China recently proposed drawing up an "anti-secession" law, which is basically a unification law. The target of this law is Taiwan.
For many years now, each side of the Taiwan Strait has developed in their own way, one as a free country and the other as an authoritarian one.
Those in Taiwan who oppose China's attempts to achieve hegemony have called for the formulation of an "anti-annexation" law, and six delegations have been planned to explain to people in the US, Asia and Europe that China is using the law against Taiwan, and that in doing so it is altering the status quo and putting regional peace at risk.
A few days ago, Taiwan and China came to an agreement over charter flights for the Lunar New Year. These are direct transport links in all but name. Despite the fact that China still has 600 missiles targeting Taiwan, and that it is drawing up an anti-secession law to wage a war against Taiwan through legal means, both the government and the opposition are delighted with the deal. With this kind of attitude, how can we even talk about opposing the anti-secession law? China has consistently insisted that the flights are "domestic," which is just a consequence of their "one China" principle.
In the past, political figures who called for protecting the Republic of China have now shifted from opposing the People's Republic of China to toadying up to it. They have recognized a thief as their father, and even go so far as to declare "long live [Chinese President] Hu Jintao (
Reports indicate that there are now over 67,000 Chinese spies operating in Taiwan. Even as the US is increasing its support for Taiwan, we ourselves are failing to be self-reliant, and instead are willing to flirt with Beijing. This is degrading.
From former president Lee Teng-hui's (
Taiwan must choose between becoming self-reliant or becoming slaves of a communist regime. In his book How We Lost the Vietnam War, former prime minister of the Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Cau Ky said that his regime's defeat was a crime committed by the US. But in fact, the former Republic of Vietnam must bear considerable responsibility for the defeat. Even with all the manpower and the material support the US provided, the South Vietnamese government was unable to become self-reliant. This is what brought about their defeat.
Rampant defeatism and the opposition's rejection of the US arms bill has led the US to doubt Taiwan's commitment to holding off an invasion. Now, with calls for "three links," Lee's "no haste, be patient" approach has been abandoned in favor of a "go west" policy.
This has been called "efficient management," but it is all hot air. For all we are doing is strengthening China's economy at the expense of our own, and helping them build missiles that can be used to target us. We will get what we deserve.
In the face of China's anti-secession law, all politicians -- whatever their affiliation -- should think deeply about the nation's future and not fall victim to dangerous illusions.
Tseng Chao-chang is chairman of the National Bar Association
Translated by Ian Bartholomew
To The Honorable Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜): We would like to extend our sincerest regards to you for representing Taiwan at the inauguration of US President Donald Trump on Monday. The Taiwanese-American community was delighted to see that Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan speaker not only received an invitation to attend the event, but successfully made the trip to the US. We sincerely hope that you took this rare opportunity to share Taiwan’s achievements in freedom, democracy and economic development with delegations from other countries. In recent years, Taiwan’s economic growth and world-leading technology industry have been a source of pride for Taiwanese-Americans.
Next week, the nation is to celebrate the Lunar New Year break. Unfortunately, cold winds are a-blowing, literally and figuratively. The Central Weather Administration has warned of an approaching cold air mass, while obstinate winds of chaos eddy around the Legislative Yuan. English theologian Thomas Fuller optimistically pointed out in 1650 that “it’s always darkest before the dawn.” We could paraphrase by saying the coldest days are just before the renewed hope of spring. However, one must temper any optimism about the damage being done in the legislature by the opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), under
To our readers: Due to the Lunar New Year holiday, from Sunday, Jan. 26, through Sunday, Feb. 2, the Taipei Times will have a reduced format without our regular editorials and opinion pieces. From Tuesday to Saturday the paper will not be delivered to subscribers, but will be available for purchase at convenience stores. Subscribers will receive the editions they missed once normal distribution resumes on Sunday, Feb. 2. The paper returns to its usual format on Monday, Feb. 3, when our regular editorials and opinion pieces will also be resumed.
This year would mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the India Taipei Association (ITA) in Taipei and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in New Delhi. From the vision of “Look East” in the 1990s, India’s policy has evolved into a resolute “Act East,” which complements Taiwan’s “New Southbound Policy.” In these three decades, India and Taiwan have forged a rare partnership — one rooted in shared democratic values, a commitment to openness and pluralism, and clear complementarities in trade and technology. The government of India has rolled out the red carpet for Taiwanese investors with attractive financial incentives
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