JR Panganiban
Thesis Statement: We should not abrogate our ties with Taiwan
In the past Asia was known to have one of the greatest kingdoms. A place aspired by all great travelers with the common drive of finding gold, spices and most importantly the glory of finding new land. After the expeditions of Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan the myth of the new land has now come to life and trade began almost exponentially in hopes of gaining new goods like porcelain, silk and other products of the east.
As time went on it was no longer trade that the west wanted from the east but more of taking what wasn’t theirs. The race between the western countries began and it began to devastate and acquire the land, lives, and culture of the Asian people. After centuries of civilization it’s sad to say that it all went down to the iron clad of the west. Though after years of exploiting countries within Southeast Asia there was one country that stood its ground, it even took all the colonizers within its borders for it to fall and this was China.
China was known to be one of the most influential communist countries of our time, its principles of unity and abolition of social classes was one of the most ideal kind of society. Its political system was more divulged in its culture and unity more in tensed by their emperor. It was not a force to reckon with but due to bad faith everything had ended. With the western societies growth and China’s Closed Door policy firm they had no choice but to use force resulting in the Opium War and thus came the rape of China’s economy. It lost most of its territories to foreign power, Hong Kong and Macau went to the British and Taiwan went to the Japanese.
In the early days of New China, it formed an alliance with the Soviet Union and its allied countries to fight hostility, isolation and blockade by the United States with a turning to one side strategy. With the end to the Cold War the ties of China and the Soviet Union also ended. After years of serving the British rule it was only recently that they gave back to China their territories and due to negotiations Taiwan was again part of China. This however did not last long due to a historic civil battle between two ideological thoughts that succumbed its people the socialist China and the nationalist China. With the loss of the Nationalist China in the civil war it then lead to their retreat and occupation of Taiwan. As time continued both parties have built governments and considered themselves to the right full claim of calling themselves China. With the boost of Taiwans Economic growth and with China’s adherence to a still closed-door policy, Taiwan gained the seat and recognition in the United Nations but as the plot thickens, China’s influence and decision in opening its doors for economic trade ousted Taiwan from their seat and thus the declaration the United Nations as the People’s Republic of China being the sole China.
This now lead to the One-China Policy instituted by China and as a bargain to gain back Taiwan in hopes of a reunification.
China’s One China Policy is merely a position held only in name. Its creation is just simply a declaration that there is only one China and that it’s other system societies are just a part of it. The goal of China is national reunification under the principle of one country, two systems a principle that has worked in account of Macau and Hong Kong. With the ideals of placing Taiwan as part of their territory but the socialism type of government placed only on Mainland China and not on Macau, Hong Kong and hopefully Taiwan.
The ideals of Capitalism will still co-exist in their society; leaders voted upon their respective provinces will be recognized as part of the entire Chinese Government. Taiwan’s Social and Economic System will not change, nor their way of life and its non-governmental relations with other countries. Taiwan can exercise a high degree of autonomy and not be restricted to the ideals of the mainland government. Taiwan can enjoy its legislative and independent judicial powers free fully over their territory. It can retain its armed forces for the protection of its citizens and administer its party, governmental and military systems all by itself. The Mainland Government will not station troops or send administrative personnel there unless national sovereignty is compromised.
The consideration of taking political recognition of Taiwan with producing treaties and consular offices by any country is taking violation to the One-China Policy optimally imposed by the United Nations. Helping Taiwan through tactical, military and instrumental means of separatist movements is undeniably an act contrasting China’s principle and acting as a country that is violating the codes of international law by not recognizing the sovereignty of China and that its problems with Taiwan is an internal conflict and should not be of their concern. Though they are allowed economic privileges and informal meetings but the acceptance of Taiwan is simply in compliable. Its purpose is simply a peaceful reunification in accordance to Taiwan with goals of safeguarding the nation’s independence, security, sovereignty and peaceful coexistence.
With these set of principles it is hard not to wonder why Taiwan has not taken up the deal with China. Even the Taiwanese themselves seek peaceful co-existence with their fellow Chinese. The Chinese government is actively and sincerely striving for peaceful reunification through cross-straits negotiation and on the basis of equality and the one china principle.
The United States of America has always been a dominant factor whether economically, politically and militarily. It has kept its image as a super power to the extent of increasing its military presence here in Asia by targeting strategic locations as to where its power maybe felt. In regards to the China it has been known in history that the United States was one of the main leaders in its abuse and introducing the division of its lands for economic exploitation. As the past remains, its reign of power still continues to be admit here in Asia up until now. Its presence in the Philippines, Korea, Japan and other parts of Asia and with its bilateral and multi lateral agreements with countries regarding security and military installations, intelligence and logistic has continued to dominate. Since the cold war China has supported the Soviet Union in its battle against U.S. domination. The struggle for hegemonic stability and freedom in its domain has been the prime objectives of China but since then many changes have already risen, the opening of doors by China, its increased apathy for diplomatic relations and its continued growth both economically and politically.
