Love Taiwan, Enrich Both Sides, Revitalize the Chinese Nation

Love Taiwan, Enrich Both Sides, Revitalize the Chinese Nation
China Times editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)
A Translation
May 7, 2013

Summary: Our feet stand on Taiwan. Our hearts embrace China as a whole. Our vision encompasses the entire globe. This is the China News' fundamental position. It is moderate, rational, and demonstrates love for Taiwan. It is what we have always advocated. We must stand by our ideals, make full use of our advantages, especially our soft power.

Full Text below:

Over the past year,Taiwan's economy has remained weak. The ruling and opposition parties continue to point fingers at each other. Cross-strait relations remain stalled. People suffer great pain. Everyone finds life difficult. This year many changes are in store. But the situation may not show significant improvement. President Ma himself harbors doubts. The people feel suffocated. This is our reality. If we cannot find a way out, Taiwan's economic advantages may no longer be sustainable. One cannot help but be concerned. We cannot afford to continue spinning our wheels.

Over the years, "Love for Taiwan" has become de rigeur Political Correctness. Everyone who lives here wants Taiwan to become more prosperous. But some political parties exploit "Love for Taiwan." They use it as an instrument of political struggle. They use it to discredit political opponents, to smear them as "Communists." Political parties and media organizations that dissent from their orthodoxy, are accused of "selling out Taiwan." This is especially true whenever an election rolls around. Fortunately the marginal utility of such smear tactics has increasingly diminished. One one can only hope that such hollow accusations as "pandering to [Mainland] China and selling out Taiwan" will disappear in the future. Absent such irresponsible name-calling, we may be able to discover out special advantages and strengths. We may be able to make Taiwan better than it is currently. When it comes to bad-mouthing Taiwan, Taiwan's short-sighted politicians, media organizations, and talking heads bear the greatest responsibility. They have made rational debate concerning the abolition of nuclear power generation, pension reform, and free speech impossible. In the guise of championing justice, many engage in ideologically motivated political struggle. A joke circulating on the Mainland says that those who have been to Taiwan know that the Cultural Revolution has yet to end. An outsider unfamiliar with Taiwan, who listens to certain Taiwanese politicians, media commentators, and news reports, might think that Taiwan is in total chaos and about to perish tomorrow. The prospect of a country unsafe to visit and unsafe to live in is on many peoples' minds. Taiwan must avoid continued decline. It must reclaim the initiative. Only that is truly "Love for Taiwan."

At the same time, we call on the government, the opposition parties, and the public, to acknowledge the reality of cross-Strait relations. The positive development of cross-Strait relations requires more than a joint effort by the two governments. The public must also learn to see things clearly, and think about things clearly. Members of the public must try to understand each other's positions. Improving cross-Strait relations and enriching both sides does not mean that people on Taiwan must sacrifice their own principles, dignity, or interests. On the contrary, the improvement of cross-Strait relations, and a reduction in cross-Strait tensions, is a win-win proposition for all. It is the best result possible. For Taiwan in particular, the prospect offers real world political, economic, and security benefits. Taiwan can take advantage of these benefits to fulfill its potential and make itself strong. It can also contribute to the modernization of the Chinese nation. What reason then do we have not to proceed?

Looking to the future, the rise of the Mainland offers Taiwan opportunities, challenges, and threats. The Chinese Communist regime still faces many political, economic, and social problems. But its peaceful rise is likely to continue. Its influence is certain to expand. The Mainland factor is a reality, one that Taiwan must forever face. Given Taiwan's economic development, increased participation in regional economic integration and international activities will require continued improvement in cross-Strait relations. The Mainland's Taiwan policy is a subject that can be debated. But the DPP must be rational and alter its hostile attitude toward the Chinese mainland. It must relinquish its Sinophobic attitude. The KMT meanwhile, clings to a policy of "no reunification, no independence, and no use of force." Such a passive posture fails at showing leadership. It must improve its approach. It must do a better job of changing hearts and minds.

President Ma says he is not promoting two Chinas; or one China, one Taiwan; or Taiwan independence. His past position of remaining close to the United States, friendly towards Japan, and at peace with Mainland China accomodated a variety of political considerations. We understand and empathize. But suppose Taiwan ceases passively rejecting this and refusing that? Suppose it advances its own vision for the future? Suppose it helps the world community and Mainland China? Suppose it helps the Mainland to make a peaceful rise. Isn't that better? How can one love Taiwan, enrich both sides of the Strait, and revitalize the Chinese nation? This is the real issue. Only this will enable us to truly solve the problem we face.

We love Taiwan. Therefore we must find a better way for Taiwan, a way that is healthy, rational, moderate, and balanced. We look forward to the sound development of cross-Strait relations. That is the correct path. Taiwan's economic development has contributed to the economic modernization of the Mainland. Taiwan's gradual political reforms are also achievements the Mainland can emulate. Healthy interdependence between the two sides will naturally have a positive impact on Taiwan's economic development, participation in international activities, and social stability. If cross-Strait relations are benevolent, mutually beneficial, and win-win, the two sides will naturally be able to set aside their differences, reduce suspicions, and cooperate in tackling domestic and international challenges, both political and economic.

