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Taiwan's sovereignty - In Memory of 2.28 Anniversary |
2007-03-08 09:33:39 |
Andrew Chang
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ip: 220.X.X.X |
(My Taiwan Visit: Observations and Thoughts)
(A recent two-week trip back to Taiwan - after more than a decade - gave me a chance to witness the changes; it was also an occasion for me to see first-hand the social mores as well as political climate.
I realize the time is too short and the number of people I met too limited to grasp the entire picture and make a balanced view. Nevertheless I like to present what I thought as points of discussion irrespective of being too superficial)
I was dismayed by the announcement by the flight crew (Chinese steward of U A) that "the plane is approaching the Chiang Kai-shek international airport of Taipei, Taiwan, the Republic of China."(ditto on my return trip);
The street names of Taipei are replaced with Beijing's pin-yin Romanized version (with the exception of internationally established names such as Keelung Rd., etc.) Also, names of streets remind me of cities in China. What an uneasy mixture of real and surreal!
The 101 tower is a spectacular landmark of Taipei. I was also pleasantly surprised at the growth and development of my home town, Taichung, with rows of glitzy skyscrapers and brand name stores. It showcases the vivacity of the economy and hopefully the new science park will further attract more investments and stimulate developments.
Overall, Taiwan's economy is chugging along, with GDP and unemployment rate remain stable. But there is a clear undercurrent of concern and worry about the deterioration of economy and the disparity of wealth distribution, and potential deterioration of employment as Taiwan's industries continue to hollow out.
The Media Mania and Travesty:
As expected, the muckraking, slanderous and mendacious pro-PRC/KMT media was raging with insinuating news everyday; it has reached such a level that I wondered how any decent person with a sense of justice can put up with it without having a roiling stomach.
Indeed it is tantamount to trying to rip off very fiber of a civilized society and, worse, rocking the stability of society; it is clearly abusing the freedom of speech guaranteed by a democratic country and totally ignores professional ethics.
I believe there must be a limit of it; and the people of Taiwan should be vigilant about the consequences. Taiwan has to brace for a worsening trend as the nation approaches crucial elections this year and next. It's time for Taiwanese people to be wary and wise up!
The Politically Skewed Judicial System:
As in many other areas of Taiwan polity, the judicial branch, to some extent, still remains as the bastion of KMT old guards. Some prosecutors and judges are ideological, and they cannot put their ideology aside to maintain judicial integrity.
A case in point: The chief prosecutor (later resigned and replaced), who indicted Mrs. Chen for her alleged corruption and forgery (with callousness in spite of her delicate physical condition) made some remarks that marked patent pro-PRC stance ( he was reportedly trying to cuddle up to Beijing regime, even to the point of being obsequious).
(The latest indictment of the former mayor of Taipei and KMT chairman Ma Ying-jeou, though shows some backbone of the prosecutors, the punishments it seeks are much milder and thus reflects a double-standard)
Furthermore, there are still a number of legal experts and scholars, who do not hesitate to show their chauvinistic vein, are openly contemptuous of local culture and populace.
Reshuffling of Political Parties:
A two-party system has emerged as a result of the recent mayoral elections, with the third parties practically marginalized.
The former mayor of Taipei, Ma Ying-jeou, seems to have lost his clout; and his Hollywood style attraction has faded and charisma diminished.
His wishy-washy handling of the red-robed demonstrations to topple A-bian was a disappointment to many hardcore Pan Blue members; and thus his judgment and abilities to lead are now in doubt in the eye of the Pan Blue camp.
Also, his alleged misuse of mayoral special fund (now formally charged) has tarnished his "clean" image. Clearly it has dented his standing within his own party (many seniors within his Party have never had any high regard for him anyway).
