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The State-to-State Relationship Is Not a
"Quasi-International Relationship" As the presidential election draws closer here in Taiwan, presidential candidates one after another have been putting forth their positions on the China policy. One of the candidates has sought to define the Taiwan-China relations in terms of "quasi-international relations." This view is apparently incorrect. Taiwan and China are two separate States. The
State to State relationship is a form of international relationship, not a
quasi-international relationship. The People's Republic of China and the
island nation of Taiwan coexist side by side. Because of the shared cultural and ethnic heritage, geographical proximity, and economic complementarity, Taiwan and China form a "special State to State relationship," an international relationship nevertheless. The content of this special relationship should be worked out peacefully by both Taiwan and China in quest of their common interests. When two States deal with each other, the principle of sovereign equality under international law should be the guide. The policy of "one China, each according to
its own interpretation," with all its inherent ambiguities, has posed "a
clear and present danger" to Taiwan, when "China" is increasingly taken to
mean "only the People's Republic of China (PRC), and Taiwan is a part of
China." President Lee's injunction of the special State to State
relationship, though belated, came to the rescue in the nick of time. His
stand has had the overwhelming support of the Taiwanese people. The
Taiwanese people will just say NO to the new scheme of
"quasi-international relations." |