When the US and China Make Peace, Taiwan Must Protect Itself

Published in Taiwan Times
(Taiwan) on 30 October 2019
by (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Jennifer Sampson. Edited by Helaine Schweitzer.
Last week, Vice President Mike Pence was once again critical of China in a speech that was well-received by many in Taiwan. According to media reports and analysts, however, with this speech, Pence expressed hope that Congress will not pass acts that more strongly support Hong Kong and do damage to the deals Donald Trump is trying to reach in the U.S.-China trade war. Former President of the Republic of China Chen Shui-bian responded to a reporter’s question on this issue by saying, “If U.S. interests conflict with Taiwan’s interests, Taiwan’s interests must be sacrificed to ensure those of the U.S.” If one imagines that interaction between China and the U.S. is focusing on peace, not war, then the goal of the trade war is to ultimately seek cooperation. Taiwan must clearly understand this.

America does not consider Taiwan to be a part of the American democratic system of government. Being pro-American is a natural choice for us, and we must cooperate with U.S. international and economic strategy. Still, when a country is in the midst of unusual international changes, those in power should have autonomy over the future of their country’s development. Being pro-America does not mean that we can relax. Taiwan’s present situation is unique. If our views of national identity are diverse, how much more muddled is the international community’s understanding of Taiwan? How much of our country’s interest does Taiwan have to sacrifice to ensure the interests of the U.S. are met?

In his recent criticism of China, Pence reiterated what he said last year, this time praising Taiwan as a beacon for Chinese culture and democracy, and stating that the U.S. stands with Taiwan and Hong Kong. But is it correct to put Taiwan and Hong Kong on the same level? And isn’t lumping Taiwan and Chinese culture together creating the same image of Taiwan that the Kuomintang government spread internationally during its time in power?

When Pence speaks of Taiwan and Hong Kong as if their situations are similar, how are people in mainstream American society supposed to regard the relationship between China, Taiwan and Hong Kong? The U.S.-Taiwan relationship relies on upholding the Taiwan Relations Act, which is part of the foundation for maintaining Taiwan’s status quo. Regarding Hong Kong, the U.S. has the Hong Kong Policy Act, which recognizes China’s “one country, two systems” framework. While the U.S. and China have official diplomatic relations, Taiwan and the U.S. do not. As the saying goes, without diplomatic relations, a thousand words are merely smoke. Taiwan, as a small country, must clearly recognize this reality and maintain a policy to protect itself at all times.



美國副總統彭斯上周再次發表批中演說,我國各界一片正面評價,但有媒體報導,分析家認為,彭斯這個演說,是盼國會不要通過力道更強的挺港法案,以免川普渴望的美中貿易協議破局;前總統陳水扁接受本報記者就此議題提問時,回應提到「如果美國利益與台灣利益衝突,也只能犧牲台灣利益來確保美國利益」。想想美中互動的重點在「和」而非「戰」,貿易戰的目標在尋求最終的合作,我國必須要有清楚的認知。

美國民主又不視台灣為該國的一部分,我國親美是自然的選擇,配合美方的國際戰略、經貿布局,也是一定要的,但在詭異的國際情勢變化中,當權者更該要有為國家未來方向發展的掌控,親美不表示能放心,我國的「現況」特殊,就連國內的國族認同都很多元,何況國際社會對台灣的認識,更是混淆不清。若有個萬一,台灣有多少的利益能犧牲,來確保美國利益呢?

彭斯這次演說批中多重申去年所言,這次盛讚台灣是中華文化與民主的燈塔,並表示與台灣、香港站在一起。把台灣跟香港同等看待,這樣的位階認知是正確嗎?把台灣跟中華文化圈在一起,不正是國民黨政府時代在國際散播的台灣形象嗎?

當彭斯在演講中將台港如等同地位般談及,美國主流社會普羅大眾,又如何看中台港關係呢?台美關係是靠台灣關係法維繫,此法是保持台灣現狀的基礎之一;而香港,美國有香港政策法,此法承認中國一國兩制的框架,

美中有邦交,台美並沒有,「千言萬言盡如煙,沒有邦交皆是空」,台灣國小須認清現實,隨時要有自保之策。
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