(He has declared his presidential candidacy in spite of the indictment. In order to smooth away his eligibility as a KMT candidate, the party is trying to revise its rule that disqualifies a tarnished candidate - a quintessential example of how KMT plays with rules and law)
Furthermore, KMT is actually a coalition of different political stripes; its political spectrum is from chauvinistic Pro-Unification (about-face from its former anti-Communist stance) diehard members to more Taiwan-oriented native members.
Indeed it is a shame that, in spite of the predominance of Taiwanese within the party, many of them are beholden to the old masters (because of self-interest, misplaced loyalty, lack of chemistry with the Green-camp, ignorance and/or worse, Stockholm syndrome).
Thus, the DDP now seems to have a fighting chance to win the lection and stay in power.
However, the turn of fortune for DDP is predicated on a number of ifs. First, it has to clean up its act and get its act together; the party has a host of internal problems; and clique infightings frequently disrupted its unity. It also has its share of corruption and number of rotten eggs.
As the crucial elections are approaching, there is a clear sign of power struggle; party chieftains are posturing and jockeying with an eye for the 2008 election (several have declared their candidacy at this point of writing). Therefore it is still too early to predict how it will transpire and to what extent it will affect the party's unity and the outcome of the 2008 election.
A-Bian's Political Let down:
A-Bian's popularity and support for DDP hit the nadir when he was accused of "embezzlement" of the state affairs secret funds (after a series of scandals involving his close aids); and the prosecution of Mrs. Chen further accelerated his skid.
In fact, disappointment over his performance started right after the election in 2000. He was elected as the first Taiwanese president of a real Taiwanese regime in the strict sense of the word - a manifestation of rejection and renouncement of the KMT government by the people of Taiwan (which took over Taiwan after WWII without any legal basis and inflected atrocities against the people o Taiwan).
However, "the Son of Taiwan," as he self-styled himself, quickly dismayed his supporters; he failed to deliver the promises during the campaign to draft a new constitution (to replace the irrelevant KMT version the party brought from China when the regime exiled to Taiwan); and to change the name of the country that will square with the reality and to avoid the international confusion about Taiwan and China.
His frequent shifting of tactics and zigzag political maneuver to accommodate the opposition parties further alienated his supporters. Furthermore, failure to pursue KMT illegal asset holdings, corruptions and past atrocities shows his lack of political backbone.
But in fairness, his performance should be judged, to an extent, in the light of the overwhelming obstacles and in the context of stark political realities, domestic and international.(For his achievements in domestic social as well as economic fields, see
:http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/leonwu5899/article?mid=51&page=0#52 )
Agonies, aggravation, and apathy of the people
The prevalent disappointment and disillusion is further exacerbated by a slew of scandals and corruption cases within DPP party; it gives the electorate a feeling of "much of a muchness" - DPP is not much different from KMT and election is practically a rotation of political parties; a revolving door for the incompetent and unscrupulous politicians.
As a result, public trust in both government officials and lawmakers skidded to an all time low; and apathy and a sense of malaise of cynicism and disenchantment has permeated every corner of the society.
The greatest bitterness is that Taiwan remains a land of entrenched vicious political culture and lack of social justice. Indeed, the venality of the whole society is running deep after the election.
Surge of Taiwanese Identity:
However, amidst of all these seemingly pessimistic outlooks, one positive sign has clearly emerged - the rising sense of Taiwan identity.
More and more people now consider themselves as "Taiwanese"(each time PRC threats Taiwan with its military force) - a clear breakaway from the China syndrome.
According to the latest polls, way over half of the population identify themselves as Taiwanese and those consider themselves Chinese has drastically fallen.
Also, the people who consider that Taiwan should be independent and not "unified" with China range from 40% to 60%, depending on polls.(One latest poll even indicates it has reached as high as 70+%)
Nevertheless, there is a clear sign that a substantive swathe of the population want to maintain a "status quo," viz. "neither independent nor unified." This category includes some people within the Pan-Green and Pan-Blue camp.
