Taiwan is in charge of its own destiny

September 28, 1998

In his Sept. 23 op-ed, "Aggravating the one-China problem," Ramon Myers states that during Taiwan's next presidential elections, the electorate might elect a president who would hold a national referendum on whether Taiwan should unify with China or declare de jure independence.

Mr. Myers' piece coincides with the publication of a poll by Taiwan's United Daily News on this very subject. The newspaper sought to determine the support for independence among Taiwan's residents.

Because China has always vowed it would invade Taiwan once it declares independence, early surveys demonstrated a lukewarm support for an outright declaration of independence. After the infamous 1994 Qiandao Lake incident during which 28 Taiwanese tourists were found murdered in China, however, the percentage of those who backed independence jumped to the largest number ever at a stunning 42 percent. Still, the latest poll shows that 47 percent express explicit support for a declaration of independence.

It is also interesting to note that 49 percent of the independence supporters said they would not change their opinion even if a declaration of independence were to invite a military attack by China. Finally, 52 percent of respondents stated that even if no country would recognize Taiwan as a new independent country, they would still opt for independence.

Indeed, no matter what Beijing or Washington would like to see happen with Taiwan, ultimately the people of Taiwan have the right to determine the future of Taiwan - even if the outcome of this democratic process does not fully jibe with Washington's geopolitical aspirations.

WEN-YEN CHEN
President, Formosan Association for Public Affairs, Washington