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.