No to forced annexation

After President Chen was re-elected for the second term, the government of Taiwan has continuously tried to reach out to the People’s Republic of China with olive branches and hoped that cross-Strait relations could be improved. Nonetheless, the Chinese government responded every time, without exception, with attacks against Taiwan. The recent development in the Taiwan Strait will negatively affect not Taiwan’s democratic development but regional stability.

China issued a statement about its intention of enacting an anti-separation law (“anti-secession law” as PRC refers to it) and has submitted draft bill to the National People’s Congress in March for further deliberation and passage. The abovementioned PRC movement is aimed specifically at Taiwan. To Taiwan, this is unilateral change of the status quo, a very serious provocation, and an absolutely unnecessary escalation of tension for the following points.

After 1949, the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China have been two separate entities and the two have no jurisdictions over each other. This is the fact that has existed for 56 years and has become the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Peaceful coexistence should be a common goal between the two, rather than forceful annexation or upsetting the status quo without any peaceful negotiation.

Moreover, China defines the current status as “unified” and that it has jurisdiction over Taiwan. In doing so, China unilaterally changes the status quo. In enacting the law, China makes it more explicit than ever in the use of force against Taiwan as the law will legalize the use of force.

Enacting an anti-separation law is certain to upset the delicate trilateral balance between U.S., China and Taiwan and poses a direct challenge to the international community that wishes to maintain a stable “ status quo’’ in the Taiwan Strait. In short, the said law and PRC’s military buildup, with missile and submarine deployment, have become the most serious threat to the region’s peace and stability. For these reasons, I would urge the international community to expressed explicit concern or opposition to China when China acts to enact the anti-separation law.

Fong Wu
President
United Chinese Association of Guam