A local scholar cautioned yesterday that if Taiwan is deprived of necessary resources for defending itself, the political and economic order in the region could be seriously affected. Even the very countries who would be best served by helping the island could feel the impact.
"If the United States and Japan rule Taiwan out of their political arrangements for the Asia-Pacific region, or if they consider Taiwan a `trouble-maker' and shun Taiwan in such affairs, Taiwan will naturally develop a sense of insecurity," said Tung Li-wen (
"Under these circumstances, Taiwan will try to seek a way out," Tung said.
"This will be detrimental to arrangements made by the US and Japan, and even to stability across the Taiwan Strait."
"China now identifies itself as a `big' country and adopts accordingly a `big country diplomacy' toward other countries, especially Taiwan," Tung said yesterday at a symposium, called "East-Asian development and cooperation."
"Only after bringing Taiwan under control can China really become a `major' country and develop the so-called `Great China,' or a `League of Chinese Nations,' or `Great Chinese Economic Circle,'" he said.
"Taiwan has now been driven into a corner by China, and therefore feels increasing pressure over its survival in the international community," Tung added.
"Taiwan does not have many choices on hand. All it can do is either completely surrender (to China) or to openly defy it," he added.
"Taiwan cannot tolerate any more ambiguity [about its status,] since such ambiguity will only serve to accelerate moves toward independence and autonomy."
Such ambiguity, say scholars, was clarified to some extent in July by President Lee Teng-hui (
Lee's move was angrily received, however, by Beijing, which has railed almost daily against what it perceives as "splittism" by Lee, and reportedly put its military on the alert for exercises similar to those held in 1995 and 1996.
Mainland Affairs Council Vice Chairman Lin Chong-pin (
"China has to realize that what the Republic of China on Taiwan gets is support from the people, not historical continuity," he added.
Huang Jing (
"First, Taiwan can utilize the economic globalization trend to create an inter-dependence with other countries, especially those in the Asia-Pacific region," said Huang.
"Taiwan can also concentrate on improving ties with China, especially with the coastal provinces, so as to construct a close mutual reliance relationship," he said.
"Or else, Taiwan can take advantage of its recognized status in the international society as a member of `the rich men's club' to exert its influence over other countries," he added.
Huang said that he supports Taiwan's use of money to encourage countries to set up diplomatic ties with the island, since even money-strapped countries like China and Russia are also "willing to spend money" for the same cause.
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