Powell’s Taiwan Slip

Comments

1. 

   November 1, 2004

   Fabian Hammer

   Hi Mick,
   Thanks for the “via”. Would you agree to swap links? BTW I have more on PRC oil expansion coming up this week. Have you a special interest in that?
   Cheers FH.

   Reply
2. 

   November 1, 2004

   Mick H

   FH – I added you to my links this afternoon, as it happens. I wouldn’t say I have a special interest in PRC oil expansion etc. – I wouldn’t claim any expertise in that area – but in general, yes. I’ll certainly be checking out your posts.

   Reply
3. 

   November 1, 2004

   BMM

   You’re very wrong, I’m afraid. First of all, the goal of the Kuomindang was not to get the world to acknowledge the existence of “two Chinas.” Chiang Kai-shek had that opportunity when The People’s Republic of China took The Republic of China (Taiwan’s) seat on the Security Council. There was a deal floated by the US, which China accepted, calling for a double acceptance to the UN of China and of Taiwan as two seperate countries. Chiang rejected that because he harbored the dream of eventually returning to the mainland in triumph. In fact, to this day, his remains are interned, not buried, because he is waiting to be returned to China. Further, until several years ago, there were legislators in the Legislative Yuan representing all the different provinces in mainland China. So it is disingenous to suggest that poor little Taiwan only wants to be apart from China.
   In recent years, Chen Sui-bian’s government has tried to create a distinctive Taiwanese identity by using Taiwanese as a quasi-official language over Mandarin and by emphasizing Taiwanese culture over Chinese culture. The mainlanders in Taiwan, who came with Chiang in 1949, are extremely bitter about this. To them, it is preferable to return to China than to be second class citizens in an ethnic Taiwanese dominated country.
   As to Colin Powell’s remarks, he stated accurately the US policy towards China that has been tacitly agreed to by every party–the US, China, and Taiwan. That is that Taiwan is not a seperate country, it is part of China. The unstated part of that agreement is that Taiwan can operate as an independent country as long as it doesn’t take on the trappings of sovereignity.
   That is the best compromise that can be hoped for. I say this not as someone who is sympathetic to the mainland Chinese, but rather as someone who appreciates just how ruthless they are. Taiwanese independence is not worth a war, especially considering that that war would destroy Taiwan.
   Please take this into consideration in the future.

   Reply