Angels and demons
Amidst the furor surrounding the meeting of a certain two presidents, I only have this to say: If you make a deal with the devil, you usually regret it later.
I want to add a few thoughts to my suggestion that a rebranding of Taiwan would greatly improve the nation’s international recognition and thus its “international space,” but more importantly, substantially improve the health and well-being of its citizens (“Long live the Turquoise Republic,” Sept. 29, page 12).
Having lived in Copenhagen for three years and in Taipei for five years, I believe I am well placed to expand on a recent article about how Taiwan could learn from Denmark (“What Denmark has to offer Bernie Sanders and the rest of us,” Oct. 22, page 9).
First, aim to free cities of cars, air and noise pollution by designing cities which rely mainly on public transport, walking and bicycling with electric scooters and taxis thrown in (“Wonderful Copenhagen,” Dec. 7, 2010, page 8), and further improve urban quality of life by increasing the number of green spaces such as green roofs, urban parks and street trees (“Nature has answers to problems,” Dec. 13, 2009, page 8).
Naturally, air pollution and climate change must also be battled by changing to renewable energies (“Nuclear is no answer,” March 28, 2011, page 8). Again, Denmark is a global leader in this regard (“The tectonic shifts underpinning the world’s energy revolution,” Nov. 8, page 9).
Besides all the environmental and job creation benefits, producing renewable energy domestically would greatly increase energy security — if China was ever to blockade Taiwan’s ports, the nation would still be able to function without fossil fuel imports.
Denmark is one of the world’s most equal-income nations with very high tax rates supported by its citizens, because of the many benefits they enjoy in return (“Tea Party unwelcome,” June 22, 2010, page 8). An excellent recent article addressed how to achieve more wealth equality in Taiwan (“Tax reform vital for wealth equality,” Nov. 8, page 8).
Finally, ensure the safety and welfare of those with little or no political power such as children, minorities, animals, and even drug addicts and criminals (“Abolishing executions safeguards our rights,” April 9, 2010, page 8).
People around the world would notice if Taiwan became a beacon of creativity, diversity, sustainability and tolerance by, for example, allowing LGBT citizens to enjoy equal rights, including marriage.
Such changes would excite global media coverage, as Taiwan would distance itself from China and align itself with those nations which abide by democracy and sustainable development.
Unlike bullies such as China, Russia or the US, who apparently can think of nothing better than to waste their money on ever greater military might, small nations like Denmark and Taiwan can shine by leading the way toward a different vision of the future — that of environmentally sustainable and economically fair societies which foster peace and human rights in the world.
The next government has the chance to create a nation that shines so brightly next to the darkness that is China that the world would notice the little star no matter how large the black hole of tyranny is next to it.
Bruno Walther
Taipei
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