Embracing Taiwan's independence

Lung-chu Chen

China has become more and more vocal in its opposition to what it calls "incremental Taiwan independence." It opposes any form of Taiwan independence.

But what does "Taiwan independence" mean? It means that Taiwan has an independent na-tional status, that it is a sovereign nation. This nation is not part of the jurisdiction of the PRC, nor is it ruled by Beijing. It is not a Chinese province, nor is it one of China's domestic problems. Not for one single day during the 53 years since the establishment of the PRC on Oct. 1, 1949, has China ruled Taiwan, nor has Taiwan for a single day been under its jurisdiction. Taiwan's independence has been the political reality in the Taiwan Strait for a long time.

There are four crucial components to the modern nation state: a people, an effectively controlled territory, a government and the ability to interact with other nations in the international arena. Having a name is not crucial to obtaining statehood.

People emphasizing these four components of statehood say that Taiwan is an independent and sovereign state. People who em-phasize the name ROC say that the ROC is an independent and sovereign state. Sovereignty means having the ultimate power to deal with domestic and international affairs. Being "independent" means that a state is independent from interference, rule and the jurisdiction of other states.

Sovereignty and independence are the characteristics of a state. Taiwan possesses both. Today's Taiwan is democratic and free because it is independent from China. Taiwan's economic development is rooted in its independence, which also explains why Taiwan can democratize and localize. It is because of the reality of Taiwan independence, that it can avoid PRC or Chinese Communist Party rule and jurisdiction and avoid becoming communist. This also explains how it is that Taiwan has been able to adjust to global trends towards liberal economics, democracy and civil society and transform a political body relying on martial law, authoritarianism and White Terror into a democratic and free country respecting human rights.

The people of Taiwan have sacrificed much and struggled together relentlessly to transform our overseas independence movement into a domestic democracy movement. Martial law and authoritarianism were replaced by democracy, and KMT one-party dictatorship was removed by a peaceful transfer of power.

Taiwan has developed a unique political, economic, social and cultural system, developing in the process a national awareness based on popular sovereignty and the feeling of a common future. Anyone who recognizes Taiwan as his or her own country is Taiwanese, regardless of when they arrived in Taiwan.

In short, it could be said that Taiwan independence is the foundation of Taiwan's existence and development. Without Tai-wan independence, the Taiwan of today would not exist.

The Chinese Communist Party's desire to force Taiwan to accept the "one China" principle is a desire to change Taiwan's actual status as an independent nation and bring it under the rule of the PRC.

An absolute majority of the people of Taiwan want to maintain the status quo. That is Tai-wan's status as an independent state. Even now, however, people still start puffing as soon as they hear the words "Taiwan indepen-dence" and begin to argue with independence advocates, trying to blur the facts with emotional and abusive rhetoric instead of rational thinking and dialogue.

Why? Because the KMT during its long hold on power demonized and poisoned the concept of independence -- equating it with poison (the slogan "Independence is poison" can still be seen on the walls in the prison on Green Island which used to house political prisoners).

In today's democratic and free Taiwan we have to earnestly and solemnly work to find an antidote to this view of "Taiwan independence" and make everyone understand that it is a good thing, not a bad thing. People should not start trembling with fear as soon as they hear the words.

Furthermore, Taiwan independence is a thing of beauty. Caring for Taiwan independence is to care for Taiwan. Caring for Taiwan independence is to protect Taiwan's status as a sovereign and independent state. It is to protect our existing democracy, liberty and way of life, and to realize the concept of popular sovereignty. Independence is something worthy of our pride, something that we should value, and something we should work hard to protect.

Make no mistake about it, Taiwan is a sovereign, independent state, but this state is not yet a formalized state. To create a formalized state both in fact and in name, we have to work together and strive in the direction of the following goals:

One, the strengthening of the idea that Taiwan is a sovereign and independent state, and that anyone who recognizes Taiwan as his or her own country is Taiwanese.

Two, the guarantee that the future of Taiwan will be decided by its people.

Three, the creation of a new Constitution centered on Taiwan.

Four, admission into the UN.

Five, the maintenance of a friendly, equal and mutually beneficial relationship of coexistence with China.

Six, the promotion of a Taiwanese spirit that sees Taiwan as an independent nation, that advocates ethnic solidarity and tolerance and friendly cooperation with the international community, thereby contributing to humanity and working for sustainable development within the global community in the 21st century.

Chen Lung-chu is chairman of the Taiwan New Century Foundation.