Ambiguity and Peril of "Status Quo":
The preference of this status is easy to understand. For one thing, Taiwanese still do not have a clear sense of what a "Taiwan Nation" is about. Secondly, it provides a safety zone, so to speak, and a sense of stability and security, no matter how untenable it is.
Politicians in Taiwan also like its ambiguity to avoid touching on the sensitive issue, and so does the international community, including the U.S, to keep the island nation in the political limbo - an issue frequently referred to as the "flashing point" in Asia - without having to ruffle the feathers of a rising military power and global economic powerhouse.
However, that nebulous status, as a political expedience for all the parties concerned in the face of the stark geopolitical reality in that part of the world, could turn out to be a double-edged sword.
For it could, eventually, be detrimental to the aspirations of the Taiwanese people to be a member of international community, and could also endanger the security of Taiwan and the stability of the region.
The potential dangers have been aptly pointed out by a former high-ranking U.S. official in Taiwan and another -a prominent scholar at the American Enterprise Institute
One of them wondered aloud how many Taiwanese voters who choose this status in polls are aware of the potential danger. They reckons that the "status quo," as understood today, simply suits PRC's current policy and welcomed by the regime - to isolate Taiwan in the international community by vigorously blocking it to join international organization.
Also, PRC has continued to expand missile development and offense deployment under the pretense of maintaining the "status quo" without threatening Washington's short term policy.
Furthermore, it gets itself involved more deeply in Taiwan's domestic politics under the status. And all of these can be made by PRC unilaterally without changing the status.
One of them even warned that "every year that China grows stronger is a lost opportunity for Washington to make clear that the Taiwan issue will be settled by mutual consent, not coercion. (For detail, see http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2007/01/09/2003344033
and http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2006/12/26/2003342051 )
Therefore, it's important for Taiwanese people to be aware of its insidious tactics and wake up to the serious consequences. It's especially clear that the status is beginning to bring home as U.S. is mired in the Middle East war and its effort to stop proliferation of nuclear weapons where the US needs Beijing's helping hand.
Although the US has frequently made clear its commitment to defend Taiwan, it is only inevitable that, as the US has its hands tied, it has to defer more to the Beijing regime and, in turn, it will further strengthen Beijing's hand on the issue of Taiwan.
Another disquieting effect of Beijing's strangulation of Taiwan has become evident recently in the arena of foreign trade - Taiwan is excluded from the free trade agreement (FTA) talk within the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum; many Asian countries will not dare to rile PRC because of its clout (unless the U.S. signs one).
The Question of Taiwan's Sovereignty:
This status is essentially the circumstantial outcome of Post-War period and geopolitics; it has essentially placed Taiwan in a limbo with its sovereign status clouded.
Realizing the strategic importance of Taiwan in the Pacific Rim sea lanes and as a potential "flash point" in the face of the increasing militant stance of China, the U.S. attitude on Taiwan has been less than consistent, and occasionally contradictory.
The problem was, to a large extent, the making of the Chiang's ROC regime when it was forced out of China and created the moniker -"Free China" (in actuality, a totalitarian regime) - thus creating the impression of "Two Chinas." In the 90s' both sides of the Strait agreed that there is only one China and the term is up to their interpretations. (DDP does not accept that there was such an understanding.)
Beijing regime likes Taiwan to keep the name "ROC - Republic of China" and propagate that Taiwan is a "breakaway province"; it continues to perpetuate this myth to prevent and stifle Taiwan's sovereignty in the international community.
Taiwan's sovereignty was not decided by the San Francisco Peace Treaty, neither by the bilateral treaties bet. Japan and the two Chinese regimes (Japan renounced its sovereignty over Taiwan and the Pescadores but no retrocession to China was stipulated). Furthermore, the ROC regime in Taiwan was a government in exile, while PRC never set its feet on Taiwan.
To make the matter worse, the perception of Taiwan's sovereign - de facto or de jure, or even "if it is independent"- has remained a point of debate even within the Pan-Green camp This problem was pointed out by the recent remarks by former President LDH and caused a storm of reactions.
