Taiwan's democracy

The Telegraph ^ | November 28 2003

[knighthawk]

The exercise of democracy in Taiwan always gets China in a state. In 1996, when the island held its first direct presidential election, Beijing conducted missile tests off its coast. Four years later, Zhu Rongji, the Chinese premier, lambasted the opposition candidate and reiterated the threat of invasion were independence to be declared.

Now, the mainland has warned that disastrous consequences could flow from yesterday's passage through the Legislative Assembly of a bill allowing Taiwan to hold referendums, a step seen by the Communists as moving it closer to independence.

Such bullying of a free society has proved counter-productive. In 1996, the missiles boosted the vote of China's bête noire, Lee Teng-hui, and brought two American naval convoys into the waters east of the island. In 2000, it helped the cause of Chen Shui-bian, the first Taiwanese president not to belong to the Kuomintang, the party that Chiang Kai-shek brought across from the mainland in 1949.

Following yesterday's vote, Beijing will huff and puff, but there is little it can do when faced with the normal workings of democracy. Mr Chen, who was lagging in the polls in the run-up to the presidential election next March, has seen his stock boosted by the proposal to hold a referendum on constitutional reform in 2006. Even the Kuomintang, which first denounced the idea as provocative to China, has changed its tune, while ensuring that parliament vet the wording of any referendum.

The truth is that Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a province of China, has had little to do with the mainland since it was ceded to Japan in 1895. Brief reunification in 1945 was soon followed by de facto independence under Chiang and his successors.

That separation has increased with the development of full democracy on the island, in contrast to the glacial pace of political liberalisation across the strait. While most Taiwanese may be content with their present, ambiguous legal relationship with China, their experience of representative government is edging them towards defining their own distinct identity.

In the sabre-rattling that will follow yesterday's vote, Washington should reassure Taiwan that it will receive whatever is necessary to defend itself from Chinese aggression. George W Bush has spoken eloquently of the need to nurture democracy. In the face of Beijing's threats, Taiwan has a prime claim on his attention.

[knighthawk]

Ping

[Steel Wolf]

Taiwan is a delicate issue for the Chinese. I doubt that we will openly support Taiwan while the problem with North Korea continues, but there is a certain ammount of leverage we gain with our silence. We could very easily start trouble with China by openly supporting Taiwan, and they know it.

I don't really think we need to. Taiwan is safe for the time being, and the more pressing problem is North Korea.

[Jack Black]

The "one China" should take what is best from both. From Taiwan they should take the Constitution, Democracy and political process. It is obviously superior to PRCs increasingly unworkable one party Communist system.

[tlrugit]

China may indeed go to war over Taiwanese independence, but I doubt if it will be soon - too much at stake: dollars are worth more than brownie points. In taking steps to more fully enact democratic principles Taiwan will likely guarantee the ultimate victory of democracy. A people who have not tasted liberty will much more easily submit to chains, albeit glumly and reluctantly, whereas a people who have tasted liberty will fight to the death to preserve it.