Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
05TAIPEI727 | 2005-02-23 10:15:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | American Institute Taiwan, Taipei |
1. Summary: Only the two limited circulation English- language newspapers in Taiwan continued to editorialize about the joint statement of the U.S.-Japan Consultative Committee, while almost all Taipei dailies focused their coverage on local politics. The centrist "China Times" carried on its front page President George W. Bush's comment in Brussels on lifting the arms ban toward China by the European Union, while the largest Taiwan daily, the pro-independence "Liberty Times" spent half of its page two discussing the possible contents and impact of China's "anti- secession" law, which is scheduled to be passed in early March. 2. An editorial in the limited circulation, conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post" called on the people in Taiwan to note that the "noticeable inclusion [of the issue of tensions in the Taiwan Strait in the U.S.-Japan security pact] reflected the two countries' increasing uneasiness about China's growing military might and a concerted effort by them to keep an emerging superpower in check." It also urged Taiwan to seek to thaw its relations with Beijing so that Taiwan does not have to make a huge military investment. The limited- circulation, pro-independence, English-language "Taiwan News," however, said in its editorial that Washington and Tokyo's decision should lead the Taiwan people to take more seriously their own obligations for self- defense instead of fostering complacency or dependence on the protection of other countries. End summary. A) "Joint U.S.-Japan Effort to Contain a Rising China" The conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post" [circulation: 30,000] noted in an editorial (2/23): "We in Taiwan must not see Saturday's joint declaration by Washington and Tokyo to include the issue of tensions in the Taiwan Strait in the scope of their alliance simply as an expression of a shared concern about the security of this island. There is something more to it: The noticeable inclusion also reflected the two countries' increasing uneasiness about China's growing military might and a concerted effort by them to keep an emerging superpower in check. "Taiwan surely should welcome the U.S. and Japan's proclamation that easing tensions in the Taiwan Strait was part of their `common strategic objectives' and that they intend to make it a goal to encourage a `peaceful resolution of issues concerning the Taiwan Strait through dialogue.' "But Taipei needs to understand that the decision by the two governments for the first time to cover Taiwan, along with North Korea, in their bilateral security treaty as an issue of concern was prompted also by their own strategic interests. An understanding by Taipei of this broad background will help it avoid making mistakes in addressing relations with Washington, Tokyo and Beijing in particular. . ". [T]he reason that Washington wanted to put Taiwan into the joint U.S.-Japan declaration might not entirely be a consideration for this island's security. Rather the U.S. government hoped that Japan from now on assume a bigger role in blocking the military expansion of China. This is because the U.S., too, has begun to feel the threat of Beijing's growing military strength. . "In short, Taipei must not unrealistically take Tokyo and Washington's heightened concern about Taiwan's security as a new policy of their willingness to side with this island against Beijing. It would be seriously wrong to believe that this island could thus push ahead with plans to pursue formal independence without having to worry about retaliation from China. When the U.S. and Japan expressed hope that Taiwan and China would resolve their differences peacefully, they also meant that neither side should provoke the other by seeking to change the status quo. "Any attempt by Taipei to use the newfound opportunity to build an alliance with the U.S. and Japan to antagonize China would also be seriously wrong. Even Washington and Tokyo, while wary of China's growing military strength, want to do their best to improve their relations with that country, rather than pursuing a confrontational approach. "Taiwan, a small island which has become increasingly reliant on the Chinese mainland for economic growth, naturally cannot afford to continuously treat Beijing like an enemy. It is in Taiwan's best interests to achieve a thaw in Beijing's relations. "An improvement of such ties would not only help Taiwan secure a greater share of the mainland market, it may also eliminate the need for us to continue to make a huge military investment, which has become financially unbearable for us." B) "Taiwan Cannot Just Depend on Others" The pro-independence, English-language "Taiwan News" [circulation: 20,000] editorialized (2/23): "The United States and Japan sent a clear and welcome message to the People's Republic of China February 19 to rein in its intensifying campaign on the military, diplomatic and legal fronts to pressure Taiwan to accept `unification,' peaceful or otherwise. "However, the expression of concern by Washington and Tokyo should lead Taiwan citizens to take more seriously our own obligations for self-defense instead of fostering complacency or dependence on the protection of other Pacific powers. . "The point manifests the fact that although the positions of Washington and Tokyo on the Taiwan Strait problem are gradually converging, the triangular relationship between the U.S., Japan and the PRC continues to be extremely delicate. "The U.S. and Japan have used the joint security statement to express their grave concern over the expansion of the PRC's military clout and the aggressive nature of its deployment. However, the two Pacific powers clearly still hope that Beijing can play a constructive mediating role to resolve the festering crisis in North Korea and also do not wish to provoke the PRC. "Therefore, Taiwan should not lapse into excessive optimism and exaggerate the implications on Saturday's new development and neglect our own responsibility and obligation for our own defense or let down our guard against the PRC. . "The inability of our country, for reasons of partisan antagonism and ideological disputes, to act in accordance with its own national interests will inevitably lead to a day when the U.S. and Japan are no longer willing to act as our effective protectors. If Taiwan cannot become recognized as a country, then its reliance on `reflected interests' from the Japan-U.S. security alliance will ultimately be limited. "The Taiwanese people should strive to join with the U.S. and Japan to sign a joint mutual security treaty and should not sanguinely expect to receive the protection of foreign countries." PAAL |