China is keeping the Taiwan separatists guessing in confusion
Lau Guan Kim  Updated: 2004-03-08 09:21

Chen Shui-bian's demand to be recognised as head of state: A Euphemism for Taiwan independence

On the basis of the international recognition of Taiwan as a province and integral part of China, it has no state status.

China stands by its sine qua non (condition) that Taiwan recognise this fact - there is One China and not two, or One China and another state vis-à-vis Taiwan. That means Taiwan is a territory of China.

Chen Shui-bian is a leader of the faction in Taiwan overtly agitating for Taiwan as a separate state. The demand that China negotiate with Chen Shui-bian as a head of state belies his desire declare Taiwan independence

This would mean that China must recognise Taiwan as a state, an insidious ploy by Chen Shui-bian to trick China, as if the Chinese leaders are fools, into recognising Taiwan independence.

In no way China would be amiable to talk to Chen Shui-bian as a head of state.

Until Chen Shui-bian and the Taidu recognise Taiwan is an integral part of China, there is no basis for any further talk on reunification.

Chen Shui-bian's demand that he be recognised as head of a state defeats the meaning of reunification.

Unless this stand is corrected, the path to war is inevitable.

Another solution is for the Chinese in Taiwan to vote him out of office on 20 March

In the meantime China has not said or done anything that would be exploited by Chen Shui-bian to get support for independence and a second term in office. Its stand is a version of Deng Xiaoping's "white cat black cat" aphorism - that whether the Pan Blue or Pan Green wins on 20 March does not matter so long as either recognise Taiwan as part of China.

That is a correct stand taken by China and from now until 20 March, she will play it cool and nonchalant.

China is keeping the Taiwan separatists guessing in confusion.

Lau Guan Kim
Singapore
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The above content represents the view of the author only.

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