Home>>Opinion
Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, November 27, 2003

Commentary: false popular will, real selfishness

It is not difficult for a person with a discerning eye to see there are two "cards" in the hands of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for deceiving people: One is the "popular will" card, the other is the "lawful card". Actually, these two cards can't stand stroke, it punctures with a mere stroke.


PRINT DISCUSSION CHINESE SEND TO FRIEND


The treasured island of Taiwan has been seething with activities these days. In order to win in the war of election, both the blue and green parties are wrangling, stirring up people's mind, engaging in pile pulling, confounding right and wrong and calling black white, thus causing division of society and confusion in the minds of the people. Seeing this situation, people have doubts in their hearts. They ask: Is it that the "democracy" repeatedly advertised by "Taiwan independence" elements looks like this, and with which they are pleased themselves?

Originally, the topic for discussion in the war of election should come from popular feeling and popular will, the one who complies with popular feeling and popular will be elected by a majority of votes. In today's Taiwan, what is most needed by the people on the treasured island? What is the mainstream popular will? Undoubtedly, it is a peaceful environment, a stable work and a comfortable life. Specifically, the urgent need of Taiwan people is that the leaders can lead them to boost the economy, increase income, decrease unemployment and seek a peaceful and stable happy life. It is known to all that the Chinese mainland has seen rapid economic development and huge market potential over the past years, thus becoming an engine for boosting global economic growth. If the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) really takes people's livelihood as the foundation, it should try hard to forge a good relationship with the mainland and strengthen cross-strait exchange, so as to lay a foundation for future reunification and seek for wellbeing for Taiwan general public of future generations. However, since it came to power, the DPP has failed to develop the economy, instead it only put politics in command, refused to improve relations with the mainland, wantonly provoked disputes, these actions have resulted in a big increase of unemployment, a hard life for the people and a tense cross-strait relationship, there is really nothing good to speak of. In order to cover up its incompetence, the DPP again plays its trick, provokes disputes over reunification or independence, dishes out the proposition of referendum and makes a great noise on the subject of establishing a constitution, in effect, it is pursuing its selfish aim under the name of democracy, seeking to achieve its short-term aim of victory in the election and long-term goal of "Taiwan independence". With populism as the slogan, it hysterically provokes fights among the masses of the people, it attacks and presses its rivals with such labels as provinciality, reunification or independence, alliance with the Communist Party and betraying Taiwan, it allows no different voices, thus forming de facto "green terror". This practice is not only domineering, but also selfish. It can be said that those who really betray and bring disaster upon Taiwan are none other than "Taiwan independence" elements themselves who are bent on putting labels wielding big sticks on others.

It is not difficult for a person with a discerning eye to see there are two "cards" in the hands of the DPP for deceiving people: One is the "popular will" card, the other is the "lawful card". Actually, these two cards can't stand stroke, it punctures with a mere stroke.

Let's first take "popular will card". The popular will called by the DPP means the majority of the public in Taiwan advocate independence. In fact, this is the vicious exaggeration by the DPP. It is not a fact. Even if the majority of the Taiwan public demand independence, it cannot be taken as the popular will of all, Taiwan, of course, is the Taiwan of Taiwan people, it is also the Taiwan of the entire Chinese people, on the question of whether Taiwan be independent, it is not Taiwan people alone who have a say, the people of the Chinese mainland also have a say. Speaking of popular will, this is popular will in its real and complete sense. The international community, the United Nations and the United States included, generally recognize one China, i.e., the People's

Republic of China, Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. This being the case, the future of Taiwan should be decided not by Taiwan "residents" alone, but also by all the Chinese people.

Even from the perspective of the DPP and the "Republic of China", one can't transcend this logic. The DPP tries by hook and by crook to seek Taiwan independence, that is to say, you have not yet gained independence, since you haven't yet become independent, Taiwan is part of China; Chen Shui-bian keeps on proclaiming himself to be the "president of the Republic of China", and according to the "constitution of the Republic of China", its territory not only includes Taiwan, the Penghu Islands, Jinmen (Quemoy) Islands and Mazu Island, but also the mainland. According to this logic it is inferred that the popular will of the mainland, of course, must also be included, if the DPP denies this point, it is going against the "constitution of the Republic of China".

