In fact, the setbacks stiffened Taiwan's resolve and generated solidarity. This can be seen in the surge of public support for the worthy endeavor. The latest polls, taken after Taiwan's attempt to apply under the name "Taiwan" rather than the previous designation "Republic of China," show that nearly 70 percent of respondents endorsed the new bid. More significant are indications that the effort has gained further cross-party support. In other words, aspiration for U.N. entry transcends political bickering and is the common wish of people of all walks of life.
This also means that increased domestic consensus and solidarity on the U.N. bid will bolster Taiwan's stamina in the years to come. Needless to say, China's continuing use of its status in the United Nations to pre-empt Taiwan's application has only served to fuel public anger in Taiwan toward Beijing's political bullying, which, in turn, reinforced Taiwan's determination to accomplish its U.N. bid.
China's arrogant and insensible reactions toward Taiwan's U.N. bid have damaged the sentiment of Taiwanese and proved to be a negative factor in promoting stable and durable relations between the two sides. They hurt the feeling of Taiwanese because, by all measurements, Taiwan is well qualified for U.N. membership.
As a mature democracy and economic powerhouse, Taiwan would be a great asset to the world body in promoting political, economic, social and health-care progress in developing countries. Taiwan's unique experiences and successes in eradicating poverty and illiteracy, achieving social affluence and narrowing the wealth gap are also great pluses for U.N. humanitarian efforts worldwide.
Above all, except for China's bellicosity toward Taiwan, Taiwan has a track record of being able to live in friendship and mutual respect with its Asian neighbors as a law-abiding and peace-loving country.
Hence, it is to be hoped that the United Nations will uphold its principles of universality and reconsider Taiwan's application based on its merits as a peace-loving and independent entity. Taiwan was never a part of the PRC. Allowing China to continue to hold the United Nations hostage to Beijing's political blackmail only undermines the United Nations' international image as a universal, transparent, fair and non-biased world institution.
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