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10/14/2004
Taiwan
Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian. Excerpts from two important
speeches he gave last Sunday, National Day, marking the 93rd
anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Republic by Sun Yat-
sen.
While the topic of Taiwan was not raised during any of the U.S.
presidential or vice presidential debates, it is potentially as much
a hot spot as the Axis of Evil in 2005. In the following, focusing
on foreign policy, Chen makes it clear he wants peaceful
relations with the mainland and a resumption of peace talks held
in 1992. But at the same time, he continues to pound away at
Taiwan’s independence, an idea not shared by China, and self-
defense. I’ll have ongoing comments on the relationship
between the two in my “Week in Review” column.
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Today, on the 93rd National Day of the Republic of China, we
stand here in this solemn and momentous occasion to welcome
this day – a glorious day that belongs to our 23 million fellow
citizens. Let us wish the nation a happy birthday!
In 2000, Taiwan accomplished its first-ever transfer of power
between political parties. The strengths of the people have set
into motion the gigantic wheel of national reform and progress.
Their determination released Taiwan from the burden and
malaise – remnants of the protracted one-party rule from the past
– and enabled the dynamic vitality of this young democracy to
shine brightly again. The historical significance of this change of
administration is more than just the relief of old maladies or
burdens. This event lays the very foundation upon which our
nation’s stability and future developments can be ensured
through persistent, comprehensive, and structural reform. This
year, the inaugural speech of my second-term, titled “Paving the
Way for a Sustainable Taiwan,” signifies our hope of drawing on
the support and strength of the people, so as to lay the permanent
cornerstone for sustainable democracy, reforms, humanities, and
peace.
As Taiwan’s democratization process continues, we will step-by-
step realize the objective of popular sovereignty and completely
restore political power to the people. However, our journey
down the path of democracy will not end there. The quality of
Taiwan’s democracy and the essence of our civic society must be
continuously enhanced, and the standard for the constitutional
rule of law must be further examined and realized.
During the first half-century of authoritarian rule in Taiwan,
freedom, democracy, and human rights were infringed upon.
Moreover, defective government policies exploited inequality
among different ethnic groups, suppressed certain languages and
cultures, and caused discrepancy in national identity. These
inequities continue to eat at the heart of Taiwan and can be
traced to the political oppression by our past dictatorial
government. With our democratization, it follows that Taiwan
must face its history with utmost sincerity to bridge the rifts and
heal the wounds left behind by the past authoritarian government
– through mutual understanding, tolerance, and respect. The
furtherance of democracy and creation of civic society will
protect the diversity of ethnic cultures and the right to pursue
personal development. Together, we will safeguard the fruits of
Taiwan’s democracy, freedom, and prosperity; forge a new sense
of shared destiny; and vigorously realize the goal of “ethnic
diversity and national unity.” .
Ensuring the security of people’s lives and property is the
government’s most imperative responsibility. “National
security” should be the rhetoric commonly spoken by the whole
citizenry. Faced with the mounting threat of force and increasing
military preparedness from across the Taiwan Strait, every
citizen should develop the awareness that raising Taiwan’s
defense capabilities is paramount for maintaining the peaceful
status quo across the Taiwan Strait. It is also the foundation that
will enable the two sides to pursue dialogue on an equal footing.
“Don’t think that the enemy will not come; instead, be ready and
prepared.” Everyone understands the logic of this statement. If
Taiwan lacks a strong national defense, how can it deter military
invasion or prevent the outbreak of war?
We will continue to strengthen the military and enhance our
defense capabilities. Such efforts are not to enter an arms race
with Beijing, nor do they signal an attempt to provoke China;
they are founded entirely on the need for national security and
self-defense, as well as the responsibility and duty that we must
shoulder to safeguard cross-strait peace and regional stability.
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[Second speech]
The sovereignty of the Republic of China is vested with the 23
million people of Taiwan. The Republic of China is Taiwan, and
Taiwan is the Republic of China. This is an indisputable fact .
Next year, the UN will celebrate its 60th anniversary. At a time
when expectations for the reform and consolidation of the UN
system rise high in the international community, and a sense of
urgency felt for expanding international participation, it is most
misfortunate and unfair that the UN – an international
organization that vows to adhere to the values of “peace, respect,
equality and friendship,” and claims to uphold the “principle of
universality of membership” – continues to exclude the 23
million people of Taiwan.
The Resolution 2758 of the 1971 UN General Assembly
addresses the issue of representation of the People’s Republic of
China (PRC) in the UN and relevant organizations. However, it
never endows the PRC any right to “represent the people of
Taiwan.” It is essential that Resolution 2758 should not be
wrongly used as an excuse to exclude Taiwan from the UN
system. Misusing this resolution to obstruct the participation of
Taiwan people not only violates the UN Charter, the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, and other international human
rights principles; it is also the greatest irony to the principle of
“universality of membership.” .
It is self-evident that our economic achievements and democratic
accomplishments can only prevail if our national security is well
ensured. As an old adage goes, “One shall be famished if one
awaits indolently for the merciful provision of nature; and one
shall be defeated if one relies on others to fight his battle.” Only
if we remain resolute in our determination to defend ourselves
and build up sufficient defense capabilities can we ensure peace
across the Taiwan Strait and security for Taiwan.
The threat of military force poses the greatest “shadows of
terror” and “forces of darkness” across the Taiwan Strait. At
present, there are more than 600 ballistic missiles targeting
Taiwan, and the numbers grow by 50 to 75 missiles each year – a
serious threat that neither the Taiwan people nor the international
society can afford to look on idly. These “shadows of terror” and
“forces of darkness” not only directly threaten the peaceful status
quo of the Taiwan Strait, they also undermine regional stability
and global security .
Past experiences have shown that military threats and
constricting Taiwan’s international space will only further
distance people on either side of the Strait. Belligerent and
hostile rhetoric simply cannot improve mutual trust and
understanding. “Cross-strait relations are not necessarily a zero-
sum game, there will never be a winner unless it’s a win-win
situation for both sides.” I believe the fourth-generation
leadership on the other side of the Strait should be able to fully
understand this point.
On many issues, the governments and the peoples on both sides
of the Strait hold different views – some of which result from the
absence of communication. In light of this, I have, on many
occasions, proposed that, based on the existing foundation, both
sides should promote the resumption of cross-strait dialogue and
communication channel, so as to reduce the gap between the two
sides and to construct a foundation of mutual trust. Today, I
would like to take the initiative to propose that both sides use the
basis of the 1992 meeting in Hong Kong, to seek possible
schemes that are “not necessarily perfect but acceptable,” as
preparation of a step forward in the resumption of dialogue and
consultation.
Any conflict in the Taiwan Strait could result in irreparable
damages to the peoples on both sides. Therefore, I propose that
both sides should seriously consider the issue of “arms control”
and take concrete actions to reduce tension and military threats
across the Taiwan Strait. Not too long ago, Taiwan’s initiative to
cancel the Han-Kuang military exercise originally scheduled for
last September was based on such deliberation. We believe only
when both sides are committed to exercising restraint and
avoiding any action that might further complicate the situation or
induce conflicts, can we ensure that cross-strait relations develop
on a peaceful and stable path. In the long term, both sides should
formally end the state of hostility across the Taiwan Strait and
establish confidence-building measures through consultations
and dialogues. Furthermore, we should review the armament
policies of both sides and seek to establish the “Code of Conduct
across the Taiwan Strait” as the tangible guarantee of permanent
peace in the Taiwan Strait.
Source: gio.gov.tw [Taiwan’s government web site]
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Hott Spotts returns October 21.
Brian Trumbore
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