On Nov. 8, the Communist Party of China (CCP) opens its 16th National Congress, during which it will implement changes to its leadership. The fourth echelon led by Vice President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) will replace President Jiang Zemin (江澤民), National People's Congress chief Li Peng (李鵬), Prime Minister Zhu Rongji (朱鎔基) and other third-generation leaders.
Jiang, who is ambitious for great achievements, seems to have been forced to pass the torch. He is attempting to win a place next to Mao Zedong (
Compared to the rest of the world, China in the 21st Century is still a political backwater, a dictatorship where the people has been deprived of its rights, freedoms and basic human rights. Jiang has been its leader for 13 years and even though he has managed some economic achievements, national economic and social problems abound. In particular, he is enamored with political power and has not been able to undertake any democratic reforms, bestow any basic rights on the people or improve their dignity of life. His performance is not given a very high score by the international community.
China is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and one of the world's great powers. It is very productive and has vast markets, and should be respected internationally. Its behavior and policies should be models for any other country. On the contrary, however, the Chinese government is condemned by the US and the European countries for depriving its people of their freedoms and for violating their human rights -- as well as for its hegemonic behavior in threatening neighboring Taiwan, a sister nation of the same race and language.
On Sept. 5, the European Parliament passed a resolution called "Europe and Asia: A Strategic Framework for Enhanced Partnerships," where it clearly recognizes Taiwan's democratization process, suggests that the EU associate Taiwan in the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), assists Taiwanese membership in international organizations, and calls for Chinese withdrawal of its missiles in the coastal provinces across the Taiwan Strait and political dialogue leading to a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question. The resolution also requests that the European Commission open a trade office in Taiwan as soon as possible. The "European Parliament resolution on the progress achieved in the implementation of the common foreign and security policy" which was passed on Sept. 26, expresses the "deepest concern over the growing arms build-up across the Taiwan Straits and urges the Council to take a strong initiative aimed at defusing tension, facilitating the resumption of dialogue and strengthening political ties with the democratic governments in the region."
On Sept. 25 and Sept. 26, respectively, the US House of Representatives and the US Senate passed the "Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003" wherein it is clearly stated that "any resolution of the Taiwan Strait issue must be peaceful and include the assent of the people of Taiwan," that "it is the sense of the Congress that the American Institute in Taiwan and the residence of the director of the American Institute in Taiwan should publicly display the flag of the United States," and that "Taiwan shall be treated as though it were designated a major non-NATO ally." The acts also authorize and request the US president to sell Kidd-class guided missile destroyers to Taiwan.
In early October, administrative and legislative cross-party committees issued a report condemning China's dictatorship and its violations of the human rights and freedoms of its people. It also suggested that US President George W. Bush add China's human rigths record to the agenda for his meeting with Jiang on Oct. 25 and that he request that China's government initiate reforms toward political freedoms, as well as ask China to release prisoners of conscience and respect the right to religious freedom of its people.
A few years ago, every aspect of Beijing's great power diplomacy appeared to be successful. When former US president Bill Clinton visited China in June 1998, he publicly stated the "three no's" policy aimed at Taiwan, in accordance with Beijing's wishes. In 1999, in the UN Security Council, Beijing also successfully manipulated the US, the UK and France into stating their opposition to a proposal for the participation of Taiwan in the UN. Beginning last year, these countries no longer make any statements, and they no longer ignore the over 400 missiles aimed at Taiwan that China has deployed along the Taiwan Strait, threatening the 23 million citizens of Taiwan in an act of state terrorism.
The first "National Security Strategy of the United States of America," published by Bush on Sept. 20, is a great blow to a China that is attempting to initiate multi-lateral international relationships and to compete with the US for [Asian] hegemony. This strategic outline emphasizes that the US -- following the end of the Cold War -- holds massive economic and military power, and that it does not tolerate any challenges from other big powers.
The Pax Americana directed by the US superpower is a direct and sharp warning to China, since some Chinese military leaders still believe they can challenge and counterbalance the US by adopting assymetrical and unrestricted warfare. In this strategic outline, however, the US emphasizes that it will use pre-emptive strikes to deal with terrorist groups and nations threatening US interests.
Joining and coordinating with this global US strategy serves Taiwanese interests, since US constraints on the militaristic Beijing government's arms build-up have a positive effect on peace and stability in the Asian region. Taiwan therefore strongly supports the US' war on terrorism, and in next year's foreign affairs budget, NT$660 million is set off for anti-terrorist purposes. Friends should help each other, and when Bush says that he will do whatever it takes to help Taiwan defend itself, Taiwan should also do its utmost to support and coordinate with the US' war on terror. Taiwan should stand together with the US and support its various anti-terrorist measures.
Parris Chang
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