John Hsieh’s contradictions
Thank you to John Hsieh for his interesting historical lecture and informative statement regarding the geopolitics of Taiwan, especially given one of the precious examples he asserted in order to corroborate the fact that Taiwan is not China: The apology by Madonna’s DJ, Mary Mac, during a recent concert, as this entertainer is certainly a crucial reference in this domain (Letter, Feb. 15, page 8).
This time Hsieh has decided to make several clarifications to confirm that the island is not a sovereign territory: “The ROC [Republic of China], which is not recognized as a sovereign nation ... sovereignty over Taiwan,” “Neither the ROC nor the PRC ... sovereignty over Taiwan,” “The KMT has been known as the ROC ... not recognized as an independent, sovereign nation.”
Amazingly, this stance seems to be in contradiction to what he has always appeared to defend so far and to what most of his compatriots on the island have blathered regardless their political side.
So, should we conclude that Taiwan is now neither a sovereign nation nor an independent territory and forget what Hsieh has always claimed before?
This might create more confusion for the ignorant Western readers that we are.
Hsieh seems to have many ideas about Taiwan, but hardly ever gets the answers.
Furthermore, when he asserts that “the British government mistook Taiwan for the Republic of China,” it implies that either he is pretending to be naive, or worse, he considers the British Foreign Office as a bureau of imbeciles.
No, Hsieh, and to your chagrin, this is not what the British government disclosed: “An intermingled title claim of nation... simply tells the world that Taiwan is a part of China.”
On the contrary, the authorities on the island have always religiously clung to these two names, the ROC or Taiwan (implicitly meaning “the nation of Taiwan”). Both terms are still illegitimate regarding the international legal status of the island, yet the international community extends courtesy and privileges to its inhabitants when they travel abroad and they sure should be grateful. Moreover, the British Foreign Office abides by its treaty of recognition with the People’s Republic of China and does not need to be told off whatsoever.
Unless president-elect Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) during her tenure decides to settle things clearly with fortitude and, most importantly, coherence with what the people of the island pretend to be, the situation stays the same and the international status of Taiwan is confirmed accordingly.
Once again it is clearly up to the people in Taiwan to decide for their own future — as they always repeat it — and no foreign nation should interfere in their choice. However, the people in Taiwan must also acknowledge and respect the fact that the international community honors its respective treaties with China and will not override them.
Are you sure, Hsieh, that the “Taiwanese should watch carefully what the American Institute in Taiwan or the US Department of State says?”
We understand the importance of the Taiwan Relations Act for the islanders, but this hasty conclusion would insinuate doubts about the real autonomy of the governing authorities in Taiwan and clearly define the status of the island as a mere US protectorate, which is obviously not what the locals are claiming.
Finally, as Hsieh said it with much pertinence at the end of his letter— “hopefully president-elect Tsai ... can work out with China” — since the core of the problem remains a domestic affair.
Alexi Sanders
Paris, France
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