Annexation coffin
The use of the word “coffin” in a Taipei Times editorial in regard to annexation was cruel, but real (“More nails in the annexation coffin,” Feb. 26, page 8). Liberty is as important as life. As 18th-century US statesman Patrick Henry said: “Give me liberty or give me death.”
In the Jan. 14 elections, less than 7 million voters virtually approved annexation and chose death instead of liberty, knowing that President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) ambition is to achieve “eventual unification.”
It is a pity that the 6 million Taiwanese who did not vote for Ma or were too young to vote have to accept the election result — like it or not.
Taiwanese often complain that their destiny has been decided by foreigners. Historically, China’s Qing Dynasty Manchu rulers ceded Taiwan to Japan in 1895, the Japanese abandoned Taiwan like an orphan in 1945 and Americans have let the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) rule Taiwan under the Republic of China since 1945.
The KMT wanted Taiwanese to be anti-communist, called the Communist Chinese “Communist bandits” from 1945 to 1988 and imposed martial law for 38 years. In a sudden U-turn, in 2008, the KMT decided that from now on, Taiwanese must be pro-communist, treat Chinese leaders like their bosses and promote the policy that Taiwan is part of China.
The Communist Chinese, since 1949, have wanted to isolate and annex Taiwan and now threaten Taiwanese with missiles.
In contrast, the re-election of Ma was a free choice by Taiwanese — although Chinese and Americans interfered in the election. The 23 million Taiwanese have to face the consequences of their choice.
Recently, Ma said that “Taiwan will be completely different in four years.” For better or for worse, only Ma can tell what he means by “completely different.” Taiwanese have to watch every move that Ma and his administration make, in the open and behind closed doors.
Charles Hong
Columbus, Ohio
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