Thu, Oct 17, 2002 page8

• China undermines its legitimacy

  • By Chen Hurng-yu 陳鴻瑜
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  After China took its seat at the UN in 1971, its diplomatic allies have gradually increased in number, while those of Taiwan have decreased. The situation reflects the reality of the balance of power and influence between a large state and a small one: Taiwan's strength simply cannot match that of China.

  Ever since 1971, China has vehemently promoted its "one China" slogan. Under the dictates of this phrase, China has sought to prevent Taiwan's involvement in the international community by intimidating, and protesting against, countries that have official ties with Taiwan. In pursuit of the objective of impeding Taiwan's diplomatic efforts, China has shown scant regard for its international image and for the finer points of protocol and basic courtesy in diplomatic affairs.

  In applying pressure on other states over the "one China" principle, China has not hesitated to lower itself by thanking countries for standing by that principle. The most laughable examples of this occur when Chinese leaders visit Southeast Asian countries such as Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia, where they never forget to thank these countries for doing so. This reveals the truth of China's lack of confidence in her legitimacy and her consequent need for support and recognition from small countries. This behavior is incredible. After more than 100 years, the Beijing government, representing present-day China, finds it necessary to plead for recognition and support from countries that were vassal states of China during the Qing dynasty.

  How has China employed the "one China" principle as a talisman against Taiwan? It has done so by establishing, as a condition of its relations with other states and in order to prevent interference by those states, the notion that Taiwan is an integral part of China. But as members of the world community know, Taiwan's political framework is different from that of China. Visiting Taiwan does not require the consent of China, and vice versa. Both have their governments and sovereign rights. In the face of protests from China, the international community must accept the "one China" argument. But the principle is absurd and irrational as far as the international community is concerned. Which country does not know that the Chinese communist government is the ruling regime in the territory known as "China?" There is indeed only one "China," not two. Taiwan's idea of "China" is fictitious. The Beijing government has fallen into a quagmire in which it questions its own legitimacy and challenges a purely fictitious China.

  To reflect reality, Taiwan's policies have been modified drastically. Constitutional government was restored after the Temporary Provisions Effective During the Period of Communist Rebellion were repealed in 1992. Taiwan has granted indirect recognition of the communist government's legitimacy, no longer regarding the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as a rebellious organization.

  China, however, has declined the treaties that have been proposed to normalize relations between the two sides. Instead, China has continued what it believes is a civil war. It is ridiculous for Beijing to seek to make the "one China" principle a reality by way of civil war, expanding its deployment of missiles in Fujian Province and simulating cross-strait military conflict. Beijing's continuing provocation and its efforts to damage Taiwan's diplomatic relations are a perfect reflection of China's hegemonic ambitions.

  Taiwan cannot match China for power and influence in international politics, but Taiwan has many sympathizers, many of whom remain anonymous because of Chinese pressure. The CCP cannot afford to be complacent by allowing itself to become increasingly a platform for the advancement of its more hawkish officials. If the CCP continues to block Taiwan's diplomatic activities, Taiwan will have no choice but to react. In such circumstances, Taiwan will not be the only victim. The world knows that Taiwan's chances of victory in any war with China are minimal, but the consequences of even one country withdrawing recognition are much greater for China than for Taiwan.

  A permanent member of the UN Security Council with the responsibility for ensuring world peace that that confers, China is a vast country of nearly 1.3 billion people. China's performance in international politics has been disappointing. In Southeast Asia, intimidation takes precedence over cooperation. In a display of Beijing's misunderstanding of, and opposition to, the Western view of human rights, President Jiang Zemin (江澤民) actually debated visiting US president Bill Clinton on national television.

  If Beijing is incapable of providing foreign aid on grounds of pure humanitarianism, instead pursuing only strategic ends whenever possible, it will be difficult for it to play a leadership role in Southeast Asia, much less in the international community. Most nations accept the universal standard of human rights and orient themselves toward modern world culture. Only a few countries are exceptions to this.

  As the CCP's 16th National Congress is to convene soon and new leaders are expected to emerge, the sway generated by the old generation will gradually dissipate. The new generation of leaders must alter its policy toward Taiwan. They must return to reality and should not pose as a traditional Chinese imperial court. They should not repeat the mistakes that Chinese emperors have made throughout history as regards Korea and Vietnam.

  If the CCP continues to oppress and restrain Taiwan's diplomatic endeavors, it is certain that China's legitimacy will remain questionable despite its predominance. China's international prestige will also be jeopardized, because the world knows that China is still struggling for legitimacy. China can break away from its past only if the two sides of the Taiwan Strait get along peacefully and help and guide each other.

  Chen Hurng-yu is a professor with the department of history at National Chengchi University.

  Translated by Grace Shaw
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