With this consideration the U.S. has considered China to be the next threat in the global arena. Its continued growth could mean the rise of the nest super power. But before that let us first dissect the U.S. One China Policy. Since the Nixon Doctrine the United States has considered the People’s Republic of China the sole representation of the Chinese Country. Off seating the Taiwanese in the United Nations, with the promise of healthy Economic and Diplomatic Relations between the two countries but has it always been healthy. The United States has always been pragmatic in the affairs of the pacific always shelling its aid and protection in exchange for more in tensed diplomatic relations. As in the case of the Philippines wherein we have always followed the footsteps of our big brothers but in affect the United States has always shown its presence in the pacific, helping its allies and eliminating its foes.
In regards to the Korean War the People’s Republic of China responded to the aid of his ally by providing them military and financial support as a result the South Koreans opted for support outside its boundaries and seeing that the United States was its only hope sent for their help, with this the United States used this to their advantage. It was the first act in violation to China’s sovereignty. Even though President Truman issued a statement that the U.S. has recognized China’s rights over Taiwan this seemed like the staging point for its advancement in diplomatic relations for Taiwan. After assisting the South Koreans the United States had also sent troops to occupy Taiwan (remembering that Taiwanese asked for help to the United States regarding China) to isolate and contain the threat of China over Korea. They had not only sent troops but also statements like the status of Taiwan has not been determined and lobbied the Taiwanese in the International Community to create two Chinas. Naturally the Chinese Government opposed this movement, which created a drift between China and the United States. As time continued and even with the United Nations declarations of Taiwan being a part of China the United States has still not removed its military contingents out of the resolved issue of Taiwan being that its protection lies solely to the responsibility of China.
With the reasons as to that the United States would still like to keep its presence well established over Asia. And taking that into account the United States has continued to violate the One China Policy through its continued arms sales to Taiwan, the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act that resolves in treating Taiwan as a separate country it has also sent a signal to the already recalcitrant separatist forces and aggravate China’s Security Environment with Taiwan. The United States also issued the 2002 Supplement Act that because of recent events and the war against terror it has seized the right to operate its military forces in the Taiwan peninsula. It also asks for the immunity of Taiwanese Personnel from imprisonment for acts that are considered to be actions against terrorism. With these provisions it is clearly seen that the United States does not want to leave Taiwan and thus illuminating the issue of the One China Policy.
As to why the United States would clearly not want to leave Taiwan. It is reasons as to that the People’s Republic of China is considered to be the next super power and with the decrease of the United States hold over Asia. China being its next contender as a dominant figure, the United States has considered China now as bigger threat than it was before.
Our Foreign Policy in any count has always been just a puppet to the
United States Foreign Policy. Every act or decision that they have made, we have
just been that justification. When the war on terror was declared next to Prime
Minister Blaire’s declaration we were bound to be next. Since the beginning
the United States has been the prime mover of our country. Bringing it
step-by-step closer to being just another colony of the supreme power of the
United States. Just another country forcefully even at times willfully under the
control of our big brothers.
In the subject of China and our One China Policy we have again considered ourselves a puppet of the United States. When the United States recognized the Chinese Government we too recognized the Chinese government and supported the One China Policy. But now as the United States have supported the Taiwanese we too have showed our support through economic and cultural exchanges.
Since the beginning of the Aquino Presidency we have openly made relations to Taiwan. Having the Vice President Laurel with close ties with the Taiwanese government it’s hard too see that we too have violated the One China Policy. Even to the president we have encouraged more of our deals with Taiwan than with Mainland China. Is there anything political about this move? I believe so because even after President Aquino’s term and during the Ramos Administration we have continued to increase our ties with Taiwan. Considering the fact that President Ramos father was a former ambassador of the Chinese Community. Our export dealings have created a big factor towards our relations with Taiwan even to the point of inviting them over as official and diplomatic guests.
Our relations with China have not been flaring out as well than with Taiwan. During an economic crisis it was China who helped s out of our hole by providing us with resources that are almost free if you compute the equivalence of how much it was worth. And even with the Chinese government initializing that one of China’s goal was to help third world countries we still did not take advantage of this opportunity. This has been a question keened up by the group. We have found out that in the long run, being that China would become a big economic factor, that it is better to have healthier relationships with them. It would lead to a stronger relationship bilaterally through a strong economic backbone and better relations with a country closer to our home. The problem of the Spratlys would be better resolved and maybe bring a better outcome that would benefit our economic industry by providing the Philippines a source of resources.
Now even with these advantages how come the Philippines still figures it would be better to settle with Taiwan?
Considering the factors faced within us I therefore look back at the Philippine society. I see a country still in an economic crisis, corruption rampant in any seat of government, and us still conceding to factors that colonial in nature.
With the factors given above I believe that we should better advance our relationship towards China rather than continue a war that we started and get wrapped up to a problem that might implicate our country’s well being. In the long run it would prove that it would be more advantageous if we gave more priority to China than as of Taiwan. The projects and opportunities given to us by China have perceived to be more beneficial to us than out of any policy created by other countries. But as this new founded super power is still rising and that their focus are still left to the anxieties and problems within their country it safe to assume that we must first grab what we can hold on too for the sake of our tomorrow and worry about our future when we get there and to that context I believe that we should not break our ties with Taiwan just yet for we need to survive tomorrow
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