文章內容: While reminding Taiwan to remain alert to all subsequent developments over the tension ignited by North Korea's nuclear weapons program, academics at a seminar yesterday said that Taiwan should take the crisis as an opportunity to highlight its democratic reforms.
"Taiwan should take this opportunity to promote its positive image -- for example, the development of democracy, its economic strength and modernization -- to the international community to offer an example that counters the North Korean regime," said Kuo Chien-chung (郭建中), a professor at the Graduate Institute of China Studies of Tamkang University, at a seminar hosted by the TaiwanNew Century Foundation, a pro-Taiwan independence think tank.
The seminar was held to discuss the effects and possible impacts on North Korea's nuclear program to regional security in Northeast Asia.
North Korea admitted to a secret nuclear arms program last October. Fears over regional security intensified when it abruptly carried out anti-ship missile tests on the eve of the inauguration of South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun late last month and was reported to have fired up a key nuclear reactor.
Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Vice Chairman Chen Ming-tong (陳明通), who also took part in the seminar, said, "The North Korean regime is very different from ours.
"Via the nuclear crisis ignited by North Korea, Taiwan can take this opportunity to sell its positive image to the international community to show the world how different Taiwan is from North Korea."
Chen also said that the government's approach to the North Korean crisis is to remain alert, and keep abreast of both China's reaction and US-China interaction.
"Washington has stated that it is not prepared to compromise its support for Taiwan to get China's help in persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program," Chen said, referring to the US' effort to lobby China to use its influence on North Korea.
"And thus what the government will do is continue to remain observant and monitor all interaction between Washington and Beijing."
Foundation chairman Chen Lung-chu (陳隆志) said, "Regarding the things within the nation's control, [Taiwan] should do its best; regarding the things outside of the nation's reach, [Taiwan] should remain alert and cautious." ……