Let's take up the "lawful card". The "Taiwan independence" elements attempt to hold "referendum", clamoring that referendum by Taiwan "residents" to decide the future of Taiwan is nothing but an attempt to seek legality for "Taiwan independence", however, the current international treaty and international practice and common international law will not provide a legal basis for the "separation right". To the contrary, the "Declaration on Granting Independence to Colonial Countries and People" promulgated in 1960 and the "Declaration on the Principle of International Law for Countries to Establish Friendly Relationship and Cooperation in Accordance with the UN Charter" promulgated in 1970 also laid down special provisions to prevent the abuse of the "national right to self-determination". The former stipulates: Any attempt to partially or completely disrupt the unity of a country and damage its territorial integrity runs counter to the purpose and principle of the UN Charter". The latter stipulates: The principle on "national right to self-determination" cannot be interpreted as authorizing or encouraging the adoption of any action to partially or wholly damage or harm the territorial integrity or political unity of a sovereign independent state which in action conforms with the above-mentioned principle of equal right and right to self-determination enjoyed by various nations and by which the government representing the entire people irrespective of race, belief and color of skin within the territory. The fundamental reason why the international law does not support the "separation right" is that "separation" runs counter to the purpose of the United Nations and stands opposed to state sovereignty and territorial integrity. The various sovereign states, which are the principal makers of international law were unlikely enacting an international law which allows part of the sovereign states to have the "separation right". The international law affirms the decolonization principle of "national right to self-determination", but it does not recognize this specific "national right to self-determination" contains or even equate the "national separation right"-This is the universal consensus of the international community. In Taiwan, the territory of China as a sovereign state, Chen Shui-bian's clamor for referendum by Taiwan "residents" to decide Taiwan's future and promote "national separation" does not conform to the provisions of any international law.

It is worrisome that the election in Taiwan is being led by the nose by the DPP, stepping on to a very dangerous path. "Taiwan independence" elements act in such a reckless manner not because of their robust limbs, they have been used to clasping the thick legs of Americans, so they can hardly avoid cherishing illusions: Once the mainland uses force, the United States would come to protect them under the Taiwan Relations Act. This is really an ignorant and naive mode of thinking. From the perspective of reality, a weak Iraq and a backward Afghanistan have put the United States in a terrible fix, badly battered and utterly exhausted. Whether Uncle Sam can spare time and energy to make war with a strong country and powerful armed forces is quite doubtful. From the perspective of interests, these questions arise: Whether the United States has great interest in Taiwan, or on the mainland, whether the United States raises more requests from the mainland, or from Taiwan? If one is not an idiot, it is not hard for him to make a judgment.

The Chinese nation loves peace, but it does not fear war. Once war is imposed on us, we will have no alternative but rise to meet enemy attack. Here, this writer wants to remind people of the need to carefully review past events, when has the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) suffered defeat in the war to defend our borderlands and safeguard peace?

Facts are crystal clear: for the mainland and Taiwan, unity benefits, while separation, harms both sides. "Taiwan independence" is the bottom line, patience is not indefinite. We do not cherish any hope for the "Taiwan independence" diehards; but we pin great hope on Taiwan general public, we hope that Taiwan compatriots think thrice before acting, choose a peaceful happy future for Taiwan, for yourselves and for your descendents, don't tie yourselves to the chariot of "Taiwan independence" elements and put yourselves at bay which features everlasting perdition, and which saddens the dear and near and gladdens the enemy.

By People's Daily Online


Questions?Comments? Click here
    Advanced






Chen Shui-bian's independence stance may trigger war

Chen Shui-bian's plan a blueprint for disaster



>> Full Coverage

 


Trade move by US government is 'poll ploy': Opinion ( 9 Messages)

Bush's UK visit fails to meet his wishes: Commentary ( 5 Messages)

The cause of China-US trade disputes ( 18 Messages)

Internet changes life in China: News focus ( 17 Messages)

Why China's first textbook on sex not used? ( 7 Messages)

US should be straight on 'one-China' policy ( 34 Messages)



Copyright by People's Daily Online, all rights reserved