 |
Victory of Beijing 2008 Bid Found Echo in Taiwan
July 13 saw Beijing stand out victorious in the bid for hosting 2008 Summer Olympic Games. The success immediately evoked wide repercussions in the other side of the Taiwan Straits.
Pride belongs to the Chinese People on both sides of the Straits
Beijing's victory in the 2008 bid has aroused strong responses in Taiwan Island. Taiwan media generally thought Beijing's victory is the pride for all the Chinese people across the Straits. Being the descendants of the Yellow Emperor, "Beijing burst into thunderous cheers, Taiwan also exulted in the success." According to the media, the victory gained by Beijing in the bid for 2008 Olympic Games marks the beginning for the mainland to show its actual strength as a large country in the new century. Most of the Taiwan residents think that Taiwan should take an active part in the Olympic Games and avail the chance to improve the cross-Straits relationship. Some media also suggested to have the Olympic torch pass through Taiwan during the torch relay or to strive for holding some events which are of relatively high levels in Taiwan such as baseball or tae kwon do...
However, the Taiwan authorities threw a wet blanket on the people's enthusiasm, saying with a "troubled heart" that Beijing's victory will put Taiwan further in the shade. Its planning to have the torch pass through the Island is also the mainland's stunt of the "united front"...
Taiwan public felt a strong aversion to the argument of the authorities. Some media said bluntly that if the authorities are not willing to admit themselves as Chinese, why shouldn't we simply elect another leader in 2004 who is willing to support the reunification? There will still be four years before Beijing to host 2008 Olympic Games and we will still have time.
Continue to strike the old tune of "Mainland Threat"
In spite of the enthusiasm on the part of the Taiwan public for improving the cross-Straits relationship through Beijing's bid, the Taiwan authorities pursuing stiffly for its "Taiwan's independence", simply follows a "cul-de-sac". Right on the day before Beijing's success, leaders of Taiwan authorities still jumped onto the bandwagon, clamoring about the "Mainland Threat".
The leader of Taiwan authorities talked a lot at the commencement of the five schools of Taiwan Armed Forces in Fu Hsing Kang College. He claimed that by 2005, the mainland would land Taiwan's security in the sphere of military satellites, advanced arms, guided systems of management, communication and intelligence with a superior navel and air forces. Only when Taiwan army "set on the alert to the presence of the enemy" and "go all out to build up the army and prepare for war", "can the security of Taiwan be ensured".
Rattling saber to have missile test
According to Taiwan media, Chung Shun Scientific Academy prepares to launch its first ultrasonic Hsingfeng-3 anti-warship missile for a test at Jiupeng Base in the southern Pingtung coast on July 18.
As Taiwan's first long-distance ultrasonic missile, The Hsingfeng-3 anti-warship missile is reported to have a speed two times that of the sound velocity with a shooting range far enough to threaten southeastern coast of the mainland. Taiwan plans to arm its "Cheng Kung-class" frigate and "Kidd-class" destroyer that are to be purchased from the US. They expressed in an undisguised way that if they succeed in the test launching, Taiwan will have the ability to "counter" large naval warships.
Besides, the authorities also plan to invite US munitions merchants and military "evaluation groups" to carry out inspections in Taiwan. By taking the chance they reckon to purchase more armaments including M1A2 MBTs and "Apache" armed helicopters.
Taiwan authorities are daydreaming of a vain attempt to "reject reunification by armed strength" through purchasing weapons, expanding armaments and preparing for wars. In fact, what they are doing is the most dangerous practice. If they really want to protect the Taiwan compatriots, they should recognize the "one-China policy" and realize the reunification of the country because that is where lies the happiness for the Taiwan compatriots.
By PD Online staff member Du Minghua
In This Section
|