Taiwan determined not to be the next Hong Kong

Asia-Pacific Features

By David Chang Jul 1, 2007, 12:36 GMT

Taipei - When the United Kingdom returned Hong Kong to China on July 1, 1997, Beijing promised to allow the former British colony to preserve its capitalist system for 50 years under the 'one China, two systems' policy. Taiwan has carefully been watching developments there over the past decade, convinced that the policy was designed to not only govern Hong Kong, but also to woo Taiwan into the bosom of the motherland. Regarding itself as a sovereign country and not a Chinese province or a colony, Taiwan, the seat of the Republic of China's government-in-exile when the Chinese Nationalists fled the Communists in 1949, has refused to consider the 'one country, two systems' formula. President Chen Shui-bian has said on several occasions that Taiwan's 23 million people do not want to lose their freedom and democracy by letting Taiwan become the second Hong Kong. Chen's stance is supported by the majority in Taiwan, though many disapprove of his provoking China by seeking to rejoin the United Nations and his plan to rewrite Taiwan's constitution. Even the opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang or KMT), which favours eventual reunification with China, has declared the 'one country, two systems' model does not suit Taiwan. 'The people in every place have the right to decide their future,' KMT spokesman Su Chun-pin told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa. 'We are concerned about Hong Kong people's freedom, but Taiwan people won't accept the Hong Kong model because we are a sovereign country.' Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule after 156 years as a British colony and the 6.9 million residents have been allowed basic rights and to maintain their capitalist lifestyle, however Beijing clearly does not want to allow universal suffrage in Hong Kong in the short-term, even though the city's post-handover mini-constitution technically allows for it from 2007 onwards. Economically, however, Hong Kong has rebounded from the pre-takeover slump and is riding high on China's financial boom. In 2007, Hong Kong's economy is forecast to grow 4.5 per cent, compared to 5.0 in 1997. In the past decade, Taiwan's economy has lost momentum and is forecast to grow 4.2 per cent in 2007, down from 1997's 6.6 per cent. Competition from China has impacted the ranking of Taiwan's Kaohsiung Harbour, which dropped three places since 1997 to sixth among container ports worldwide. Hong Kong's harbour is ranked number two, dropping from the top spot in the same time period. China's cautious handling of Hong Kong's economy since the handover has been a useful bridge to link up with the outside world, according to Professor Yin Nai-ping from the National Chengchih University's Finance Department. 'Hong Kong has successfully integrated into the Chinese economy. China's economics boom has spurred Hong Kong's economy, while Hong Kong has become an important market for China. The two sides are inseparable now,' he said. Being integrated into mainland China is what Taiwan wants to avoid, however, the island is struggling to hold on to its sovereignty. Currently recognized by only 24 mostly-small nations, Taiwan or the Republic of China (ROC), has been shut out of the United Nations and the World Health Organization, among other world bodies. China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province, has offered Taipei greater autonomy than it has given Hong Kong and said 'anything can be discussed' so long as the 'one China' policy is accepted. China's peace overtures and Hong Kong's stability and prosperity have allayed some fears among Taiwanese in reunifying with China, with conditions. 'If Taiwan agrees to reunify with China, China must show greater flexibility and give Taiwan greater autonomy like allowing Taiwan to keep its army and to buy weapons from foreign countries,' Yang Tai-shun, a professor of politics at the Chinese Culture University, told dpa. But to Taiwan opposition's presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou, China must accord Taiwan adequate 'international space,' a euphemism for Taiwan maintaining diplomatic ties with foreign countries and joining world organizations, before Taipei can discuss reunification with Beijing. Ma recently changed his position and now backs Taiwan's application to rejoin the United Nations, which expelled the ROC government to accept Beijing as the legitimate representative of China in 1971. 'We regret that Taiwan does not have any representation in the UN. China cannot represent the 23 million Taiwan people. The KMT will try all possibilities to restore Taiwan's representation in the UN,' Ma said. China has blasted Taiwan's effort to rejoin the UN, denouncing it as Taiwan's plot to split the motherland and said the effort is doomed to fail. If Taiwan pushes too hard, China passed an anti-seccession law in 2005, threatening to recover the island by force if Taipei declared independence. What impact China's threat has on Taiwan's determination not to be the next Hong Kong remains to be seen. © 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

