October 26, 2002

ON THE OTHER HAND, A VERY BAD MOMENT:

Bush says does not support independence for Taiwan (Reuters, 26 October, 2002)
U.S. President George W. Bush said on Friday the United States would use its influence to ensure China and Taiwan settle their differences peacefully and promised to make it clear to Taipei that Washington does not support independence.

In a news conference with Chinese President Jiang Zemin, Bush said the United States stood by the "one China" policy, which acknowledges that Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of China.

"The 'one China' policy means that the issue ought to be resolved peacefully," Bush said.

"We've got influence with some in the region. We intend to make sure that the issue is resolved peacefully, and that includes making it clear that we do not support independence," Bush added.


No matter the demands of realpolitik, Mr. Bush should never speak so favorably of an enemy at the expense of a friend. But even what he said would have been okay had he added one fairly simple thing: "The 'one China' of which I speak will be a free nation like Taiwan, not a dictatorship like the PRC. And until the mainland is free, democratic and pluralistic, we will continue to help our friends in Taiwan defend themselves."
Posted by Orrin Judd at October 26, 2002 6:44 AM
Comments

Americans do not know any history.



China also claimed suzerainty over Korea (the

emperor wrote a letter to President Arthur

saying so in 1882). Are we to hand over

Korea at China's demand?



Anyhow, I don't believe in one China anyway.

China has not usually been a unitary state,

there is no evidence that any Chinese has

figured out how to govern the area as a

unitary state and when the mandate of

heaven is withdrawn from the People's Army,

the probable result will be civil war, mushroom

local states, economic collapse.



That's how it has always worked out in the

past.

Posted by: Harry at October 26, 2002 1:01 PM

And will again, hopefully soon.

Posted by: oj at October 26, 2002 1:51 PM

Nothing wrong with the one China policy if Taiwan has the upper hand. Perhaps China and the US say the same thing but mean something different.

Posted by: M. Simon at October 27, 2002 9:13 AM
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