Taiwan is already in the United Nations by Dennis Zhu translated by Bevin Chu
Election season is here. The Green camp never seems to tire of trotting out the "Join the UN" issue. Nor is the Kuomintang willing to take a back seat. For this round it has steeled itself, and decided to play the game out to the bitter end. But if we look at the issue in all seriousness, the "Join the UN" issue is phony through and through.
China (the mainland plus Taiwan) is a founding member of the United Nations. Prior to 1971, the Republic of China represented China in the United Nations. After 1971, the People's Republic of China successfully replaced the Republic of China, becoming China's (the mainland plus Taiwan) legitimate representative in the United Nations. The various mainland provinces and Province of Taiwan, have from beginning to end, remained integral parts of China, so naturally they have been inside the United Nations. If Taiwan wants to join the United Nations, it must first separate from China, only then will it have any basis for joining the United Nations. If it hasn't declared independence, yet hopes to join the UN, that is a self-contradictory position that the international community cannot accept.
The Republic of China government, not Taiwan, was forced out of the United Nations in 1971. The challenge today is to convince the Beijing authorities to allow the Taiwan authorities to join China's delegation in the United Nations, to join forces with the mainland, and practice the diplomacy befitting a great nation.
Taipei European School New Campus Dedication Speech Ma Ying-jeou October 17, 2007
In May of last year (2006) Principal John Nixon, Ministry of Foreign Affairs European Affairs Director Wang Yu-yuan, and I participated in the Taipei European School's Wen Lin School District Relocation and Groundbreaking Ceremony. Today I am happy to be able to participate in the Taipei European School's New Campus Dedication Ceremony, to be a witness to the Taipei European School's shining future.
One. European Unification — A Model of Ethnic Integration
The Taipei European School is a very special school. It was established in 1990. Its predecessor was the Taipei German School, the English School, and the French School. In 1992 the three were combined into one. In 2003 its name was changed to the Taipei European School. The school was divided into German, English, and French Departments. It recruited preschool through high school students. Teaching was conducted in German, English and French. It had nearly a thousand students from 50 countries around the globe, and nearly 200 teachers. It was a miniature global village, a microcosmic version of our earth.
The establishment of the Taipei European School is a shining example of ethnic integration. As we know, this is the 50th anniversary of the founding of the European Union. In 1957 six European countries signed the Treaty of Rome. Europe began its journey toward integration. Despite long standing cultural and linguistic differences, Europe found common ground in values such as freedom, democracy, the rule of law, equality, and human rights. In January 2007, Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union. Now the European Union includes 27 countries. Its total population is 500 million. It has become the world's largest economic and trading entity. European Union members include nations in Western Europe, Central Europe and Eastern Europe. It has 23 official languages. During Europe's integration, nations set aside their differences. They promoted mutual welfare and harmony. The European Union is more than an example for the world to emulate. It is an example for Taiwan to emulate.
Two. Economic Relations between the Republic of China and the European Union
According to European Union estimates, the Taiwan region of the ROC is the European Union 10th biggest supplier. It is the European Union's 14th biggest trading partner. Excluding the European continent, it is the European Union's 10th biggest trading partner. Within Asia it is the European Union's 5th biggest trading partner. In 2006 exports to the European Union amounted to 26 billion Euros, an increase of 9.7%. European Union exports to Taiwan amounted to 13 billion Euros, an increase of 1.5%. In 2006 total trade amounted to 39.4 billion Euros, an increase of 6.8%. Compared to peak trade totals of 43 billion Yuan in 2000, Taiwan's exports to the European Union in recent years has slowed. In 2006 this led to a Taiwan to European Union trade deficit of 13 billion Euros, an increase of nearly 20% compared to 2005.
