It's interesting to contrast how the center-right Japan Times views Taiwan with the views of a Green Party candidate from Canada. You decide which one actually has a grip on reality. First, the Japan Times.....Mr. Chen certainly has political calculations in mind as he presses the U.N. campaign and proceeds with a referendum on U.N. membership that will be held at the same time as the presidential election in March. But to dismiss this entire phenomenon as a political scheme is wrong, too. Increasing numbers of people in Taiwan do not think of themselves as Chinese. They have made extraordinary progress in building a vibrant democracy and creating one of the world's economic powerhouses. They want credit for those accomplishments.
Ignoring this yearning will not make it go away. Beijing's merciless campaign to deny Taiwan international space is strengthening a collective sense of grievance and — yes — a separate identity. All nations must help find a middle ground that acknowledges the remarkable gains made by Taiwan without crossing the red lines that would provoke a crisis.Respect for Taiwan, rather than fear of China, should be the guiding principles of cross-strait relations. It would pay dividends on both sides of the strait and for all nations of the region.
Now, Martin Willison, former Green Party candidate, university prof, and currently on sabbatical in China, writes in the Chronicle Herald:
When the drums of separation roll in Quebec, Nova Scotians are naturally concerned about the effects that separation of Quebec would have on the Acadian people, most of whom do not want to see a separate Quebec. Is it too much to ask that the editorial board at The Chronicle Herald give a thought to what the people of mainland China think regarding the province of Taiwan, and about political machinations in the multi-party democracy of Taiwan?
This letter, which Johnny Neihu rightly described as "hallucinatory," is factually inept -- two, not one, of the four main parties are pro-independence, among its numerous errors. It also refers to democratic activities as "machinations" and repeats Beijing code-phrases like "the feelings of China's 1.3 billion people." As I often say, I understand the people who fight authoritarians, and I understand the people who want to be authoritarians, but I will never, never understand the people who serve them....
[Taiwan] [US] [China] [Democracy] [UN] [DPP] [Taiwan Independence] [US Foreign Policy]
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ReplyDeleteNow, Martin Willison, former Green Party candidate, university prof, and currently on sabbatical in China, writes in the Chronicle Herald:
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Holy shiiiiiiiit!! I've never seen such an ignorant, idiotic articles written by a foreign professor. It's not only full of errors -- historical or current -- but also totally ignorant to what really happens between Taiwan and China.
I can't believe the green party recommended such a low quality crap to campaign for them. Martin Willison deserves only the seat of President of China-Ass-Licking Club.
Respect for Taiwan
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, respect in the international term usually come with either military or economy mights. Did we respect Iraqies before we unload our bombs on them (more than a million died)? Did we show any respect for the Iranians (what's wrong with them want to have nuclear bomb other than to prevent us from attacking them)? Did Israel show any respect for Palestinians or Syrians. Israel bombed Syria last week without any apprent provercation. Did the news media even mention it?
P.S. Maybe Martin Willison really is not stupid (unlikely he is a tenured professor). He probably just realized what China can do to Taiwan when he visited China.
P.P.S. Quebec will never leave Canada unless they want to be out of electricity. Cree Indians won't allow it.
That's a bizarre comparison between Quebec and Taiwan... Now, if Shandong province wanted independence you might be comparing apples to apples....
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ReplyDeleteThat's a bizarre comparison between Quebec and Taiwan... Now, if Shandong province wanted independence you might be comparing apples to apples....
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That's one of things that show how idiotic Willison is.
How about England claiming independence from USA?
ReplyDeleteOr, if some aliens, and I mean alien aliens, show up claiming that earthlings are decendents of their exiles, and that it would hurt thier feelings if we are not ruled by them?
Bizarre, that's the word, and that's the way Chinese government appears to people in Taiwan; he**, even some Chinese citizens I talked to find their government bizarre, doing things only to save "face". (And they would not say so when they are in China.)
The rest of the world don't care much about faces; they would sit back and watch China choking Taiwan until "Compromises" are found; until the thriving and peaceful capitalist democracy sinks into G** knows what.
Taiwan has economy mights. Hope the world won't realize it only when it's too late. All soggy with lead and PVC.
Who knows? People might don't care so much so that they drop in and say "I don't care!"
Taiwan has economy mights. Hope the world won't realize it only when it's too late. All soggy with lead and PVC.
ReplyDeleteMy lastest economist magazine ranked Taiwan dead last in GDP growth in all Asian countries. Yup, Taiwan even lost to Phillipine.
Personally, I will compare to Taiwan independent movement to the 70s East Timor.
My lastest economist magazine ranked Taiwan dead last in GDP growth in all Asian countries. Yup, Taiwan even lost to Phillipine.
ReplyDeleteYou mean GDP (real) growth rate? While Phillipine is doing better than Taiwan, Taiwan is doing better than USA, Japan, EU... in terms of GDP growth, that is.