This month, the core interests of the people of Taiwan were listed by the Mainland Affairs Council: democracy, security, sovereignty, meaningful participation, cross-strait relations, discrimination and survival. These issues are set to play an important role in the development of the ROC as it begins its second century next year.
Since the lifting of martial law in July 1987, the ROC has attempted to embrace democracy. And after a few decades, there is certainly room for improvement. For example, there should not be any more “shootings” at election time, and legislators and politicians should spend more time providing services to their constituents rather than engaging in empty talk.
Ever since the 1980s, Taiwan has led mainland China in practicing real democracy. Why else would former ROC President Chiang Ching-kuo have allowed the formation of Taiwan’s opposition Democratic Progressive Party in September 1986? It is because he believed that democracy would be inevitable after a period of robust economic development—a reality in any country or region—when people are well educated as in Taiwan. He also knew that the move would put Beijing on the back foot.
Indeed, after keeping mum on the issue of democracy for several decades, Yu Keping, deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China’s Central Compilation and Translation Bureau, said in October 2006 that democracy with Chinese characteristics is a good thing. Yu should keep in mind that only when mainland Chinese can speak freely without fear and choose their national leaders will they truly be considered free.
It should be noted that in late November, DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen said her party would be willing to interact with the communists. This enlightened statement is in keeping with the argument that political parties in Taiwan should promote democracy on the Chinese mainland. After all, the more democratic Beijing becomes, the greater the probability that the ROC government can maintain the appearance of providing security for the people of Taiwan. To be sure, in the 21st century, practicing democracy can be an effective offensive-defensive weapon, or what Joseph S. Nye Jr. calls “soft power.”
Sovereignty and the right to meaningfully participate in the international sphere go hand in hand. The latter actually refers to the ROC’s right to participate in bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization and the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change. The former must be redefined because in order to survive, all countries must join international organizations.
The future direction of cross-strait relations should be understood in terms of the ROC Constitution because to this day, the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou has not abandoned its claim over mainland China. If Beijing is democratic and prosperous, there is every reason for the ROC government to embrace it.
The issue of discrimination when it comes to trade and commerce are equally important. So long as the ROC government does not promote Taiwan independence, it is doubtful that Beijing would obstruct its inking of free trade agreements and trade pacts with other countries and territories. Although no FTAs have been signed following September’s conclusion of the cross-strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, there is hope that Singapore might be the first cab off the rank sometime in 2011 or the year after.
Taiwan’s traditional industries and the chances of their survival in a more liberalized trade environment are a more serious concern.
Before joining the World Trade Organization, Beijing was also fearful of rising unemployment as its agricultural and manufacturing sectors faced decimation in the wake of global competition. In September, the former head of mainland China’s Assets Supervision and Administration Commission said nearly 5,000 state-owned enterprises went bankrupt each year from 2002 to 2009. This does not augur well for Taiwan and all the ROC government can do is invest more in transforming industries and training workers to acquire new skills.
In sum, it is wise for Ma and the MAC to put democracy and Taiwan first. By doing so, this will benefit people on the two sides of the strait now and by the time the ROC celebrates its bicentennial Jan. 1, 2111.
—Peter Kien-hong Yu is a professor at the Malaysian campus of Australia’s Swinburne University of Technology. These views are the author’s and not necessarily those of Taiwan Today. Copyright © Peter Kien-hong Yu
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