Lee Teng-hui

In your July 14 editorial on “one China,” you questioned “why Lee made his provocative comments now.” Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui’s real intention is quite obvious: To divide China into several autonomous (independent) regions. In his new book, “Taiwan’s Viewpoint,” he openly calls on Chinese leaders to give autonomy to Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, Mongolia and a separate northeast region.

Just as you said, Washington should make it very clear to Taiwan that the U.S. won’t let itself be drawn into a confrontation in the Taiwan Strait.

JACK LIU

Woodland Hills

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The “one China” policy created in 1972 by Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger had only one purpose: winning China over from Russia at the peak of the Cold War. It is really out of date. Unfortunately this policy has legitimated China’s aggressive behavior toward Taiwan, because they equate “one China” to the People’s Republic of China.

I do not see that Taiwan, a free and democratic country with an economic size equal to one-third of China’s, should be denied the right to assert itself as a nation or even the right to make such a choice. “One China, one Taiwan” is a better alternative. Taiwan has committed to be a friendly neighbor to China. And if China reciprocates and removes all the M-series missiles from the Taiwan Strait, then there will be lasting peace and stability in the region.

WENCHENG LIN, Past President

Taiwanese American Assn. of East San Gabriel Valley

Hacienda Heights

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It is obvious that, if and when reunification of Taiwan with the mainland takes place, Taiwan will want something on the order of the “special status” Hong Kong has been granted. Well, if Beijing continues to emasculate the Hong Kong judicial system and with it Hong Kong’s “special status,” why would the people of Taiwan expect anything better?

If Beijing keeps to the broad contours of its prenuptial agreement with Hong Kong, then perhaps the people of Taiwan will have faith that Beijing will also keep any reunification agreement with them. But if I were advising Taipei, I would advise them to put Hong Kong on their watch list for at least 15 years before they even think about coming to any reunification agreement with Beijing!

JACK SEMBER LEWIS

Santa Maria