GOP, Bush and Taiwan
Lung-chu Chen
The
four-day GOP National Convention ended on August third. George W. Bush and
Dick Cheney have formally become GOP presidential and Vice-presidential
candidates for the November election.
In accepting the Republican Party's presidential nomination, Bush pledged
to work for international peace and to install a missile defense system
despite opposition from Russia, China and some US allies. As for its
policy toward Taiwan, the GOP platform has made it crystal clear. Echoing
the position of George W. Bush, the GOP platform defined China as a
"strategic competitor" rather than a "strategic partner." The platform
emphasized that "all issues regarding Taiwan's future must be resolved
peacefully and must be agreeable to the people of Taiwan." Denying "the
right of Beijing to impose its rule on the free Taiwanese people," the
platform stated that "if China violates these principles and attacks
Taiwan, then the US will respond appropriately in accordance with the
Taiwan Relations Act." The platform also supports Taiwan's admission to
WTO and to WHO.
Although President Clinton indicated early this year that any future
settlement about Taiwan must have the assent of the people of Taiwan, it
is highly significant that the GOP platform for the first time clearly
affirms that the will of the Taiwanese people is the key to the future of
Taiwan.
As the presidential race heats up, the US policy toward Taiwan and China
will be an important campaign issue. As of now, it is unlikely that there
will be a fundamental change in US policy, but the policy process never
stands still. Given America's importance for Taiwan's national security
and international position, we must pay close attention to any indications
of a new policy direction. The Taiwanese government and people should work
closely together, especially with the Taiwanese Americans in the U.S., to
fully inform the American government and people regarding: Taiwan's
democratic experience and economic achievements, the separate existence of
Taiwan and China, the will of the Taiwanese people to defend Taiwan's
sovereignty and independence, and Taiwan's commitment to maintain regional
and world peace.
May God help the peace-loving Taiwanese people to help themselves. |