The New Role of
Taiwan in the World Community
Lung-chu Chen
With Chen
Sui-bian's new administration in the making, the Taiwanese people are
increasingly concerned what role should Taiwan play in the international
community? As a sovereign independent state, Taiwan should strive to be a
"normal" state both in name and in fact, and participate actively in the
international arena. It should do its utmost to enhance international
peace and security as well as Taiwan's national security and sustained
development.
In order to overcome its diplomatic isolation, Taiwan must break away from
the bounds and limits of traditional diplomacy. It should keep in tune
with the international civil society and network with transnational
non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It would be important for Taiwan to
accentuate its democratic diplomacy, diplomacy through economy and trade,
good-neighbor diplomacy, all people's diplomacy, humanitarian diplomacy
and environmental diplomacy.
Here I'm making three concrete suggestions:
First, Taiwan's diplomacy should be Taiwan-oriented. Whether in bilateral
or multi-lateral arenas, Taiwan should be proud to call itself Taiwan, and
not to be confused with China. Such a clear national identity is crucial
for Taiwan to win international respect and support.
Second, it is time to establish an all-people's academy for diplomacy.
Such an academy would be designed neither for high academic research nor
for educating degree recipients. The idea is to train tens of thousands of
people from all walks of life so that they may become de facto goodwill
ambassadors when they are abroad.
The third proposal is to establish an International Caring Fund of Taiwan,
and extend, out of " love-your-neighbor-like-yourself, " a helping hand to
people in distress in foreign lands.
The new era will bring new challenges and new opportunities. The island
nation of Taiwan must get out of the trap of " one China, " and become a
normal state free of fear as soon as possible. |