Is democracy scarier than missiles?

[dArKeR]

President Chen Shui-bian (???) on Tuesday outlined "one principle and four major issues" to demonstrate the Democratic Progressive Party's determination to fulfill its historic mission. The legitimacy and public support for his "one principle and four major issues" will be decided by the expression of the people's desire, in the form of a referendum, to negotiate with China on an equal basis.

In this election, Chen obviously has the initiative in terms of cross-strait relations. He has repeatedly explained to China and the international community Taiwan's wishes and the blueprint for its status in the cross-strait relationship. China may not accept that framework and blueprint in their entirety. If it rejects them, it can come up with a stance of its own. The two sides of the Taiwan Strait can seek a mutually acceptable consensus in these exchanges. Of course, direct negotiation -- not hollering at each other from afar -- is the best approach.

Chen's cross-strait policy does not follow the self-limitations imposed by the former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) government which, faced with China's military threats, took its cue from Beijing and constrained itself inside a small circle, waiting for an opportunity for the Republic of China to retake "the mainland" and pinning its hopes on some dramatic political change there. Chen is not blindly waiting for the distant possibility of unification, China's democratization, or the baptism of a new Chinese leadership willing to implement democratic reforms.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/edit/archives/2004/02/05/2003097550

[Old and In the Way]

1. I would think it would be in the best interests of both countries

to recognize each other's sovereignty and be done with it. Certainly PRC has more than enough to deal with on the Mainland and Taiwan should be happy to have the 900lb gorilla off it's back. Sign a non-agression pact and let each country deal with their own affairs. Only ones who win are the military industrial complexes that make money building weapons they will probably never use.

Seems like they need to recognize each other...Taiwan is counting on getting factories set up in China to compete in a global market and China can use Taiwan investment capital.

I've met a few Taiwanese and they are very patriotic and condescending to the Chinese, almost racist. That needs to change...they'll be eating humble pie in 10 years.