TMCnet News
EDITORIAL: Hu's visit: President Bush must not forget Taiwan(Tulsa World (OK) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Apr. 19--When Chinese President Hu Jintao visits President Bush this week there will be several big issues on the table, including China's huge trade surplus, its position on Iran's nuclear program and its poor human rights record. It is important that the issue of relations between China and Taiwan not be ignored or downplayed as Hu and Bush meet in Washington, D.C. Hu recently has been engaged in a public relations effort to build support in tiny Taiwan for reunification with China. Taiwan, an island of 22 million people 100 miles off the Chinese mainland, has for all intents and purposes been an independent nation since the communist takeover of the mainland in 1949. The United States, like most major nations, does not formally recognize Taiwan but nonetheless considers it an ally and a strong trade partner. In fact, the U.S. is pledged to assist in Taiwan's defense. Over the weekend in Beijing, Hu told a visiting group of Taiwanese politicians, academics and business leaders that Taiwan's leaders should agree to new talks on reunification. At the same time he announced several small concessions, including tariff cuts on imports of some commodities from Taiwan and slight loosening of restrictions on travel from the mainland to Taiwan. Taiwan's residents are split on the issue. Some want complete independence, some favor reunification and many prefer maintaining the status quo. But lurking beneath Hu's PR campaign is China's threat to attack if Taiwan pursues formal independence. He said Sunday that the "independence forces" in Taiwan -- he would include President Chen Shui-bian among them -- represent the biggest threat to peace in the region. That is ludicrous. None of the other countries in the region, Taiwan included, poses the slightest threat to China's security. In fact, Taiwan and other countries in the region are frightened by China's recent military buildup. Taiwan has done well in its not-quite-independent state. It has a successful democratic government with free elections, a thriving economy and an excellent education system that features universal access. It also has been a loyal friend and ally of the United States. President Bush is not likely to forget that during his talks with China's President Hu, nor should he. |