An article on the possibility of peaceful coexistence between Taiwan and China former United Microelectronics Corp (UMC) chairman Robert Tsao's proposal for a cross-strait peaceful coexistence law clearly excludes the option of independence. Taiwanese can only choose between unification and maintaining the "status quo," and both options are unfavorable to Taiwan. As for the unification option, China is an authoritarian one-party state controlled by the Chinese Communist Party(CCP), which does not allow opposition political parties that might threaten party rule. If unified, Taiwanese self-government rule would be severely compromised, if not erased completely. In terms of maintaining the "status quo," Beijing's "one China policy" has left Taiwan with only 24 tiny diplomatic allies while the world's leading powers, including the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia and Japan have severed diplomatic ties. Since it is unable to join the UN and other international organizations, Taiwan's security, health, economy and dignity are facing difficult challenges. This is the "status quo" we are left with. Moreover, peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are protected both by US-Japan cooperation and the US' Taiwan Relations Act. In terms of economic strength, China's total production value reached US$2.626 trillion last year while Taiwan's reached US$364 billion. Meanwhile, the US had US$13.194 trillion and Japan had US$4.365 trillion. Together, the US, Japan and Taiwan's output value was US$17.923 trillion -- about seven times higher than the Chinese figure. In light of the joint strength of the US, Japan and Taiwan, we should be able to effectively prevent a Chinese invasion. National self-determination tallies with the trend toward universal democratic values and is a principle protected by the UN Charter. China should not violate this trend. Joining with China to suppress Taiwanese independence is just the first step toward the goal of transforming Taiwan into another Hong Kong. The second step would consist of obliterating Taiwan by transforming it into a new Tibet.

Source: Taipei Times 19.12.07