In terms of investments, the European Union established a new high in 2006. Its investments in Taiwan exceeded 7 billion Euros (Ministry of Economic Affairs figures). In 2006 over half of the ROC's foreign investment came from the European Union. One reason was many subsidiaries on Taiwan stransferred their technology to their European headquarters. Another was that several new investments on Taiwan went forward. Estimates for total European Union investment in Taiwan approach 15 billion US Dollars. Over half from Holland (9 billion US Dollars). Next come the UK (4 billion US Dollars) and Germany (1.7 billion US Dollars). Total European Union investments on Taiwan in 2006 surpassed even those by the US and Japan. The European Union has become the ROC's biggest foreign investor, accounting for as much as as 20% of all foreign investments.
In terms of personnel exchanges, in 2006 visitors from Taiwan to European Union countries increased almost 10% compared to 2005. Over 330,000 visas were issued, a new high. Students going to the European Union to pursue advanced studies also increased, exceeding 12,000 in 2006. The number has doubled since a decade ago. An estimated 25,000 or more students from Taiwan are currently attending school in Europe.
Three. Strengthen the Economy. Connect with the Asian Pacific Region. Adopt a Global Outlook.
Taiwan's economic performance has deteriorated badly since 2000. We were once the first of the Four Asian Tigers. We are now the last. We have steadily slipped in international competitiveness. According to Switzerland's International Institute for Management Development (IMD), mainland China surpassed Taiwan in global competitiveness for the first time this year. Last year we ranked 17th. This year we dropped to 18th. Mainland China meanwhile, advanced from 18th to 15th. The consensus is Taiwan's competitiveness has fallen primarily due to unsound government policy.
I believe we must improve the economy and create employment opportunities. My basic view is:
First. Economic matters should be dealt with by economic means. When Nobel Prize winning economist Robert Mundell visited some time ago, I consulted with him regarding Taiwan's economic development, and that is what he said.
Second. To resuscitate Taiwan's economy requires "pragmatic opening." The Democratic Progressive Party's seven year long Closed Door Policy has seriously impacted normal business development, and cannot be allowed to continue.
Third. Non economic factors that affect economic development must be eliminated. On the one hand we must establish a model for political party cooperation. This will ensure domestic political stability. On the other hand, we must sign a peace agreement with the mainland predicated on "peaceful co-existence and mutual prosperity." This will promote cross Straits economic and trade normalization.
Fourth. Economic development must take into consideration issues of fairness, justice, and sustainable development. Since the Democratic Progressive Party has been in power, the gap between rich and poor has reached new highs. We must reduce this disparity. At the same time, we must also take into account environmental protection issues. We must fulfill our responsibilities as members of the Global Village.
In accordance with these four premises, we hope to strengthen Taiwan, connect with the Asian Pacific Region, and adopt a Global Outlook. Our blueprint for economic development has three goals. They are to transform Taiwan into a global center for innovation, an Asian Pacific economic and trade hub, and a transshipment center for Taiwan businesses.
Our goal is: Six percent annual growth after 2008. A per capita income of US$20,000 by 2011. 100,000 employment opportunities. An unemployment rate below 3%. In short, we must recreate a prosperous Taiwan "knee deep in money."
In order to achieve these goals, we must first accomplish two important tasks.
(1) Open up Three Links and Direct Flights
If I am elected, I will promote direct cross Straits sea and air links as swiftly as possible. This will expedite cross Straits exchanges, save time and money, and hopefully allow Taiwan to become a springboard by which European businesses can advance to the Chinese mainland.
(2) I will promote the normalization of cross Straits relations, predicated on "peace and prosperity."
In addition to President Chen Shui-bian's Five Noes, I have proposed "Five Desires," predicated upon the 92 Consensus. These include: restarting cross Straits negotiations, signing a cross Straits 30 to 50 year peace agreement, normalizing cross Straits economic and trade and moving toward a cross Straits common market, increasing the ROC's international space and strengthening cross Straits cultural exchanges, enabling mainland high school students to attend university on Taiwan. I believe we can achieve mutual trust with the mainland, and with peace and prosperity as our twin goals, establish a win/win cross Straits relationship. Taiwan business investments on the mainland will operate under a deregulated policy of "open as the rule, managed as the exception." This will enable businesses to develop freely.