LDH pointed out Taiwan is an independent nation and the issue of Taiwan's sovereignty has become a campaign slogan by DDP to boost the Taiwanese patriotism among the potential supporters and to galvanize its supporters.
The fact that Taiwan is a nation leaves no room for doubt; it is not subject to debate for it has been independent of China. Furthermore, it possesses all the components that a modern state has: territory, citizenry, a freely elected democratic government. The only problem is the Taiwanese government is unable to establish diplomatic relationship with fellow nations in the international community due to the threat of PRC.
The territorial claim by PRC has no legal base whatsoever; its claim on the base of historical background and irredentism is nonsensical, and its brazen presumption that the "majority of Taiwanese people wish to be (re)united with their mother country" is a blatant lie and fiction.
Finding a way out - "Taiwan Nation"
Given the confused perception about Taiwan's sovereign status even among the diehard Taiwan First groups (and within the DPP), how can we expect the world community to accept Taiwan as a full-fledged member?
Indeed, if Taiwan does not work to counter international "confusion," we cannot expect the situation to improve; it will perpetuate the limbo status until a drastic geopolitical change.
And we have also to keep in mind that international justice and principle are sometimes compromised in the face of harsh geopolitical power game - a sad reality of international power politics (esp. at a time when PRC is gaining it political as well as financial clout in the world, particularly in America).
So let's clear our muddy head and look squarely at this issue - the sovereignty of Taiwan once for all.
Taiwan is already a democratic nation with de facto independence. The only problem is that Taiwan has not and cannot cast off the title "China" (due to the dismal reality that few countries, including the US, are willing or dare to challenge and rile the authoritarian power across the Strait. Therefore, it still lacks internationally recognized de jure sovereignty or "state sovereign."
However, according to the Montevideo Convention on Rights and Duties of States (1933), as long as a state possesses a permanent population, a defined territory, a government and the capacity to enter into relations with other states" is an international legal entity" and that "the political existence of the state is independent of recognition by the other states." (http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2007/02/12/2003346719 )
In order to break out of this deadlock, Taiwanese people must, first and foremost, forge a strong national identity. Taiwanese people have to be re-energized and re-galvanized to show to the world what we want and tell the world that Taiwan is Taiwan, neither part of China nor ROC!"
We all know well that people's power is invincible. Many countries with much smaller populations have won their struggles and realized their dreams since the end of the War.
History has shown us that brave people has fought against the odds to make their wishes heard and dream realized. Remember what happened to the courageous peoples of Poland, and the Baltic countries; and, lately, East Timor. How dramatic and heroic!
Recently, a group of brave and dedicated people has filed a legal case in a U.S. court to revisit the sovereign state of Taiwan - asking the court to determine that, since Taiwan was (and still is) legally the occupied territory of U.S. (Japan renounced it's sovereignty and its legal title was never decided and, hence, a Military Power Occupied Territory under the U.S. jurisdiction), what right(s) and relief Taiwanese people may have under US law.
Although the case has been recently recommended to be dismissed as "non-justiciable political question" by the defendant (the US government), a rebuttal has been filed by the plaintiffs. (See http://www.taiwankey.net/dc/cdocs.htm)
It is nevertheless a plausible approach and an alternative worthy of our support. It is indeed an example that we have to think out of the box and try every possible avenue to break out of this predicament for remedy - a grave case of international injustice. It is hoped the case will eventually shed some light of hope for the Taiwanese people.
It's also sincerely hoped that the DDP government will steadfastly uphold the identity of the nation, both in word and deed, not just for the grandstanding in an election year (esp. A-Bian has only one year left for his presidency and has nothing to lose).
A careful examination of Taiwan Relation Act points to the fact that the future of Taiwan is up to the Taiwanese people to decide - a clear upholding of the principle of self-determination. Therefore there is a wiggle room (essentially a subtext) for Taiwan to maneuver to accomplish their goal.
