Taiwan's policy of appeasement

Vancouver Sun

January 2, 2009

The Sun rightly showed deference to a foreign leader by printing excerpts from a letter to it from Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou in the business section Dec. 29. However, the absence of editorial critique put readers at risk of swallowing Ma's embellished story hook, line and sinker. China envoy Chen Yunlin did visit Taiwan and sign agreements. Not mentioned, however, were the serious abuses of human rights long experienced by the people of Taiwan.

During Chen's visit, police took political banners and signs away from demonstrators. Tibetan, and even Taiwanese, flags were confiscated. A record store was raided and closed for playing Taiwanese songs. The morning after Universal Human Rights Day (Dec. 10), Taiwanese students at a sit-in protesting these government transgressions were carted away. These actions were such blatant violations of civil norms that the International Federation of Journalists, Freedom House, the International Federation for Human Rights and Amnesty International all issued statements of concern. The merit of Ma's headlong march toward China as a means of solving Taiwan's economic woes remains to be seen. What is clear is the threat to Taiwan's freedom, democracy and human rights posed by Ma's appeasement policy.

Bob I. Yang, PhD

President

Formosan Association for Public Affairs

Washington, D.C.