Fourth. Conclusion
When I held the post of Taipei mayor, I deeply respected the Taipei European School. When the Taipei European School needed to build a new campus, we provided close cooperation. I wanted Taipei to provide a quality environment that would allow international talent to come to Taiwan to live and work, and not worry about their children's schooling.
I hope the establishment of the Taipei European School will enable more international talent to live on Taiwan, attract more international talent to Taiwan, and thereby turn Taipei into an international village. Thank you all.
Ang Lee's Chinese Roots fuel Cultural Controversy in Taiwan Bevin Chu October 5, 2007 Ang Lee receives another Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival, this time for "Lust, Caution"
The following Associated Press article on famed Chinese director Ang Lee is better than most. Most major media reporters in the West parrot the ruling DPP's official line with every line they write. The following AP article parrots the ruling DPP's official line only every other line.
The ruling DPP has shamelessly exploited Lee's hard-earned global fame to promote its artificially concocted "Taiwanese, not Chinese" ethnic and cultural identity.
Academy Award winning auteur Ang Lee has never been happy about being abused this way, especially since his feelings about cultural identity are nothing like the ruling DPP's.
But Lee, in contrast with politically oriented directors such as Oliver Stone, focuses on character development rather than ideological conflict. As such, the soft-spoken Lee has refrained from openly complaining about having his personal fame exploited by the ruling DPP, and his actual views on cultural identity grossly misrepresented.
To its credit the following IHT article on Lee exposes the DPP's opportunistic exploitation of Lee's achievements, which are individual, not collective achievements.
To its discredit however, it continues to convey a misleading impression of the political situation on Taiwan.
To correct this impression, I have added my own comments to the article.
International Herald Tribune Ang Lee's Chinese roots fuel cultural controversy in Taiwan The Associated Press Monday, September 17, 2007
TAIPEI, Taiwan: As Taiwan's government ratchets up a campaign to emphasize its cultural separateness from China, one of the island's internationally famous cultural icons insists his mainland Chinese roots have played a major role in his film-making.
The China Desk: AP's title for this news article implies that Ang Lee is "Taiwanese, not Chinese," but has "Chinese roots." No such thing. Ang Lee doesn't "have Chinese roots." Ang Lee, like all 23 million citizens of the Republic of China, is Chinese.
Some citizens of the Republic of China do not want to be Chinese. They want to redefine themselves as "Taiwanese." But the fact is they haven't succeeded in doing so. Not yet anyway. So until they do so, they and everyone else on Taiwan will remain Chinese, i.e., citizens of the Republic of China. "Taiwan" doesn't have a government, unless one is referring to the Taiwan Provincial Government, which has been "frozen" since 1998. The government that exercises jurisdiction over the island of Taiwan is the Republic of China government. Today, most nations, including the UN, no longer recognize the Republic of China government.
But those nations that do recognize the Republic of China government, consider it the legitimate government not only of Taiwan, but of the whole of China, including the mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao.
In any event, it is simply wrong to refer to the Republic of China government as "Taiwan's government." The Republic of China government governs Taiwan, to be sure. But it is not "Taiwan's government." It is quite literally "China's government."
Taiwan is hardly the only territory it governs. It also governs the Penghu Archipelago, which is an entirely separate territory not part of Taiwan. It even governs portions of the mainland Chinese province of Fujian, such as Jingmen and Mazu, and portions of Hainan Island, such as the Dongsha and Nansha Islets in the South China Sea.
Lust, Caution (2007, directed by Ang Lee, written by Eileen Chang, James Schamus)
IHT: "A big part of (my culture) is Chinese tradition from my parents, from school, so that is who I am," said Ang Lee, director of the Oscar-winning "Brokeback Mountain." Lee's spy thriller "Lust, Caution" won the top Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month.
"I grew up in Taiwan, but you know where my ideas, my brushstrokes came from," he said.
Lee was born on the island 53 years ago, after his parents fled the 1949 communist victory in a civil war on the Chinese mainland. Their generation of immigrants — about 15 percent of Taiwan's 23 million people — tends to pay homage to Chinese roots, seeing the island as a strong repository of China's cultural and historical tradition.
