Republic of China Passports Now Visa-Free: Taipei Washington Relations Improve Yet Again

Republic of China Passports Now Visa-Free: Taipei Washington Relations Improve Yet Again
China Times editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China)
A Translation
December 23, 2011

Summary: Citizens must be fair in their evaluation of political leaders. The facts show Ma Ying-jeou has improved, not worsened cross-strait relations. He has created opportunities, not erected obstacles. President Ma Ying-jeou's cross-Strait policies have improved the status quo. They have enhanced cross-Strait interaction. They have enabled the two sides to work together to create a better future with richer possibilities.

Full Text Below:

Yesterday American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Acting Director Eric H. Madison announced that the Republic of China is officially a candidate for the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. He said the Republic of China has made great social and political progress in recent years, as indicated by its economic progress. The rejection rate for Republic of China passport holders applying for visas to the United States fell to only 1.9% last year. The proportion of overstayers in the United States was even lower. Foreign Minister Yang Jin-tian responded. He said this shows that Republic of China passport security, visa rejection rates, border controls, and information sharing, all meet the requirements for visa-free treatment. He said Taipei/Washington relations will take another step forward as a result of this. This is just a major milestone for Taipei/Washington relations. It is also a major breakthrough with epoch-making significance for the Republic of China's international status and foreign relations.

Over the past few years, Republic of China citizens traveling abroad have been the recipients of much good news. In the past, Republic of China passport holders often endured discrimination. Foreign governments made things difficult for them. Now they enjoy visa-free treatment from over a hundred countries, Including the EU, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and now, the United States, Republic of China citizens are now free to visit every major country they wish. Republic of China citizens can visit most countries on the world map, without first applying for a visa. .

This is a consequence of the Republic of China's economic strength. Our passport security technology is good, Our citizens are civilized. This makes other countries welcome them. But there is another important reason that cannot be denied. In the eyes of the international community, improved cross-Strait relations have reduced tensions between Taipei and Beijing. This has enabled other countries to develop relations with Taipei. They need no longer fear a backlash from Beijing. Over the past four years, President Ma Ying-jeou has successfully promoted cross-Strait reconciliation and implemented a diplomatic truce. For the Republic of China, this has opened the gates to the international community, These changes are obvious and far-reaching, They will be part of Ma's historical legacy.

Republic of China citizens have received much good news regarding visas. There have also been many breakthroughs for the Republic of China's participation in the international community. We can now participate in the WHA as an observer. Former Vice President Lien Chan was able to attend the APEC Leaders Summit Meeting, We were able to make contact with Singapore and New Zealand, and sign the Economic Partnership Agreement. We were able to sign investment agreements and aviation agreements with Japan. What does it mean to "defend our sovereignty," to "maintain our dignity," and to "promote our national interest?" If we break it down it, means enabling Republic of China citizens to be respected when they go out into the world. It means enabling the Republic of China to be seen and heard, Isn't that what it means to "defend our sovereignty," "maintain our dignity," and "promote our national interest?"

The Republic of China's diplomatic situation and cross-Strait relations are two sides of the same coin. When cross-strait relations are tense, diplomatic confrontation often consumes large amounts of our national resources, But this kind of desperate zero sum game is increasingly difficult to play. It cannot be sustained. Mainland China's strategic advantage is growing. Republic of China citizens on Taiwan are proud. No matter how tough the going gets, we will not bow down. But bowing down is unnecessary. With wisdom and skill, we can ensure smooth cross-Strait relations while opening our doors to foreign relations. Actually, doing so will better safeguard our interests than remaining trapped in an endless cross-Strait wrestling match.

Green Camp spin doctors love to accuse Ma Ying-jeou of "selling out Taiwan's sovereignty." DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen denounced Ma Ying-jeou during the TV debate. She accused him of "halving the strength of the nation." But does her charge contain any truth whatsoever? Let's conduct a quick reality check. When the DPP was in power, it adopted a strategy of reckless provocation and blind confrontation. This led to a freeze in cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, This turned the island of Taiwan into a hermit kingdom. This led to our marginalization in the global community. The DPP's "scorched earth diplomacy" left the diplomatic battlefield a smoking ruins. Other countries refused to be dragged into the conflict. But once President Ma Ying-jeou took office, cross-Strait reconciliation brought about economic exchanges and cooperation. It gave people on both sides a chance to freely exchange ideas and improve mutual understanding. It made possible exchanges between the Republic of China and the international community by removing a major obstacle. This gave us more breathing space. Make any "before and after comparison" you wish. We all remember how it was before, and how it is today. Does anyone really not see the immense changes that have taken place over the past three or four years?

Clearly Ma Ying-jeou has changed our cross-Strait policy. He found a way out of our past dilemma. He has a clear direction for the nation's future. He is implementing it, step by step, This is rare in a leader. Do our leaders have the ability to handle cross-Strait relations? Do they have the ability to ensure our economic development? These questions are of paramount importance.

