Although Beijing can be criticized for bringing diplomatic pressures to bear in its attempt to isolate Taiwan, the real blame falls on those who cave in to such arm-twisting. Chinese authorities have been successful in inducing host countries to block participation of Taiwan's leadership as a condition of Beijing's participation in conferences.
The most recent transgression by Chinese authorities was to refuse admission of Taiwan's representatives seeking to attend the APEC forum in Shanghai. Beijing refused to accept Taipei's nomination for the forum's leaders' summit , former vice-president Li Yuan-zu (
This is confirmed by the fact that China's Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan (唐家璇) refused to allow Taiwan's minister of economic affairs to speak at a press conference to discuss the matter. Although it is not unprecedented, hosts of an international conference seldom deny representatives from another country the right to speak. Besides the obvious undiplomatic effrontery, it is legitimate to raise questions about whether China can be counted on to play by internationally accepted rules.
In keeping with their collective display of lack of spine in response to Beijing's histrionics, none of the other members of the APEC forum issued little more than mild objections. Such unprincipled behavior speaks ill of a group that promotes the institutions that support free trade. For those who believe that being part of APEC requires support for freedom, democracy and individual rights, think again.
From Washington to the various capitals of Europe, politicians and diplomats obviously have a distinct lack of courage that leaves them bereft of principles. While encouraging the free movement of goods and services or capital, they are unwilling to go to bat to insure that law-abiding people can also travel freely. There is tragic irony in the fact that democratically elected politicians from Taiwan have more trouble traversing the globe than do terrorists bent on mass murder.
Another outrage relates to the refusal of members of the EU to grant Chen a visa to accept an award from Liberal International, a London-based global federation of liberal parties around the world. Chen was selected to be the recipient of its 2001 Prize for Freedom. Liberty International was hoping to make the presentation in Denmark during its annual meeting next month.
This honor was bestowed upon him for his efforts in promoting the struggle for freedom and democracy in Taiwan. Chen has made an enormous contribution to promoting Taiwan's democratization that culminated in the peaceful transfer of power last year.
In citing his career achievements, Liberty International recognized that Chen served on a team of defense attorneys for activists arrested in the "Kao-hsiung incident."
This was the beginning of an effective political opposition to the single-party grip of the KMT and led to the end of 40 years of martial law.
Chen's career clearly reflects the principles promoted by Liberty International that include human rights and democracy, social justice, tolerance, equality, market economy, free trade and a strong sense of international solidarity.
Despite these impeccable credentials, he cannot attend the ceremony where he would have received his prize. As Chen has suggested, he has been stripped of the freedom to travel to a free country to receive the Prize for Freedom.
Apparently, there is an unofficial rule stating that the five most important political figures in Taiwan are not to be visas even when applying for private reasons. These include the president, vice president, premier, foreign minister and defense minister.
This "understanding" exists despite the fact that Taiwan shares a belief in freedom and democracy with most of those countries that shun formal diplomatic contacts.
Denmark's refusal to grant a visa was echoed by Dutch government when the Netherlands was proposed as an alternate site. While Washington has often showed a lack of spine, Chen was able to receive a transit visa for New York on his way to Central America earlier this year.
Assisting Beijing's attempts to close off Taipei diplomatically undermines a remarkable advance for democracy in Asia while also weakening an economic powerhouse.
Those who seek to appease China are playing games with the future of the 23 million people of Taiwan who are presently free and prosperous. But they may not remain so for much longer.
Christopher Lingle is global strategist for eConoLytics.com and author of The Rise and Decline of the Asian Century.
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