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pro-taiwanpatriotJul 1st, 2007 - 17:53:38

As a patriot of Taiwan and hater of the People's Republic of China, even I believe that Taiwan must reunite with China and accept their gracious offer of democracy, freedom, and prosperity they are offering. I have to admit, the governments of Taiwan, especially the DPP, have been brutal thug totalitarian governments while China is currently a shining example of true democracy. Polls taken in Taiwan have shown that 99% of the people of Taiwan support unconditional reunification with China, because the Taiwanese understand that we cannot go on living in poverty and dictatorships indefinitely. We must accept the generous proposals made by China, otherwise, we would lose the opportunity of our lifetime. Of course, Chen Shui-bian openly lies by quoting falsehoods that try to subvert us Taiwanese, but we will not fall for it.

How can we possibly be talking about peace, when Taiwan has cruise missiles pointed at civilian centers in China to maximize carnage and civilian casualties. China has recently dismantled all missiles pointed at Taiwan, because it wants to prove to the world of its peaceful intentions. Yet, Chen Shui-bian has ordered even MORE cruise missiles pointed at cities. This is fact.

It's terrible what Taiwan is doing to China. We should just accept the freedoms and liberties that China is willing to give to us, just like how 99% of the people of Hong Kong approve of the way China is governing that special administrative region and that is a fact too.

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pro-taiwan-imposterJul 1st, 2007 - 18:59:37

Very lame attempt there, ''pro-taiwanpatriot''.

It is quite clear, reading your post, where you loyalties lie and what your agenda is. Your little disinformation hand-book needs a major rewrite.

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WaltJul 1st, 2007 - 22:12:48

What a load of crap your first pro-taiwan patriot writes. He is probably a chinese communist spy,or propoganda thug whose sole aim in life is disinformation. Get a life you lying imbecile!

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WowJul 2nd, 2007 - 01:50:41

I wanted to stop reading the first post after just reading:

'As a patriot of Taiwan and hater of the People's Republic of China, even I believe that Taiwan must reunite with China and accept their gracious offer of democracy, freedom, and prosperity they are offering. I have to admit, the governments of Taiwan, especially the DPP, have been brutal thug totalitarian governments while China is currently a shining example of true democracy.'

I've been to China. Most brainwashed people ever. I'm sure you are Chinese and not Taiwanese. All of the Taiwanese that I have met are strong patriots and strongly believe that their future should solely belong to them and no one else.

First post writer, you are full of crap.

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uneducated_britJul 2nd, 2007 - 02:46:03

Jeepers Creepers.
Do you lot not think the first reply is sarcasm?!

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mmmJul 2nd, 2007 - 03:01:04

the first post employs a technique unknown to you morons known as 'sarcasm'

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Mr BobJul 2nd, 2007 - 07:47:14

If that is sarcasm its a pretty lame attempt at it! Seems much more political than sarcastic to me

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Normal human beingJul 2nd, 2007 - 17:14:55

The 1st poster is a cheap asshole just like every 'Chinese' we met in the US. Those Chinese believe that everyone is as moron as they do.
China have been filled with 1.3 billion of such idiots like the 1st poster. Taiwanese is too smart to despise such a bunch of shits as Chinese. All Taiwanese know those Chinese shits are too cheap to transform as normal human beings. Just watch & see, they are exactly like an old Chinese saysing: dogs will never change their behavior of eating shits!

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Pro TaiwanJul 2nd, 2007 - 18:32:04

Agreed. The first comment above is a perfect example of 'brain wash'. I'm mean, where did you obtain the information about 99%??????? The problem is there many of them here and they will continue to call us the true taiwan patriot as secessionists. what a shame! Please do not mislead people. the 99% thing is an absolute false! This is just irresponsible!

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Tony, OhioJul 3rd, 2007 - 15:49:42

The first poster is very ambitious and deserve credit for what he has written.

All the things he said is basically all false, infact, all are reversal in nature.

One thing is true, he is a true Taiwan patriot.

I presume he made this post to make all readers and comments after him, disagree with him and be pro-Taiwan and anti-China.

After reading the entries after him, he has really achieved his goal.

If you think about it, why would a true Taiwan Patriot write blatent reversal information about the China-Taiwan situation?

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