Taiwanese Collegian condemns Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao for advocating the use of force against Taiwan.
In an interview to Washington Post on November 23rd, 2003, China's Premier Wen Jiabao made several self-contradictory statements. One of the most obvious one was his emphasis on China's determination to use military force to enforce its illegitimate claim over Taiwan while stating to the reporters, "[China's] policy toward Taiwan is a clear-cut one. It is peaceful reunification and one country, two systems.... The Chinese people will pay any price to safeguard the unity of the motherland." One does not have to be an expert to logic to know that the coexistence of military force and peace is impossible. In addition, Wen provided his statements to the western press while his military cohorts warned Taiwan that "China was not concerned that foreign investment might drop or that its development would be set back several years, its soldiers might die, its relations with third countries be affected or that people and property in the Asia-Pacific region would be damaged by a war" (Washington Post Foreign Service. Thursday, December 4, 2003; Page A25).
As the Chinese Communist Party's number-three leader and the person who runs the Chinese government, it is time for Wen Jiabao to take some responsibilities for his public statements and familiarize himself with the activities and the trend of the international community. Not only it is impossible for China to "Develop democracy" while keeping its one-party dominated system, it will also be difficult for China to associate itself with the industrialized western democracies if it attacks its peaceful neighbor. Wen also needs to realize his demand on President George Bush to deter Taiwan's democratic movements is not only ludicrous but also preposterous. While United States's troops are in Iraq fighting to establish democracy and freedom, the self-absorbed Chinese leader is asking the US to also dissuade its long time ally to stop the process that only comes natural to any fully consolidated democracy. His demand not only undermines the principles and values that the United States has always been standing for, it also shows his lack of sincerity to his promise to "Develop democracy" in his own country.
In this regard, Taiwanese Collegian, the most organized and well connected non-governmental organization among overseas Taiwanese students, issues this statement to condemn the Premier of China for his threat of use terrorist tactics to infringe on the sovereignty of Taiwan, his intentional neglect of the concept of human rights, and his attempt to mislead the world community to believe that democracy was on his agenda as the leader of his country. The Taiwanese Collegian also urges those who value freedom and democracy to voice against China's totalitarian regime and the threat China poses to the peace of the Asian Pacific region. The democracy on Taiwan needs to be preserved. The future of Taiwan needs to be determined by the Taiwanese people, not by a country that is known for terrorizing its own citizens and menacing in its region of the world.
Ketty W. Chen, Spokesperson
The Taiwanese Collegian
http://tc.formosa.org
