China’s allergy against any support for Taiwan keeps getting worse. As it is with allergy, it tends to be chronic and thus the best remedy is to stay away from what actually creates the allergy reaction. In the case of China, the best cure for China’s allergy would be to set Taiwan free and let the Taiwanese themselves decide their future.
By Michael Danielsen, Chairman Taiwan Corner.
Published on Taiwan Corner, February 8. 2010.
China’s allergy against any support for Taiwan keeps getting worse. As it is with allergy, it tends to be chronic and thus the best remedy is to stay away from what actually creates the allergy reaction. In the case of China, the best cure for China’s allergy would be to set Taiwan free and let the Taiwanese themselves decide their future. It will not only allow Taiwan’s self-determination and cure China’s allergy, it will also create a new friend for China, namely Taiwan. China is in the lucky situation that its allergy is curable since it stems from an unfounded historical belief that Taiwan belongs to China.
China’s overreaction to USA’s sale of defense weapons to Taiwan shows that China has not yet understood what is best for all the involved parties and for its allergy. China has reacted more strongly than before by threatening USA with sanctions and calling the weapons sale a violation of international law and at the same time stating that China is strong – “Yes, we are strong” as China’s foreign minister declared in Munich. Of course China does not see any wrongdoing in having 1000-1500 missiles pointed at Taiwan and an anti-session law from March 2005 allowing military actions against Taiwan.
In the same line of thinking, China does not see any troubles with its own military spending and missiles after two years of negotiations between Taiwan and China regarding Chinese investments in Taiwan, banks, financial institutions and the establishment of direct flights and Chinese tourists coming to Taiwan. So of course, Taiwan should not allow itself to receive a reduced weapon package that have been some years on its way, and does not include for instance F16 fighter jets or submarines as in the full package.
One thing is certain, China will continue to get allergy reactions. The reason is that China will continue to maintain that Taiwan is part of China no matter how their relationship developments and regardless of the kind of free trade agreement they seems to be able to sign in May 2010. Therefore, the Taiwanese have the right to defend itself.
