OPINION:
Taiwan has never accepted the fabricated “1992 Consensus” by Beijing’s definition, which is fundamentally “one China” and “one country, two systems” (“China willing to use ’force’ to absorb Taiwan if necessary,” Web, Jan. 2).
The vast majority of Taiwanese resolutely oppose “one country, two systems,” a proven failure in Hong Kong. The development of cross-Strait relations must be healthy and normal, which requires the following: that China faces the reality of the existence of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and not deny the democratic system that the people of Taiwan have established together; that China respect the commitment of the 23 million people of Taiwan to freedom and democracy, and not foster divisions or offer inducements to interfere with the choices made by the people; that China handle cross-Strait differences peacefully, on the basis of equality, instead of using suppression and intimidation to get the Taiwanese to submit; and that only governments or government-authorized agencies engage in negotiations.
This is Taiwan’s unequivocal position. The people of Taiwan must be able to determine their own future.
STANLEY KAO
Representative, Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States
Washington
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