March 29, 2005
ENOUGH MAKE BELIEVE:
Taiwan democracy rises above bickering (Kathrin Hille, March 27 2005, Financial Times)
It was a good weekend for Liao Wen-yen. A massive protest in Taipei on Saturday against China's anti-secession law, which organisers said drew 1m people on to the streets, provided the garbage truck driver who collects banners and posters from demonstrations and election rallies with many new trophies. [...][P]articipants and political observers said the peaceful gathering was the most powerful statement Taiwan could make. David Lin, a marketing manager at a local telecoms company who took part in the march, said he decided to come although he did not support President Chen Shui-bian.
“I feel his rhetoric about loving Taiwan and the threat from China is somewhat exaggerated. But if we don't protest against the mainland passing a law which is in total denial of reality that [Taiwan is] not a Chinese province but a country of our own we will become [the world's] laughing stock.” Other participants said the different views were the best proof of Taiwan's democratic way of life. “If we were part of China, we could not possibly be doing this today,” said Angela Yeh, a sales agent who had come with her family. China's state-controlled media condemned the event. The Xinhua news agency said: “Taiwan independence forces were trying to stir up popular resentment against China, and organising a political carnival was a useless waste of money.”
As Taiwan enters a period of campaigning ahead of elections for the National Assembly in early May, the DPP can be expected to use the pictures and slogans from the demonstration to increase voter turnout.
But observers have also expressed relief that the ruling party has stayed clear of radical anti-China moves.
“It is encouraging that the DPP has managed to mobilise people without having emotions get out of hand,” said Emile Sheng, of Soochow University in Taipei.
It's long past time for Taiwan to get out of hand and declare itself a completely separate nation from China. Posted by Orrin Judd at March 29, 2005 12:00 AM
The might be a dangerous bluff to call.
Posted by: Brandon at March 29, 2005 8:29 AMWhen the old men running China die, I think there will be a return to one China with Taiwan taking the lead in China's emergence as a strong capitalistic country. Asia will become democratic with India and China showing the way bringing prosperity to the traditionally wretched poor people in that part of the world.
China has nothing to gain by attacking Taiwan. Trade, not military might, is what brings wealth to nations in the 21st century.
I'm very optimistic about this. I've known many Taiwanese and they think of themselves as displaced Chinese.
Posted by: erp at March 29, 2005 8:36 AMThe mainland Chinese are extremely nationalistic, will countenance violence, and are unforgiving. Yet as they get more freedom, the culture will improve. Time is on Taiwan's side. They must avoid provocation while simultaneously avoid any signs of weakness that might encourage Chinese aggression.
I think they're handling it reasonably. We need to stand by them. At the same time, holding the Taiwan independence card in reserve gives us some bargaining power against China's moves through North Korea. The card needs to be played at the right time. We're in a weak position right now because the South Koreans elected a communist as their president.
Posted by: pj at March 29, 2005 9:54 AMEnough with treating the outbursts of tyrants as serious. Taiwan should point out the obvious fact that it does not need to declare itself independent of the PRC as that is already the situation. They could then ask the PRC if it proposes to change that fact, and if so how. Meanwhile, Taiwan could propose a formula whereby the PRC could join Taiwan on the basis of culture, rule of law, and popular government.
Posted by: Luciferous at March 29, 2005 10:00 AMThe problem with Taiwan not declaring itselgf independent of the PRC is that it still considers itself the legitimate government of all of China. Therefore, it can't base its claims of independence by doing nothing. Until it divests itself of their previous official declarations of leading all of China, it cannot claim to be independent from China.
Posted by: Chris Durnell at March 29, 2005 10:20 AMChris Durnell--
Entirely true, but the KMT and others should give up on that foolish fantasy as well. They especially should give up on their claims to Outer Mongolia; even the PRC has done that.
Posted by: John Thacker at March 29, 2005 5:17 PM