What a very merry Christmas it would have been today for people around the world had the recent climate talks in Copenhagen produced the treaty everyone was hoping for.
Rather than the 80 percent reduction in emissions by 2050, legally binding targets and the thorough emissions verification system that had been talked about, we were instead treated to an almighty dollop of fudge — the entirely wrong variety for the festive season.
The results were thoroughly depressing for those expecting positive collective action from supposedly wise world leaders on what is the most pressing problem ever faced by humankind.
Of course, even if a deal had been reached on legally binding targets, there was always the possibility, given the outcome of the Kyoto Protocol, that many countries would fail to meet them. But at least an ambitious agreement would have been a real statement of intent.
Instead, the summit produced a woolly jumble of intentions without targets or a deadline for a binding treaty.
The pantomime villain, according to those present at the talks, was China, which rejected outright the inclusion of targets, protecting its agenda to continue economic growth without the limits that legally binding cuts could pose.
A report in the Guardian newspaper revealed that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (溫家寶) was not even present at the crucial final negotiating session. Instead, he sent a second-tier foreign ministry staffer to the talks, which in Chinese culture amounted to a crude snub to the other world leaders present and a sign that China was never considering signing up to any targets.
It was always the case that rich and powerful countries — including China — were not going to sign up to a deal that would harm their interests, and for that other countries must also take a share of the blame, but the summit’s disappointing conclusion has highlighted the problem of dealing with a growing world power that answers to no one.
As an authoritarian state, China doesn’t have to court public opinion and is under no pressure whatsoever from NGOs, while on a global scale its increasing economic leverage over other rich countries means it can thumb its nose at the global community — behavior that was on full display in the Danish capital.
Hopefully Copenhagen can also serve as another demonstration of the futility of the oft-espoused theory that increased participation in the global community and economy can “change” China.
It is now more than 30 years since Beijing began its “reform and opening” policy, and while many millions have been lifted out of poverty, the billions of dollars poured into China by foreign countries and industry have only strengthened the Chinese Communist Party’s grip on domestic power.
Rather than becoming a “responsible stakeholder” as the US government hoped, Beijing has instead become its main rival, distracting Washington with unproductive “help” on issues like North Korea and Iran while using its newfound wealth to develop a network of client states around the world — most notably in Africa.
Copenhagen showed that China now feels confident enough to flex its muscles on the world stage in full view of everyone, using its new friends to do its dirty work while leaving the global community — a la Dr Frankenstein — to rue the monster they have created.
It was a display that should make democratic countries around the world — including Taiwan — very, very afraid.
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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