In fact, over the years, the U.S. has declared on several occasions that Taiwan's sovereign status "was deliberately left undetermined and the U.S., as a principal victor over Japan, has an interest in their ultimate future."(by former Secretary of State John Foster Dulles in Oct. 1954.)
(Also, in 1970, the State Department formally restated this position to the Senate that "ノsovereign over the area is an unsettled question subject to future international resolution."
Obviously, it won't be an easy task and the odds are overwhelming, given the political reality. But history tells us that justice will overcome the evils and the wreath of victory will belong to the people of Taiwan.
The recent steps, thought belated but nevertheless commendable, taken by the DDP government - name changes of the governmental enterprises and revision of textbooks that more accurately record the history of Taiwan, which had been distorted, fabricated, or even ignored by the KMT regime - will set the course for bolstering the Taiwan identity.
Lessons to be learned from 2.28
The month of February is an unforgettable one; we cannot help poignantly thinking of what we had gone through and have to reflect what we have learned. Indeed the hind sights point clearly to us what we should do and the course to follow.
We should look back at the tragic event from a positive perspective and be proactive; it would be futile brooding over the dark past by sitting on our hands and wait for miracle to happen.
In fact it is an epiphany for Taiwanese people and an inspiration- the pullulating of Taiwanese consciousness and national identity - the first-step toward nation building.
And the lesson we have learned is that we had the ill-fortune of falling into the hands of colonial powers, the last one being the most egregious in the history of human kinds, and we cannot afford to let history repeat itself.
Most importantly, we have learned that China never has had any concept of what democracy and human rights are about; its political culture runs counter to the modern universal values of liberty and democracy. Its concept of heavenly-mandated rulers is hopelessly anachronistic and reactionary; it elevates the authoritarian imperial ruler to a status of a half-divine figure; and that ruler is now replaced by the monolithic communist regime.
Under cruel and self-righteous despotic regimes, human rights and lives are trashed. Taiwanese people learned its cruelty first-hand and lived under a dark age for almost half a century under the KMT regime, and have witnessed what has happened to the Chinese people over the last few decades.
As Chinese economy is growing at a breakneck pace (largely thanks to Taiwanese capitals and technologies, and investments from the West), some people are hoping that it will be integrated into the global market system and become a benign stakeholder.
Some even wishfully think that, as the market economy become more entrenched, it will bring in a transparent society, more tolerant political system and accept the universal value of liberty, freedom and democracy.
Indeed a world that values freedom and democracy and respect self-determination would be a much safer place. But, unfortunately, there is no sign of it; its stance on Taiwan is as aggressive as ever and is unrelenting with its control of its people's freedom.
Keep in mind that China has historically believed that it is the center of the world and Chinese nationalism is chauvinistic and hegemonic (and has been hijacked by the regime to divert the malcontent of its people to the issue of Taiwan).
A prominent scholar of Chinese studies has recently pointed out that "Deng-ism (continued by President Hu) was a retreat from as much as possible of Maoism without endangering Leninist political power" and call Chinese market economy "Market Leninism." Well said! (an essay in the Wall Street Journal by Ross Terrill)
Conclusion:
Those of us who love Taiwan should close our ranks and stop infighting; for internecine fight will lead to self-destruction and play into the hand of our enemy (esp. in the face of two crucial election years).
More importantly, there is an urgent problem to tackle for the society of Taiwan: spiritual rebirth and moral reform. (The son-in-law of President Chen is symptomatic of the sick society of Taiwan; and he has disgraced the people of Taiwan). We need more people who are paragon of rectitude, righteousness and stand for principle and justice.
As Taiwan is entering a crucial period of its nascent democracy in the next two years, we should strive for a strong united front to solidify our hard earned democracy that will shine in the Pacific Rim
(and hopefully become the catalyst and a model for the hapless people in China).
By Andrew Chang(02.28.07)
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