Historically, in Taiwan, and in present-day China, many people advocate the idea of a “great Chinese nation.”
It is not worth arguing with extremists to say that the so-called “great Chinese nation” is a fabricated political myth rather than an academic term. Rather, they should read the following excerpt from Chinese writer Lin Yutang’s (林語堂) book My Country and My People:
“It is also inevitable that I should offend many writers about China, especially my own countrymen and great patriots. These great patriots — I have nothing to do with them, for their god is not my god, and their patriotism is not my patriotism. Perhaps I, too, love my own country, but I take care to conceal it before them, for one may wear the cloak of patriotism to tatters and in these tatters be paraded through the city streets to death, in China or the rest of the world.”
Lin’s words of caution have clearly fallen on deaf ears.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime constantly uses political language such as the “China dream” to mask its authoritarianism and justify its intent to invade Taiwan. In the past few years, it has manufactured more political rhetoric like: “Taiwan independence diehards.”
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) labeled United Microelectronics Corp founder Robert Tsao (曹興誠) a “Taiwan independence” diehard for asserting that Taiwan must be independent to safeguard its democratic freedoms.
The TAO accused Tsao of harming the interests of “compatriots on either side of the Taiwan Strait” and those fundamental to the Chinese nation, threatening to severely punish him — clearly an act of intimidation.
However, would punishing “Taiwan independence diehards” truly fulfill the so-called “China dream”?
An unverified rumor has circulated online that when US president-elect Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) had a telephone call following Trump’s election victory this month, Trump spoke to Xi in a direct manner, thanking him and saying that he has always regarded him as a good friend, but discouraging him from invading Taiwan and supporting foreign wars once he enters the White House.
That is his bottom line, Trump said, emphasizing his need to achieve peace while president.
Trump also apparently said that Xi should not invade Taiwan, because a war would ruin the production chain in the Indo-Pacific region, thereby harming the US economy and causing him to fail.
Trump allegedly said that if Xi causes him to fail, he would make China pay an unbearable price.
If China wants something, it should bring its requests to the discussion table rather than using guns, he said.
Trump reportedly said that if China uses guns, the US would make sure it loses its guns.
After listening to the translation and being faced with this moral dilemma, Xi was momentarily speechless. After a pause, he reportedly said just one sentence: “The Chinese people love peace.”
Regardless of the veracity of the account, it certainly matches Trump’s straightforward and outspoken style, and is also consistent with Xi’s tendency to put up a facade in following China’s cultural emphasis on keeping up appearances.
Trump tends to follow his word, but does the CCP truly love peace? It claims to love peace, yet it threatens forced “reunification” with Taiwan, even if it means taking the nation with no living soul surviving on it.
It also pressures Xinjiang and Tibet.
Recently, a Taiwanese was detained for three days simply for flashing a peace sign at Tiananmen Square — certainly not a move that would leave a “peace-loving” impression.
Does China really wish to achieve the “China dream”? Here are a few concrete and effective methods it could do so:
First, stop promoting the radical, nationalist myth of a “Chinese nation.” Do not be like those who, in the words of Lin, “wear the cloak of patriotism to tatters.” Stop the spread of nationalist hatred toward Japan, the US and a free Taiwan. Do not make yourselves enemies of the free world.
Abandon one-party rule, lift bans on rival political parties and implement democratic politics. It would not hurt to invite the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) back to China to compete on equal grounds with the CCP to obtain power through an electoral process. If the KMT does not wish to return to China, that would prove its claim to represent the Chinese people as nothing more than a form of self-deception.
Treat Taiwan as an equal, enjoying mutual economic benefits, cultural exchanges and peaceful coexistence to ensure the “China dream” is realized.
Lastly, end the occupation of Xinjiang and Tibet. Rather, help them to restore their nations and form alliances to achieve common prosperity.
The CCP once touted the slogan: “Expel the Tartars, restore China,” yet now it occupies land in the name of achieving the “China dream.”
Lee Yeau-tarn (李酉潭), an adjunct professor at National Chengchi University, said it well: There is no war between democratic countries.
Indeed, it is just as Trump reportedly said. Guns should not be brought to the discussion table.
The suggestions if implemented would guarantee the realization of the “China dream” and there is one more thing: Do not forget to call back to China the children of CCP officials, government officials and wealthy elites who moved to Europe and the US. They can help promote the development of this “China dream.”
Lee Hsiao-feng is an honorary professor at National Taipei University of Education.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
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