Taiwan Tries To Come To Terms

Taiwan authorities will put on public display for the first time today the original 1842 Treaty of Nanjing that forced China to surrender Hong Kong to British control, to commemorate the end of colonialism on Chinese soil. On Saturday, tens of thousands of Taiwanese will march in a mass demonstration in Taipei called Say No to China, Say Yes to Taiwan to show Taiwan is already an independent country and to oppose unification with China along the lines of the one country, two systems model devised for Hong Kong. On the eve of Hong Kongs reversion to Chinese sovereignty, Taiwan is watching events in the territory with feelings of ambivalence. Nationalist pride is tinged with apprehension that one master may be replaced by another perhaps less benevolent - and with stated ambitions to fold Taiwan under the wing of the motherland next. This ambivalence is embodied in the very title of the Nanjing Treaty exhibition at Taiwans National Palace Museum, repository of imperial Chinese treasures spirited away before the 1949 communist takeover. Humilia-tion and revival from the Treaty of Nanjing to the Japanese Surrender: a special exhibition of diplomatic documents concerning the Republic of Chinas struggle for freedom and equality recalls Chinas mistreatment at the hands of foreign oppressors but also hints at Taiwans hard-won democratic transformation in recent years. Officially, Taiwans ruling Nationalist party advocates eventual reunification with China, but only after China becomes as democratic and prosperous as Taiwan. The views of ordinary Taiwanese toward Hong Kongs impending transition and its significance for Taiwan vary, but most evince a wariness wherever they stand on the political spectrum. After Hong Kong returns to Chinese sovereignty, the people in China and Hong Kong believe Taiwan will be next, said Chou Hui-chen, a graduate student. "� FT

 

But in Taiwan, the percentage of people who want to reunify is actually quite small, especially after last years missile tests.Ms Chou says she favours conditional reunification some day. If Taiwan people can maintain their own political system and living standards then it should be fine. But if reunification means sacrificing democracy and freedom then I am against it, she said. Mr Richard Hsiao, who works at a bank, does not see Hong Kong as a model for Taiwan. My family has always strongly believed Taiwan should be independent, he said. My parents want nothing to do with China. They even forbid me to marry a mainlander. In Taiwan the term mainlander refers to those who fled the Chinese mainland following Chinas civil war which ended in 1949. Ms Huang Chu-li, a secretary, has relatives in Hong Kong and is not especially concerned about the handover but will be keeping a close eye on developments. I dont think there will be much impact on Taiwan, although were not too sure about economic and trade relations. Anyway Im going to visit Hong Kong on my holiday next month just to take a look around. Mr Jeremy Chen, a chiropractor, said Taiwan is watching very closely to see how China treats Hong Kong. If things go smoothly then we will be able to relax, and maybe talk to China about reunifying eventually. But if China interferes too much in Hong Kong affairs, abuses the freedom and civil rights of Hong Kong people, or doesnt allow Hong Kong to govern itself then people in Taiwan will be afraid. Taiwan may prefer to be an independent country, but this may be impossible, Mr Chen said. We have to be realistic - unfortunately China likes to use force and nobody wants a war. Look - China wont even let us join the World Health Organisation, which has nothing to do with politics, much less the United Nations. Ultimately we dont have a choice - well probably have to reunify someday. But it will take years and years - first we have to see what happens in Hong Kong and wait until

Chinas living standard is equal to Taiwans. Laura Tyson Copyright Financial Times Limited 1997. All Rights Reserved.