The China Desk: My late father used to mock the "2 million mainlanders" factoid. The "2 million mainlanders" factoid is based on the estimated number of individuals who migrated from mainland China to Taiwan between 1945 and 1949, when the population of Taiwan was a mere 6 million.
The population of Taiwan is now 23 million. Yet Taiwan independence spin controllers have continued to talk of "2 million mainlanders who withdrew to Taiwan with Chiang Kai-shek's troops in 1949."
On the one hand, the presumption is that the 2 million mainlanders did not bear a single child. On the other hand, any children born are counted as "native Taiwanese," inflating the numbers for "native Taiwanese" and capping in perpetuity the number of "mainlanders."
That would be fine, except that every time an election rolls around these children of the "2 million mainlanders" are instantly reclassified as "wai sheng di er dai" (second generation mainlanders) instead of "first generation Taiwanese," and excluded from the ranks of "zheng gang de tai wan ren" (authentic Taiwanese).
IHT:But descendants of those who came from the mainland in the 17th and 18th centuries, and form the island's majority, think of themselves as primarily Taiwanese. Many play down their Chinese connections.
The China Desk: Wrong, wrong, wrong! Some, not all, descendants of those who came from the mainland in the 17th and 18th centuries, and form the island's majority, think of themselves as primarily Taiwanese. Some, not all, play down their Chinese "connections," i.e., identity.
Political pundits on Taiwan have a saying: "min yi ru liu shui" (the will of the people is like running water). Depending upon when one asks the question: "Do you consider yourself Chinese, Taiwanese, or both Chinese and Taiwanese?" one will get any number of different answers.
Actions speak louder than words. Judging by actions and not words, only Deep Green Taiwan independence hardliners, who constitute a mere 15 to 20 percent of the island's population, truly consider themselves "Taiwanese, not Chinese."
IHT:The identity question is fast becoming a major issue in Taiwanese politics, with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party or DPP pushing separateness from China, while the main opposition Nationalists seek eventual unification with the communist colossus 160 kilometers (100 miles) to the west.
Lee has not spoken out publicly on politics, but "Lust, Caution" is a paean to his Chinese background.
Set against the backdrop of Japanese-occupied Shanghai during World War II, it is based on a short story by famed Chinese writer Eileen Chang.
The film — casting mostly [mainland] Chinese and Hong Kong actors and actresses — marks Lee's return to Chinese-language films after the highly acclaimed "Brokeback Mountain," set in the American west.
The China Desk: Mainland China is not "China." China is mainland China plus Taiwan, plus Hong Kong, plus Macao, plus numerous offshore islands in the Western Pacific.
Until the Taiwan independence movement succeeds in founding a sovereign and independent "Republic of Taiwan," Taiwan will remain a province of China, under the jurisdiction of either the Republic of China government in Taipei, or the People's Republic of China government in Beijing.
Therefore mainland Chinese actors, within the context of the IHT article, should not be referred to as "Chinese actors," since this misleadingly implies that Taiwanese actors are not Chinese actors.
IHT:Taiwan has its own rich cultural tradition.
The China Desk: This remark is disingenuous Taiwan independence spin control. It implies that Taiwan's "rich cultural tradition" is not part of China's rich cultural tradition.
Taiwan does indeed have "its own rich cultural tradition," but only in the sense that Bordeaux "has its own rich cultural tradition."
Just as Bordeaux's rich cultural tradition is part of France's rich cultural tradition, so Taiwan's rich cultural tradition is part of China's rich cultural tradition.
IHT:In the decades following the end of a half-century of Japanese colonial rule in 1945, the mix of newer Chinese immigrants and local talent turned the island into a hotbed of cultural innovation, from movies and pop songs to stage shows, at a time when [the mainland region of] China was being torn apart by violent political movements.
The China Desk: The newer Chinese were not "immigrants." They were migrants.
Japan extorted Taiwan from China at gunpoint in 1895. Japan retroceded (gave back) Taiwan to China in 1945. By 1945 Taiwan was already Chinese territory.
One does not "immigrate" to another part of one's own nation. One immigrates only to foreign nations.
