Based on the arguments made by the Feb. 28 editorial ("228 and cross-strait relations," Page 8) and the Insight article, ("Bei-jing's white paper power play," Page 9), I would like to further argue that Beijing is repeating its historical mistakes.
In 1895, the Ching Dynasty ceded Taiwan to Japan after losing the first Sino-Japan War. This not only indicated that Taiwan was separable and tradable as far as Beijing was concerned, but also alienated the two sides of the Strait ever since. Perhaps the separation was inevitable because China was too weak to resist Japan's demands. Yet since Taiwan was handed over due to a war which took place mostly in the Korean Peninsula, the reaction of people in Taiwan to the decision is understandable.
After World War II, China had the chance to regain control. However, as the editorial points out, "it took the Chinese nationalist government just 18 months to convince the people of Taiwan that their masters were vastly inferior, more corrupt, more lawless, and more arbitrary, than their Japanese predecessors."
The 228 Incident further contributed to the sorry state of relations. The combination of superior attitude and violent behavior toward the Taiwanese deepened the rift between "Taiwanese" and "mainlanders."
These mistakes moved Tai-wan further and further away from China. But Beijing seems unwilling either to consider what China has done in the past or to understand how people in Taiwan perceive China.
China's threat in 1996 did not work. Instead, it provoked anti-China emotion which helped President Lee to an overwhelming election victory.
Today China is again trying to influence Taiwan's presidential election by sending a threat-ening message in its white paper.
Beijing seems to have trouble remembering historical lessons.
China should learn how to attract Taiwan by showing its goodwill, honesty and sincerity, rather than its military muscle. Unfortunately, military capability might be the only thing China has to show the people of Taiwan and the rest of the world.
Johnny Chi-chen Chiang
Columbia, South Carolina
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