Our feet stand on Taiwan. Our hearts embrace China as a whole. Our vision encompasses the entire globe. This is the China News' fundamental position. It is moderate, rational, and demonstrates love for Taiwan. It is what we have always advocated. We must stand by our ideals, make full use of our advantages, especially our soft power. In fact, we have no reason to despair over the fate of Taiwan. In cross-strait coopetition, Taiwan has value. This is what all Taiwan has struggled to achieve. Isn't this what President Ma advocated when he spoke of strengthening Taiwan and revitalizing the Chinese nation? Isn't this a concrete expression of what Beijing has long advocated in cross-Strait relations -- the joint revitalization of Chinese civilization? A weak and debilitated Taiwan, and a Mainland that goes its own way, is the worst possible outcome for both sides. How can one not be concerned?

中時電子報 新聞
中國時報 　2013.05.07
社論－愛台灣、旺兩岸、興中華
本報訊

    　過去一年，台灣在經濟上的表現乏善可陳，政治上朝野又持續相互指責，兩岸關係停滯不前，民眾更是一肚子苦水，大家都覺得活得好不辛苦。今年情況變數仍多，局面未必就能大幅好轉，不但馬總統有許多的疑惑，全民皆悶，似乎更成了當前的寫照，如果再找不到出路，再繼續長此以往，不知台灣的優勢還能維持多久，思之令人憂心。我們實在沒有再繼續蹉跎下去的本錢！

    　這些年來，愛台灣已成全民共識，其實所有生活在這塊土地上的人，沒有不希望自己的家園更為繁榮興盛，但無可諱言的是，確實有某些人和特定的政黨用此做為政治鬥爭，甚至是抹黑、抹紅對手的工具。對只要和自己理念不合的政黨或媒體動輒奉送一頂賣台的大帽子，每到選舉更是如此，但此一栽贓抹黑手法的邊際效用或將遞減。未來，如果能夠不再出現對親中賣台的虛無指控，如果沒有不負責任的唱衰評論，能夠理性找出自己的優勢與強項，台灣可以比現在更好。談到唱衰台灣，台灣的短視政客、部分媒體和某些名嘴該負最大責任。反核廢核、年金改革、保障言論多元，沒有不能理性討論的道理，但就是有人能夠打著正義的幌子，來遂行滿足自己意識形態的政治鬥爭。大陸有句順口溜說，不到台灣不知文革還在搞，如果只看某些台灣的政客、媒體評論和報導，不明就裡的人還真要誤以為台灣明天就要滅亡，亂邦不入、危邦不居的古訓可能迴旋在許多人的心頭。台灣必須避免繼續向下沉淪，要化被動為主動，而這才是真愛台灣。

    　於此同時，我們也呼籲朝野、全民應該要正視兩岸關係。兩岸關係的良性發展不但有賴雙方政府的共同努力，民眾也要建立正確的觀念，學習異位思考，嘗試理解彼此的立場。改善與唱旺兩岸關係並不表示台灣要放棄自己的原則、尊嚴和利益。相反的，兩岸關係的改善、緊張的降低是雙贏、多贏的最佳結果，這對台灣尤其有政治上、經濟上及安全上的現實利益。台灣不但可以藉此保護、成就與壯大自己，也可以為中華民族的現代化做出具體貢獻，為何捨此而不為？

    　展望將來，大陸崛起對台灣兼具機會、挑戰與威脅的可能，中共政權未來雖然政經、社會難題仍多，但其和平崛起勢將持續，影響力勢將更為擴大，中國因素將是台灣永遠必須面對的一個現實，而台灣眼前經濟發展、參與區域整合及拓展國際活動空間都有賴於兩岸關係的不斷改善。大陸的對台政策或有進一步檢討的空間，但民進黨一定要理性調整其敵視中國、反中反華心態，國民黨不統、不獨、不武，只求維持現狀，消極而無法引導民意、改變民心的作法也有值得改善之處。

    　馬總統所謂不搞兩個中國、一中一台、台灣獨立，及其過去親美、友日、和中的立場或許是有各種不同層次的政治考量，我們可以抱著善意及同情的理解態度，但是如果台灣能夠由不要這個、拒絕那個，進一步提出自己有遠見的主張，協助世界與中國，讓大陸由和平崛起走向文明崛起，豈不更好？如何把愛台灣、旺兩岸、興中華的理想和概念化為更具體的行動與作法，這才是當務之急，因為唯有如此才能真的解決問題。

    　因為愛護台灣，所以我們要為台灣找到更好的出路，而以一個健康、理性、中道、持平的態度鼓勵、樂見兩岸關係的良性發展，這才是正途。我們相信，台灣的經濟發展已經對大陸的經濟現代化做出重要貢獻，台灣漸進式的政治改革成果同樣可以做為大陸政治改革的借鏡，兩岸之間健康的相互依賴自然會對台灣的經濟發展、國際參與、社會穩定有正面的作用。兩岸關係如果能夠如願進入一個良性、互利、雙贏的發展局面，雙方自然更可以捐棄成見、減少猜疑，同心協力處理眼前或未來所將面臨的國內和國際，從政治到經濟的嚴峻挑戰。

    　立足台灣、胸懷中國、放眼世界，這是本報的基本信念，中道、理性、愛台灣是我們一向的主張，堅持自己的理想、把握自己的優點，善用自己的柔性力量，台灣其實沒有懷憂喪志的道理，在兩岸競逐的過程中，台灣有其正面的價值，而這也正是我們幾十年來，全國上下苦心孤詣、努力奮鬥目標之所在。坦白的說，這不也正就是馬總統所主張的壯大台灣、振興中華，北京念茲在茲的兩岸共同振興中華文明的具體實踐嗎？一個衰弱的台灣，一個自行其是的中國，於人於己都是最差的結果。可不慎乎？