Plate on China and Taiwan

Tom Plate’s article, “China, Taiwan: No Force or Taunts” (Commentary, Sept. 16), contains several incorrect or unfair assertions.

Plate suggests that Taiwan should stop its “game-playing” and “return to the fold.” This reasoning has two very serious flaws. The idea of a Taiwan governed by the PRC as being a “return to the fold” is ludicrous. The people on Taiwan have never been governed by the PRC. If anything, Taiwan’s democratic reforms have been a return of the government of the Republic of China to the fold of the people.

In reference to Taiwan’s “game-playing,” Taiwan is simply interacting with the world around it, setting up necessary relations with friendly states in the international community. Pragmatic, reasonable interaction with the outside world is no reason for the PRC not to “forswear force against Taiwan.”

What Taiwan seeks in the international forum is simply recognition as one of two equal political entities that govern the people of the “one divided China.” Taiwan cannot and will not accept a situation in which “one China” will mean that the people of Taiwan become governed by the thoroughly undemocratic PRC. The fact is that the Chinese people on Taiwan will not accept having their sovereignty, democracy and prosperity ripped away for the promise (would it even be kept?) of relative freedom, a measure of self-government and questionable economic independence

Taiwan’s goal is not independence, but eventual reunification under the conditions of prosperity, freedom and democracy.

KAO JEN-HWAN

Director, Information Division

Taipei Economic and Cultural

Office, Los Angeles