Australians who move from Sydney to Hobart are not "immigrating" to Tasmania. They are migrating from one region of Australia to another region of Australia.
And so it was with Chinese who migrated from the mainland region of China to Taiwan between 1945 and 1949. They were not "immigrating" anywhere. They were migrating from one region of China to another region of China.
IHT:Taiwanese film critic Liang Liang said the island played a key role in preserving China's cultural heritage. He praised Lee's cinematic works "as an embodiment of this shining legacy."
Liang blasted the DPP for trying to represent Lee as an avatar of a distinctly Taiwanese culture.
"The Taiwan government [i.e., the ruling DPP regime] should feel ashamed as it tried to make use of Lee's international fame," he said.
The China Desk: When Taiwan independence spin controllers speak of a "distinctly Taiwanese culture" they mean a "distinctly Taiwanese national culture that is not Chinese." In this sense, there is is no "distinctly Taiwanese culture." The culture of Taiwan is not distinctive enough to qualify as "distinctly Taiwanese."
Taiwanese culture is Fujian's Hoklo culture and Canton's Hakka culture, with a dash of Aboriginal culture. Taiwanese culture is only distinct enough to qualify as a regional Chinese culture.
The differences between the culture of Taiwan and the culture of the mainland are almost too small to be of significance. The differences between Xinjiang and Canton, for example, are far greater than the minute differences between Taiwan and Fujian. Lust, Caution Stars Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Wei Tang
IHT:Following Lee's acceptance of the Golden Lion prize, Taiwanese officials nicknamed him "the glory of Taiwan." They offered him a subsidy of up to 80 million New Taiwan dollars (US$2.4 million; €1.7 million) for his next production, and campaigned for an Oscar nomination for "Lust, Caution" in the category of best foreign film.
The China Desk: Ang Lee, who is "wai sheng di er dai" (second generation mainlander) would not be referred to as "The Glory of Taiwan" if he were a Pan Blue legislator or pundit, instead of a largely apolitical film maker. If Ang Lee were a KMT or New Party legislator or pundit, "Taiwanese officials" would be calling him very different names. Names such as "Chinese pig" or "Mainlander pig," and demanding that he "Get the hell back to the mainland."
IHT:Lee has long played [sic] homage to both his Taiwanese and Chinese roots in several films, including the 2000 Oscar-winning martial arts hit "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."
The China Desk: "both his Taiwanese and Chinese roots"? What kind of asinine conceptual muddle is this? Does a Frenchman from Bordeaux "pay homage to both his Bordeaux and French roots"? Ang Lee's "Taiwanese roots" are Chinese roots. There is no such thing as "Taiwanese roots" that are not simultaneously Chinese roots.
IHT:His international success contrasts sharply with the generally unhealthy state Taiwan's film industry.
Once seen as a world leader, it faltered badly in the 1990s, unable to compete at the box office with big-budget Hollywood films.
Some critics blame Taiwan's government for the decline, saying its insistence on emphasizing distinctly Taiwanese heroes limited local films' appeal in the broader Chinese-language market.
The China Desk: And so they should. Political Correctness is the serial rapist that strangles creativity in the arts. For all its very real faults, the KMT did a terrific job of nurturing Taiwan's fledgling film industry. Once Taiwan independence fundamentalists usurped power, it was all over. IHT:But Taiwan government spokesman Shieh Jhy-wey brushed the criticisms aside.
"Taiwan's freewheeling democracy has worked as an incubator for talents like Ang Lee," he said.
The China Desk: Nonsense. What little help Ang Lee got was provided by the state owned film industry established by the KMT during the Two Chiangs Era. The ruling DPP never did anything to help Ang Lee become the internationally renowned director that he is today.
Just as it never did anything to help New York Yankees star pitcher Wang Chien-ming, also a "wai sheng di er dai" (second generation mainlander), also touted as "The Glory of Taiwan," become the Major League baseball star that he is today.
The rulling DPP is merely attempting to take credit for after the fact. Hence Taiwanese film critic Liang Liang's fully justified outrage.
