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Just where did the `status quo' go?

Recently, umpteen pundits, particularly Americans, have repeatedly stated that the people of Taiwan were in favor of the "status quo." They said the Taiwanese would vote for "stability."

The implication of these dire warnings was that the KMT's Lien Chan (連戰) represented "stability," whereas Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and the DPP somehow represented "radicalism" and "instability."

What are these spin-masters making of the election results? Do we Taiwanese want the "status quo" or do we want change?

It must be obvious that we do want change -- a change for the better. We want "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." We want a fair, just and open society. We want an end to the "black gold" politics perpetuated by 54 years of KMT rule.

We also want change in our international relations. We do not want to be treated as second-class world citizens and international pariahs. We want to normalize our relations with the rest of the world.

We now live in the 21st Century. More than 50 years ago, the UN was established on the basis of respect for human rights and self-determination. There should be no place in this world anymore for 19th Century warlordism.

The KMT's "status quo" gave only a false "stability;" in reality it bore the seeds of far greater instability, by giving China the chance to maneuver Taiwan into a corner from which it would be impossible to extricate itself.

Real stability only comes from the mutual respect of people and nations for each other's rights. It is the product of fair and just rules and laws. It does not come about through appeasement.

Real stability only comes when major actors hold firm to the principles of human rights and self-determination and do not let themselves be lulled into concessions in exchange for access to a hot air balloon Chinese market.

Real stability only comes when China accepts Taiwan as a friendly neighbor, and the US and other democracies embrace us as a full member of the international community and normalize their ties with our beautiful island. That should be the new status quo.

Chen Mei-chin is the editor of Taiwan Communique, based in Washington DC.
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