Chicago Tribune
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE (Letters to the editor)

March 6, 2002

"Taiwan's democracy needs support of the U.S."

Before World War II, Japan ruled Taiwan for more than 50 years. In 1947, when Chiang Kai-shek lost the Chinese civil war to Chairman Mao Tse-tung, he and his loyalists fled China to Taiwan. In order for Chiang to secure his presence in Taiwan, more than 25,000 Taiwanese intellectuals mysteriously disappeared or were killed. Thus began the era ruled by Chiang and his dynasty, the Kuo Ming Tang. He claimed that one day he would overthrow Chairman Mao and return to China. This, of course, never happened.

Despite the fact that the San Francisco Treaty, following World War II, never stated Taiwan was to be returned to China, China maintains Taiwan is a renegade province. This belief forms the foundation of the "one China principle," which has shackled Taiwan to China for decades. Despite Taiwan President Chen Shui-Bian's repeated gestures of goodwill, China demands that Taiwan obey its one China principle and refuses all attempts for negotiation.

It's ironic that Chinese President Jiang Zemin uses the words "peaceful reunification" when he refers to the one China principle. It seems his definition of "peaceful" includes threatening rhetoric and warlike actions, such as launching missiles into the Taiwan Strait. Additionally China repeatedly blocks Taiwan's applications to the United Nations and the World Health Organization, as well as its desire to open diplomatic missions in other countries. These actions have effectively isolated Taiwan from the rest of the world.

Since martial law was lifted in 1987, the Taiwanese have embraced the true spirit of democracy and are freely electing their own legislative officials. For the first time, the Taiwanese are governing Taiwan. China, on the other hand, continues to ban the freedom of religion and the freedom to assemble. It also refuses to abide by international human rights codes.

How can one conceivably and conscientiously unite and merge those of a dictatorship and a democracy?

Today's Taiwanese have nothing to do with the animosity between Chairman Mao Tse-tung and Chiang Kai-shek, yet they continue to suffer from the residual effects of this half-century-old feud. Many former Chinese loyalists, those who had hoped for Taiwan's reunification with China, have gone to China and witnessed the brutal truth for themselves. They've returned to Taiwan with a full understanding of why Taiwan should remain sovereign and its future safeguarded. Taiwan is currently the 14th economic power in the world, with a history of sending money and aid to countries in need. In fact, supporting a sovereign Taiwan can help stabilize Asia both economically and politically.

At a recent press conference following a public speech at Tsinghua University in Beijing, President Bush disagreed with Jiang's "peaceful reunification" language. In effect, he affirmed that the consent of the Taiwanese people is required for a verifiable and peaceful resolution.

As a democracy, the people of Taiwan have the right and the responsibility to shape their own destinies. Inherent in the definition of democracy is the principle of "rule by the people." Supporting the spread of democracy throughout the world has always been of paramount importance to the U.S.

Taiwan is in need of our support. A democratic Taiwan represents the progress of civilization in the world. We must not waver in continuing to show and tell China that Taiwan is not only a democracy but also an equal and should be respectfully treated as such.

Tien C. Cheng, Ph.D.