The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak is serious in China. Recently, Zhang Wenkang (張文康) was removed from his position as health minister as a result. Given China's party-state unity, Zhang is considered to be officially out of the political scene. At the same time, China also announced that there would be no long holiday following the May 1 Labor Day this year. China would rather sacrifice domestic tourism and business to prevent the spread of SARS. It is clear that Beijing has already realized the dire situation SARS has put it in. As for us in Taiwan, we can no longer stay out of the fight.
Compared to other countries and regions with serious SARS outbreaks, Beijing's standards of public health and medical treatment are lower. From a humanitarian viewpoint, it would not be impertinent to help China with epidemic control and offer aid to poor patients, which are noble ways compatible with the spirit of humanity.
From our own experience and that of other countries, it would definitely cost a fortune to provide complete care and medical treatment for the patients. But as the epidemic spreads, it will certainly pose challenges to the financial and medical systems across the Taiwan Strait. China is after all a developing country, despite its rapid growth.
Although Taiwan has been described by some politicians as "a wilderness filled with suffering people," we should calmly take note that China's GDP is only three times more than Taiwan's and growth is slowing. It is now too early to say with certainty whether Beijing will be able to effectively deal with this critical situation.
Our country, of all the countries in the world, is most closely linked to China. We therefore cannot stay out of the fight against the outbreak. We, unlike people from other countries, cannot take ourselves out of China's epidemic storm. Control of the epidemic has nothing to do with our attempt to keep a "three zeros" record (zero death rate, zero evidence of international spread from Taiwan and zero infections community-acquired). China is the origin of pathogen that causes the syndrome.
For epidemic control in Taiwan, we probably have to look to the other side of the Strait and help tackle the root of the problem. Helping others means helping ourselves. It is probably unhelpful to condemn Beijing.
Taiwan has made considerable achievements in epidemic control and medical treatment is highly characteristic of what Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) calls "soft power."
Helping China deal with the problem will only strengthen Taipei's "soft national power" and demonstrate our determination to fulfill our international duties. Because the other side of the Strait could not even meet its basic international obligations by honestly reporting the progress of the outbreak, there is no need to ask which side of the Strait is doing better in fighting against the epidemic. And there is no need to answer which side is the final winner in the international community, even in the face of the other side's opposition.
Perhaps some people believe we should not poke our nose into the other side's business because of Beijing's opposition to our entry into the WHO. One of our country's basic national policies is to meet international obligations as a responsible member of the international community.
Helping the affected areas and exchanging experiences in prevention and treatment fit in with our national policy. Consequently, we should not be subject to the influence of an unjustifiable boycott by other countries and the hypocritical, cowardly manner of international organizations.
In addition, Taiwan's attempt to open up its international space and respectability is a long-term contest of wits and strengths. We should not hope and expect Beijing to show leniency or grant us special favors. As long as we fulfill our international duties, there is no need for our determination to waver in the face of Beijing's opposition.
Consequently, we should be able to provide some assistance to China. Because of the shortage of manpower for epidemic control, we can perhaps provide our experience in prevention and treatment, medical and other research results, and even some cash donations.
At the same time, we should seriously consider the possible impact of the contagion on China's society, economy and even politics.
Zhang was appointed health minister during the tenure of former president Jiang Zemin (江澤民). Now that President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) has taken over, we should not ignore the political implications of Zhang as the first Chinese official to be removed from office for public policy reasons.
We should raise epidemic prevention and control to a national level. For example, we should consider what we would do if the disease begins to spread through the military or to the outlying islands because of close contact with the other side of the Strait.
Just as President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said, providing humanitarian care and assistance to the other is the best way to ensure Taiwan's interests and safety.
Bill Chang is the former deputy director of the DPP's Chinese Affairs Department.
Translated by Grace Shaw
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