Thu, Apr 01, 2004 page8

• Editorial: Chinese bribery, Taiwanese aid

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  As the conflict over the presidential election continued, China on Tuesday declared that it had established relations with one of Taiwan's diplomatic allies, Dominica. This was an attempt to shame President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), who now enjoys the support of a majority of Taiwanese, and to vent some of the frustration China feels about Chen's re-election.

  This is no new trick. Anyone familiar with diplomatic affairs understood that China would find some way to take revenge. It was simply a question of where it would apply its efforts.

  We are reminded that Liberia severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan a mere three days after last year's Double Ten National Day celebrations. Word later came from Liberia that China had wanted the decision to be announced on Oct. 10 to produce maximum embarrassment for Taiwan, but Liberia chose to make the announcement on the 13th since it had no intention of also ending its friendly relations with Taiwan.

  Although we think it shameful that the largest country in East Asia would resort to such treacherous diplomatic behavior, this has long been the norm. As Taiwan knows from its experience in the international arena, China is small-minded in its behavior, although it claims to be an example of benevolence and morality. It really would be strange if Beijing didn't try to avenge Chen's re-election. But this act of pettiness in fact puts the lie to China's claim that it didn't care who won the election.

  China, a face-loving country, finds it a loss of face that Chen, despite all challenges, managed to organize the referendum and win the hard-fought campaign. China thus poured financial aid into Taiwan's ally to regain some of its beloved face.

  This is certainly regrettable. Not long ago, Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) promised to work to create an opportunity for peaceful cross-strait dialogue. His remarks, so refreshing, gave us hope that he intended to leave past Chinese sabre-rattling behind.

  However, trust has once again been sabotaged by this sneaky move from Beijing. We cannot but wonder if Hu is truly different from his predecessors, or if he only is better at applying the cosmetic of rhetoric.

  Putting aside the cross-strait issue, Taiwan's contribution to developing countries is widely acknowledged. Tired of raising the stakes in this game with China, Taiwan has changed the way it aids its allies. Starting with former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), Taiwan stopped giving fish to its allies and instead started teaching them how to fish. In particular, a lot has been achieved in helping underdeveloped countries develop farming and fishing technologies.

  Last year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cooperated with a publisher to produce a bilingual book entitled Greening the Sahel: The Taiwan Experience in Burkina Faso (西非荒漠上的臺灣奇蹟). The book deeply moved a senior Western diplomat. He said the key to the success of Taiwan's agricultural technical teams in West Africa is that they roll up their sleeves, work in the fields and share hardships with local farmers. His country had invested in countless aid projects in West Africa which had all been frustrating because their technicians simply directed local farmers from the comfort of their air-conditioned offices.

  We are not trying to toot our own horn by praising the achievements of Taiwan's agricultural technical teams. Rather, we are reminding the international community that although Taiwan's main diplomatic goal is its international survival space, its other, equally important diplomatic goal, is to contribute to progress in the underdeveloped world.

  Taiwan has never forgotten the financial and technical aid provided by the UN and the US when we experienced hardship. In fact, the nation's economic miracle is founded on the generous assistance provided by the international community. Chinese pressure will never make us forget our promises.
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