Taiwan in the World Web

Global Politician has a couple of articles from an Indian writer on Taiwan....here...:

However, moving on the path of development, many among Taiwanese get doubtful, anxious and fearful of their future. The stand taken by the mighty Mainland China is the reason of that. The reality is that this situation makes the whole Asia-Pacific Region anxious as far as the question of stability, peace and development in the region is concerned. Doubtfulness, anxiety and fearfulness are the biggest hurdles on the pathway of development. It is often that these elements are also troublesome for their origin source. The situation has changed world over now. This is the time for accommodation, interdependence and mutual co-operation. As such the liberal and wise Chinese rulers should think about Taiwan on the basis of goodwill and harmony. Harmony and goodwill are two such elements, which can ease any solution. The present President of Taiwan, Mr. Chen, too, has admitted the same view. On the other hand, stubbornness and an intention of using power cannot accord any last-long solution; it cannot make friendly relations and cannot gather any cooperation. This is the eternal rule, an ultimate reality. Experiencing this reality, the dictator like Adolf Hitler after occupying Poland, in 1943, admitted, “One cannot rule by force alone. Even in the land of other’s some one needs the local support.” Therefore, in the present situation there should be a positive approach from the People’s Republic of China on the question of Taiwan. Only such an approach would be beneficial not only for China but for the rest of the Asia-Pacific Region. This would also be essential for the People’s Republic of China to maintain its credibility and reputation in international affairs.....

...and also here, by the same writer, from September of this year:

The law passed by China's National People's Congress in March, 2005, under which its army has been legally empowered to attack Taiwan if it declares independence, has created a very complicated, serious and bewildering situation. On the one hand this law has highly intensified the tension between China and Taiwan; on the other hand it has filled the regional and international atmosphere with anxiety.

The dispute between China and Taiwan is older than half a century. The whole world is aware of the issue under dispute. But it is also clear that both China and Taiwan have their own separate cultural identities and believe in two separate political systems. In the economic world also, China and Taiwan have separate identities and separate roles to play. Therefore, if either of the two parties takes a unilateral step in haste, it can lead to extremely dangerous consequences. For this reason, it is of utmost necessity that both parties have enough patience and understanding to solve the problem through peaceful means.

Taiwan, with a population of 23 million, has been under a democratic system for many decades. The Taiwanese are dedicated to democracy. Taiwan has presented an ideal to the world, through its endeavours to strengthen its democratic institutions. Taiwan is economically strong, which is evident from the fact that its foreign exchange reserves are equivalent to US$230 billion. Its economic prosperity can also be understood by the fact that it ranks 15th as a contributor to world trade. Besides, Taiwanese goods have continuously earned world praise for their high quality. Taiwan has its own identity with rich cultural values. In spite of being small in area, it is not weak; it has been prosperous in all fields and this prosperity has deep roots. Therefore, it would be childish for anyone to dream of bringing it under its rule easily, through an armed attack or military operation.....

It's always interesting to read through non-Western, non-Chinese views of Taiwan and its situation, just to see what kinds of understandings others reach. (hat tip to KUL, many thanks).

Meanwhile over at Foreign Policy in Focus the debate between Beijing shill Yu Bin and Ian Williams went into round two:

In the latest Strategic Dialogue from Foreign Policy In Focus, Yu Bin and Ian Williams go head to head on the question of Taiwan's increasingly vocal bid for statehood.

In his essay Support Taiwan's Democracy, Ian Williams argues that the United States should not abandon Taiwan at its time of need. "The lack of U.S. diplomatic support for Taipei lessens the chance of a negotiated solution," writes Williams. "It weakens the Taiwanese hand while encouraging Chinese obstinacy."

Yu Bin disagrees. In America's Rogue Ally, he argues that Taiwan's uncompromising push for independence is destabilizing the region. "Although Taiwan is still America's de facto ally in Asia," he writes, "the chemistry between the Bush administration and Chen Shui-bian is rapidly heading south."

In the second round, Ian Williams responds by emphasizing Taiwan's Right to a State . Yu Bin's answer: Making Democracy Safe for the World.

I think it is great that FPIF obtained the services of a total Beijing shill like Yu Bin so that everyone can plainly see the empty values and stilted thinking of those who serve the other side.

[Taiwan]