Let's recognize Taiwan for what it is
Joseph McHugh
August 21, 2008
Did you hear about that country whose leaders are restricted in their visits to the U.S? These government officials have been denied entry to the U.S on multiple occasions. They´re so awful even the U.N repudiates them. What country am I talking about? Iran? Zimbabwe? Cuba? Sudan?
Would you be surprised if I told you that the country is not only none of the above, but is, in fact, a democratic, rights respecting nation, with a vibrant free economy, and a well-educated populace that has made valuable contributions to the world community?
The status and treatment of Taiwan is one of the great international injustices of our time. After having lost the Chinese civil war from Mao Tse-tung's communists,
Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang Nationalist forces fled to Taiwan in 1949. Ever
since, Taiwan has evolved into a completely independent country separate
from China. They have their own government, institutions, culture. Moreover, in sharp contrast to China, their government is democratic and rights respecting.
Nevertheless, China claims Taiwan as its own, and China has asserted its power in the international community to persuade other nations to make Taiwan a leper. Because of pressure from China, Taiwan is barred from international organizations, most notoriously the U.N and the World Health Organization (WHO). The latter is particularly troubling considering the affect of SARS on Taiwan in 2003, when the disease spread much more rapidly than it would have otherwise
And where is that beacon of democracy, the United States? Well, our own government won´t allow members of the Taiwanese government within 30 miles of Washington D.C. When Taiwan offered to send troops to Iraq, the offer was rejected lest Taiwan might have the temerity to fly their own flag.
The restrictions on travel to the U.S are particularly galling. An American university cannot invite members of the Taiwanese government to speak to the student body, but Columbia had no problem securing a visa for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The most vicious dictators on earth are welcome to speak to the U.N, and, indeed even to be members, but Taiwan cannot even be mentioned by name.
And yes America´s policy is, as always, mixed and hypocritical. Historically, the U.S has been sympathetic to Taiwan, and the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 mandates U.S defense of Taiwan. But in our quest to please China we have allowed ourselves to be part of a vicious international injustice. We do not even have an official ambassador to this valuable country and ally, despite having military bases on the island.
Certainly the fate of Taiwan must be left up to the people of that country, and in their most recent Presidential election the people of Taiwan elected a candidate favoring closer ties with China. But the point all must respect is that the future of Taiwan belongs to the Taiwanese. It is not up to China to decide the future of Taiwan. The 1200 missiles aimed by China at their tiny neighbor is an international outrage. And so too is UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon´s recent statement that Taiwan belongs to China.
Taiwan does not belong to China. Taiwan belongs to the Taiwanese. The claim of the Chinese government is not a mere claim over territory; it is a claim to the minds of the people who live in Taiwan. It is a claim by dictators that they own the rights to the individual lives of a peace-loving people. This claim is legally irresponsible and morally reprehensible.
We do not have to pick a fight with China. But we can tell the truth and stand up for justice by recognizing what Taiwan is.
Would you be surprised if I told you that the country is not only none of the above, but is, in fact, a democratic, rights respecting nation, with a vibrant free economy, and a well-educated populace that has made valuable contributions to the world community?
The status and treatment of Taiwan is one of the great international injustices of our time. After having lost the Chinese civil war from Mao Tse-tung's communists,
Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang Nationalist forces fled to Taiwan in 1949. Ever
since, Taiwan has evolved into a completely independent country separate
from China. They have their own government, institutions, culture. Moreover, in sharp contrast to China, their government is democratic and rights respecting.
Nevertheless, China claims Taiwan as its own, and China has asserted its power in the international community to persuade other nations to make Taiwan a leper. Because of pressure from China, Taiwan is barred from international organizations, most notoriously the U.N and the World Health Organization (WHO). The latter is particularly troubling considering the affect of SARS on Taiwan in 2003, when the disease spread much more rapidly than it would have otherwise
And where is that beacon of democracy, the United States? Well, our own government won´t allow members of the Taiwanese government within 30 miles of Washington D.C. When Taiwan offered to send troops to Iraq, the offer was rejected lest Taiwan might have the temerity to fly their own flag.
The restrictions on travel to the U.S are particularly galling. An American university cannot invite members of the Taiwanese government to speak to the student body, but Columbia had no problem securing a visa for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The most vicious dictators on earth are welcome to speak to the U.N, and, indeed even to be members, but Taiwan cannot even be mentioned by name.
And yes America´s policy is, as always, mixed and hypocritical. Historically, the U.S has been sympathetic to Taiwan, and the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 mandates U.S defense of Taiwan. But in our quest to please China we have allowed ourselves to be part of a vicious international injustice. We do not even have an official ambassador to this valuable country and ally, despite having military bases on the island.
Certainly the fate of Taiwan must be left up to the people of that country, and in their most recent Presidential election the people of Taiwan elected a candidate favoring closer ties with China. But the point all must respect is that the future of Taiwan belongs to the Taiwanese. It is not up to China to decide the future of Taiwan. The 1200 missiles aimed by China at their tiny neighbor is an international outrage. And so too is UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon´s recent statement that Taiwan belongs to China.
Taiwan does not belong to China. Taiwan belongs to the Taiwanese. The claim of the Chinese government is not a mere claim over territory; it is a claim to the minds of the people who live in Taiwan. It is a claim by dictators that they own the rights to the individual lives of a peace-loving people. This claim is legally irresponsible and morally reprehensible.
We do not have to pick a fight with China. But we can tell the truth and stand up for justice by recognizing what Taiwan is.