In his recent address to the annual meeting of the World Federa-tion of Taiwanese Associations in Japan, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) reiterated that, "Taiwan must go its own way." He also said that, Taiwan, unlike Hong Kong and Macau, is an independent, sovereign state; that Taiwan and China are two countries; that only the 23 million people of Taiwan can decide on the country's future and that Taiwan's "own way" means freedom, human rights, democracy and peace, a way that is different from that taken by China.
Chen's remarks describe the reality of cross-strait relations, affirm Taiwan's independence and sovereignty and make Taiwan's interests the pivot of cross-strait relations. His speech has not only drawn sympathy from the international community, but also swept aside the gloom that China's denigration and humiliation has caused a majority of Taiwanese people. They feel cheered by the fact that the ruling party no longer kow-tows toward China.
Chen expressed his goodwill toward Beijing in his inauguration speech ago by raising the "five no's." Later, he proposed "cross-strait integration," opening a window for political integration between the two sides. He then gave a further demonstration of goodwill in his Tatan speech.
For all this, Chen and the DPP have come under suspicion and criticism from the public, some of whom believed that the government's concessions on cross-strait policy have encouraged China in its desire to annex Taiwan. Some DPP supporters have shifted their support to former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) and his TSU.
The government's goodwill has generated little in return from China. Beijing has clearly shown that the only choice for Taiwan is to be gobbled up through unequal negotiations based on "one China," "one country, two systems" and the principle that "Taiwan is an inseparable part of China."
With its propaganda offensives and military intimidation, China intends to suppress Taiwan's space for activity in the international community, entice its business-people to invest in China and then use them to pressure the government and erode Taiwan's financial foundations. It also bribes and sponsors pro-unification factions in Taiwan. The DPP has lost all hope in China and no longer harbors any illusion that compromise will serve the general interest.
As we race down "Taiwan's own way," however, we can't just focus on maintaining Taiwan's status quo and passively seek a distinction between China and Taiwan. Nor can we just emphasize that any change in Taiwan's future must be decided by its 23 million people through a plebiscite. Instead, we should take a long-term view, broaden Taiwan's future and march toward the path of freedom, human rights, democracy and peace. In particular, we should strive to realize the dream of most Taiwanese people -- turning Taiwan into the Switzerland of the East, enjoying lasting peace and neutrality.
Switzerland is lodged between Germany, France and Italy. Its population consists of ethnic Germans, French and Italians who belong to different religious deno-minations. Apart from domestic ethnic and religious conflicts, it has also been the target of its powerful neighbors, who have all competed to take it over.
Switzerland became a nation in the 13th century and was for a long time held together by military alliances. Its history has been one of internal strife and invasion from outside. By the 16th century, the people of Switzerland realized that only by unification of the various ethnic groups, forceful resistance to external forces and adherence to peaceful neutrality could they avoid extinction and build a wealthy and strong nation.
After one or two centuries of diplomatic negotiations and painful compromises, that peaceful armed neutrality was recognized by other nations in the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. By the time of the Congress of Vienna in 1815, Switzerland was well-versed in the international political situation and the resulting, complex balance of power.
Switzerland stressed its pacifism, its status as a permanent buffer against war and the positive implications these had for permanent international peace and was confirmed by the Congress as a permanently peaceful and neutral state. Over 200 years, Switzerland has gradually become one of the world's most beautiful, wealthy and peaceful places.
Taiwan has many similarities with Switzerland. It is situated in the region where the might of many countries converge.
Taiwan's 400-year history of foreign rule proves that it is difficult to avoid being coveted by stronger powers. First the Dutch, then the Ming and Qing dynasties, and then Japan, which used colonization of Taiwan as a stepping stone toward the South Pacific, Southeast Asia and China.
Following the World War II, China was eager make Taiwan its base for its aspirations to dominate the Asia-Pacific region. The US and Japan worried that if Taiwan fell to China, Japan's southward forays for natural resources and trade would be hindered, while the US would lose much of its advantage in the Asia-Pacific region. Russia, North and South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines and even Australia and New Zealand must therefore have quite large hopes attached to Taiwan's remaining neutral and not integrating with China.
Opinion polls regularly show that 70 to 80 percent of the people of Taiwan oppose forced integration with China and want to maintain de facto sovereignty and independence. There are several reasons for this: China's authoritarian behavior and its eagerness to invade Taiwan; average per capita income in Taiwan is about 20 times higher than in China; that there is democracy, freedom and human rights in Taiwan and the wide difference in living standards between Taiwan and China. The government should hold a referendum as soon as possible to let the people decide Taiwan's future.
Once the people have decided to maintain de facto indepen-dence, plans should be made and action taken to establish a permanently peaceful and neutral nation. Neighboring powers will need to be persuaded, so that an atmosphere can be fostered in which an international trend in favor of turning Taiwan into a "buffer country" can develop. This would ensure that China still can't just flout international opinion and she would have to accept peace.
"Switzerland in the West, Taiwan in the East" should be the new dream of the Taiwanese people. Taiwan's special geographic location, its strong industrial base and the intelligence and hard work of the people are enough to weave this dream into reality. With one China, one Taiwan, one country on each side of the Taiwan Strait, we can also wish China all the best in the pursuit of her 21st century dream.
Lee Hong-hsi is a former professor of law at National Taiwan University.
Translated by Jackie Lin and Perry Svensson
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