Not surprisingly, China's unilateral attempt to enact the so-called "anti-secession" law backfired for the government, the people of Taiwan and the international community.
Even though the pan-blue camp is keeping a low-profile regarding the legislation, most opinion polls result in an absolute objection to Beijing's unwise move. Suggested scenarios to counteract China's assertion to incorporate "non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to sabotage any hurdles toward reunification" range from mobilizing hundreds of thousand of people to protest to initiating the "defensive referendum" article of the referendum law.
Even the Mainland Affairs Council did not exclude the possibility of postponing or even terminating current policy toward China, including chartered cargo flights negotiations and the ultimate opening of direct links as further retaliation.
International observers also expressed their dissatisfaction over Beijing's disruption of the recent thaw in the cross-strait atmosphere. The Bush administration viewed the legislation as "unhelpful and something that runs counter to recent trends toward a warming in cross-strait relations." Washington has called on Beijing to reconsider the law, and opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo and determine the future of Taiwan by anything other than peaceful means.
It is imperative for the Chen Shui-bian (
While Chen and his government plan to counteract Beijing's change of the status quo -- issuing the People Liberation Army a "blank check" for attacking Taiwan as they wish -- a pressing task is to seize the opportunity by distinguishing Taiwan's peace-driven democracy with China's military-oriented and obstructionist approach to destabilize regional peace and stability.
As the US urged both sides of the Taiwan Strait to "avoid that risk beginning a cycle of reaction and counter-reaction," Taiwan should appeal to the universal values of peace and democracy as the most effective tools to garner international support.
By upholding the principles of democracy and peace, Taiwan may use the case to rebuild its twisted image as "trouble maker" in cross-strait relations. In return, Taipei can take this opportunity to convince the world that what really "separates" China and Taiwan is not the sovereignty but the degree to which democracy can be rooted and consolidated.
The main element contributing to cross-strait uncertainties is China's refusal to renounce the use of "non-peaceful means" to solve the cross-strait dispute, rather than the Taiwanese people's pursuit of democracy and freedom. If a law is passed that clearly defines a `"red line" for using force against Taiwan's independence movement or its hesitation to embrace an ultimate unification, Taiwan should ask for support from the international community, especially the US and Japan, to enhance its security and protect its hard-won democracy.
If over half a million people take to the streets in Taiwan after the NPC passes the law, it will be a manifestation of a collective will to strive for democracy and peace. And the historical meaning would be a lot more significant than the Hong Kong people's protest against Beijing's scheme to revise the Basic Law on July 1, 2003. Let the world witness how a democratic torch can light up the darkest side of China's passage of a bill for war and a disgrace to democracy.
Liu Kuan-teh is a Taipei-based political commentator.
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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