Unification issue can wait: panel

Academics yesterday the debate over unification and independence was not an issue that needs an immediate solution, and that it might be better to wait and see what the future holds before making any commitments. In the meantime, Taiwan should strive to develop its own cultural symbols and establish a national identity to help its people form a bond.

Dean the National Central University Graduate Institute for Hakka Social and Culture Studies Liu A-ron (劉阿榮) said that both the unification and independence camps have their supporters in Taiwan, and this was not an issue that needs an urgent solution.

"Besides, how the international community views Taiwan's status is not something we can decide by ourselves. Compared with wasting our energy on political infighting, it is better to wait and see what the future holds for us," Liu said.

Liu said Taiwanese society should be more respectful about the differences between ethnic groups.

"It was very difficult to try to merge ethnic groups which came to Taiwan at different times and had disparate cultures during our nation's dictatorial period, and the effort left many bitter memories. To create homogeneity is unthinkable now, during a democratic period of our history -- a forced integration is impossible. But we should still encourage the voluntary, equal and mutually beneficial integration which occurs as a result of such things as interracial marriage and cultural exchanges between the ethnic groups," Liu said.

"Right now Taiwanese politicians do everything out of pragmatic calculations of what will garner the most votes, so every party espouses `harmony among all ethnic groups' as a campaign slogan. But in reality, politicians still divide the country ethnically through demagoguery and manipulation of ethnic stereotypes at crucial moments to further their own power," he said.

"This is a most worrying phenomenon," he said.

Liu the comments during a seminar held by the Foundation of National Development and Research (國家展望文教基金會) and Taiwan Heart (台灣心會). The two organizations are holding a series of "Facing Globalization & Thinking Beyond 2008" seminars this month and next month, and yesterday the seminar focused on the humanities and society.

Meanwhile, presidential advisor Lee Chiao (李喬), who is a well-respected Hakka author, suggested the nation should look for its cultural symbols using Taiwan as the common signifier to unite Taiwanese people. This can help Taiwanese people bond together, making them distinct from Chinese people.

"Shaping various cultural symbols using Taiwan as the common signifier is the pinnacle of culture-construction. Creating symbols matching Taiwan's ecology, historical experience and values could be a major culture-building project. Taiwan could name a national tree and flower, designate Yushan (玉山) as the country's holy mountain and the Tamshui River could be a symbol representing Taiwanese people's nostalgia," Lee said.

"The nation's symbols are a reflection of Taiwanese people's spiritual world, and their ideals and hopes. We should create various Taiwanese symbols for people to look up to and form a bond together," he said.

Lee that Taiwan had a completely different political and economic climate from China, and it aimed to pursue a very different course of social and political development in the future as well.

For Taiwan to build a unique culture, its people have to understand that and acknowledge the differences between the two cultures, he said.