Contra Costa Newspapers

May 5, 2001

Taiwan respects free trade, human rights and freedom. It is a true democracy and a longtime U.S. ally.

China abuses human rights and restricts freedom. It will not honor its words; its officials declare the Chinese government did not kill anyone in the Tiananmen Square incident.

China is our competitor at best, if not an enemy. It has never been a partner, and never will be. We want China to become strong, but it should respect international law and order.

We want China to become rich, but it should respect human rights.

In the San Francisco Peace Treaty, the future of Taiwan was not determined.

Japan only ceded Taiwan, so the future of Taiwan can only be determined by the 23 million Taiwanese.

China never did have sovereignty over Taiwan, and self-determination is a fundamental right of the people and the founding principle of the United Nations.

The United States should defend Taiwan if China invades, not only for the protection of human rights and freedom, but for the security of the Pacific Rim and America.

If Taiwan is lost, we will lose peace and security in Asia and America's defensive line in the western Pacific.

Philip Wu

San Ramon