Austin American-Statement

  May 11, 2001

China has no right to Taiwan 

The April 15 graphic "Too close for comfort" and its related article showed how China is using various arms to threaten Taiwan. China claims that Taiwan is its territory. This illegitimate sovereignty claim causes China's harassment toward Taiwan and makes the U.S.-China relationship difficult. China has never governed Taiwan. Taiwan's sovereignty belongs to its people. Polls in Taiwan since 1999 have shown that the majority of Taiwan's people are in favor of keeping the status quo and disapprove of China's hostility. China's recent rising threats and the Hainan accident do not help. China needs to abolish its illegitimate claim over Taiwan and remove its arms threats in order to lead to peaceful dialogues between Taiwan and China. Without those, the peace in East Asia will not be achievable and the instability of the area will be always a pain for U.S. foreign policy. 

SCHILLER LIAO 

President Formosan Association of Public Affairs -- Central Texas