Wed, Mar 28, 2001 page8

• Editorial: Building ties with the US and Japan

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  "It is only divided by one line and Taiwan stands right on the middle point of that line."

  Anyone familiar with East Asian geopolitics who has read the article "Fan Theory" written by former US secretary of state James Baker can understand the meaning of this sentence -- and the reason why Taiwan's position is so important.

  Taiwan has been called an "unsinkable aircraft carrier," sitting as it does right on the US' defense line in the West Pacific and near the major sea lanes for oil tankers. Taiwan remains an international issue to this day mainly because the countries concerned share a common understanding about its security and a responsibility to safeguard it. Taiwan should try to fully utilize this strategic advantage and establish common strategic interests with neighboring countries. Such interests will be key to Taiwan's security and future development.

  For a country standing on a dividing line, the question of what role Taiwan should play appears to be both blurred and embarrassing. However, Taiwan's objectives and position are in fact very clear. Taiwan must rely on the US and Japan for national security and on Chinese market for economic development. This situation is in line with post-Cold War international relations -- conflict and cooperation -- what the Chinese call "mesh" (磨合), or what is called "congagement" in English. This is a basic understanding that the people of Taiwan must have. Blindly judging cross-strait relations through "pure economics" or "politicized" perspectives will inevitably result in bias.

  After long years of diplomatic impasse that has proven difficult to break, Taiwan's representative in Japan, Lo Fu-chen (羅福全), has proposed a new diplomatic policy toward Japan. In the future, Taiwan will "seek its interests in a US-Japan security alliance," Lo said. His words point at the biggest change in Taipei's Japan policy since 1972. This new thinking puts Taiwan-Japan relations in the framework of a US-Japan-Taiwan triangular relationship and strengthens Japan's role in cross-strait relations. It is worthwhile for the people of Taiwan to reflect on how to reach a consensus on this policy and realize it.

  We believe this is an encouraging change that deserves praise. The fact that Lo has come up with this new idea is praiseworthy, given Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) lack of background and experience in dealing with Japan. Like its resilient small and medium-sized enterprises, Taiwan needs to pragmatically revise its foreign policy in line with the changing international climate.

  Two years ago, several Japanese scholars proposed the establishment of a US-Japan-Taiwan-Korea military alliance, or an "Asian collective security system" to resist Chinese military expansion and hegemony. What Beijing fears the most is a Theater Missile Defense encirclement jointly set up by the US, Japan and Taiwan, because such a system could incapacitate China's missiles and nuclear weapons.

  No matter how fast China's economy is growing and absorbing resources from surrounding countries, Taiwan and its allies cannot let down their guard as long as China does not abandon communism. As long as China is ruled by an irrational and undemocratic regime that has aggressive policies, the country will remain a threat in Asia. In the context of congagement, where else can Taiwan turn to ensure its survival and security if it does not build an alliance with the US and Japan?
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