Citizens must be fair in their evaluation of political leaders. The facts show Ma Ying-jeou has improved, not worsened cross-strait relations. He has created opportunities, not erected obstacles. President Ma Ying-jeou's cross-Strait policies have improved the status quo. They have enhanced cross-Strait interaction. They have enabled the two sides to work together to create a better future with richer possibilities.

中時電子報 新聞
中國時報 　2011.12.23
社論－列入免簽候選 台美關係再躍進
本報訊

美國在台協會（ＡＩＴ）代理處長馬怡瑞（Eric H. Madison）昨天正式宣布，台灣正式納入美國免簽證計畫候選國。他表示台灣獲致的成就，展現了這些年來台灣在經濟、社會和政治各方面的進步；台灣民眾申請美簽的拒簽率在過去一年來降到僅一．九％，在美逾期居留的比例則更低。外交部長楊進添則回應表示，這項訊息的宣布顯示台灣在護照安全、簽證拒簽率、國境管控與各項資訊分享等皆符合加入免簽證的技術要件。他也指出台美關係進展將因這項舉動邁向更進一步。我們以為這不只是台美關係的一大里程碑，對台灣的國際地位與對外關係而言，更是一大突破，具有劃時代的重大意義。

這些年來，台灣民眾出國免簽證的好消息接連傳來，過去出門常受刁難歧視的中華民國護照，如今可以享受上百個國家免簽證入境的禮遇，其中包括了歐盟申根聯盟國家、英國、愛爾蘭、日本、澳洲、紐西蘭，如今加上美國，無異是國人最常去的主要國家都可以自由走透透。在世界地圖上，台灣人可以想去就去不必先申請簽證的區塊，已經佔了相當一大塊區域。

這固然是因為有台灣經濟實力作後盾，加上我國護照防偽技術好、國民素質高，讓對方國家樂意接納。但還有一個不容否認的重要原因，是兩岸關係改善降低了雙方在國際社會的對抗態勢，讓其他國家與台灣發展關係時，不必再處處忌憚北京的反彈。馬英九總統推動兩岸和解與外交休兵的政策，在近四年的落實下，已經為台灣打開了通往國際社會的門戶，這樣的轉變既明顯又影響深遠，將在歷史上留下他個人的遺產。

除了頻傳免簽的好消息之外，台灣參與國際社會還有許多突破，包括能夠以觀察員身分參與世衛大會、前副總統連戰出席亞太經合會議領袖峰會、與新加坡和紐西蘭洽簽經濟夥伴協議、與日本簽署投資協定及航空協定等等。什麼叫做維護主權尊嚴、促進國家利益？細數這些成果，都是讓台灣走出去並受到尊重，讓台灣被看見、聲音被聽到，不就是既維護了台灣的主權尊嚴，又促進了國家利益？

台灣的外交處境與兩岸關係一體兩面，兩岸關係緊張時，外交戰火常常消耗大量國家資源，但這樣的零和殊死戰，在中國日漸增長的政經戰略地位下，已經令台灣的戰況日趨艱困，甚至難以為繼。勇敢的台灣人是有骨氣的，再苦也不會屈膝低頭；但如果能以智慧與手腕，一方面讓兩岸關係得以順暢運作，一方面為對外關係打開門窗，其實比陷在角力戰中更能維護台灣利益。

綠營人士常愛指控馬英九出賣台灣主權，民進黨總統候選人蔡英文也在電視辯論中說馬英九害得國家「去一半」。但到底是不是如此，我們可以拿事實來檢驗。過去民進黨執政時，採取躁進挑釁、盲目對抗的策略，以致兩岸交流合作停頓，台灣陷於鎖國狀態，在全球發展中流於邊緣化地位，「烽火外交」也搞得外交戰場遍起狼煙，其他國家不太願意被波及。但馬英九總統上台後，兩岸關係和解帶來更蓬勃的經貿交流合作，雙方人民有機會更自在地交往並增進了解。台灣與國際社會的交往，也因為降低了一大障礙，而得到更多空間。前後任比一比，不過短短三、四年的時間，大家對過去記憶猶新，其間的差距誰看不出來？

很明顯的，馬英九為台灣換了個兩岸政策，也因此開創了新的活路。他對國家方向與基本政策有很清楚的中心思維，並且一步一步據以落實，就一個領導人來說，這是非常難得的。而對台灣來說，我們的領袖有沒有能力處理兩岸關係，有效維護台灣發展契機，也是非常重要的。

對政治領袖的評價必須公允，事實證明，馬英九讓兩岸關係成為台灣的正數，而非負數；是機會，而不再是障礙。馬英九總統的兩岸政策不只改變了現狀，也在更多的兩岸互動中，為兩岸共同開創一個更好的未來，留下了發展的契機。