China dangerous, Lu warns

Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) yesterday urged the public to be vigilant as the nation faces attempts by China to subjugate Taiwan and marginalize it in the eyes of the world.

Speaking at a training seminar for business executives, she said China's shadow has had great an impact on Taiwan, noting that Taiwan businessmen have invested more than US$30 billion in the country so far, and cross-strait industrial cooperation has continued to widen, with Taiwan's high-tech industry gradually making inroads into China's midwest.

Cross-strait financial cooperation has also increased, she said, adding that Beijing has given the approval for two Taiwan banks, 12 securities companies, and five insurance companies to set up in China.

She also said that bilateral trade between the two sides of the Strait has accumulated to US$250 billion as of June 2002 since 1988, with Taiwan enjoying a trade surplus of US$160 billion. China has overtaken the US to become the biggest export market of Taiwan.

Lu urged the public to be vigilant, especially in view of Beijing's hegemonic attitude and the geological proximity of the two sides, on the issues of direct trade, postal and transportation links with China.

She divulged that Chinese Vice Prime Minister Qian Qichen (錢其琛) had recently instructed officials in coastal areas to enhance Taiwan people's identification with China through economic exchanges to check Taiwan independence sentiments and deepen Taiwan's dependence on China.

Lu stressed that direct transportation will not only involve the issue of cost cutting, but that Taiwan will have to pay the price in economics, politics and other areas and the government needs to carefully evaluate the issue.

On the challenge of being marginalized, Lu said that Taiwan has almost no diplomatic allies in Asia, and it is barred from attending the Europe-Asia Summit. If the situation continues, Taiwan will not only find it difficult to maneuver in Asia, it will also be restricted to having exchanges with Europe in trade and cultural aspects.

Faced with the challenge of becoming relying too heavily on China, Lu urged the public to use their wisdom and creativity, saying that Taiwan should be a classic example of a country rich in technology -- a nation which is "small, but beautiful and strong."

Lu stressed that Taiwan is already a member of the APEC forum and the WTO and it should promote its experiences through APEC so that other Asian economies and nations can benefit and sell its superior products to the world under the framework of the WTO, so that Taiwan will become an indispensable member of the world community.