I believe the authors Owen Bedford and Kwang-Kuo Hwang’s perspective is very unique. They analyse the situation of Taiwan-China relationship in a western view which is quite new to us Chinese.
They admitted the fact that Taiwan and China mainland is separate now. And they believed CCP(Chinese Communist Party) government always threaten Taiwan. It’s this kind of threat that cause Taiwanese consciousness grow. They mainly focused on the Taiwan-China mainland relationship and tried to demonstrate that China would attack Taiwan if Taiwan declares independence. But I do not believe they understand the abstruse policy of China very well.
In my opinion, the authors, one American, the other Taiwanese, understand the policy of the US and Taiwan very well. But they do not understand the intention of CCP at all. I am from the China mainland, I am very interested in the policy of CCP and I have been studying a double degree on the international relationship. I insist that the policy of CCP on Taiwan is a typical “Two Hands of Revolution”
On one hand, CCP declares that “The independence of Taiwan means war”. One of CCP’s generals Zhu Cheng Hu even said to western journalists that China was prepared for a nuclear war against the USA if USA wanted to be involved in Taiwan Strait War. Of course this declaration threatened people of the free world a lot.
But as a Chinese, I know that on the other hand, CCP has their own intention.
First, CCP dare not have a war in Taiwan Strait under today’s circumstance .Stabilization is the most important thing that CCP now care about. Attacking on Taiwan will probably cause a political crisis which is fatal to CCP at home. After 1989 massacre on Tiananmen, CCP was doing their best to avoid such kind of crisis.
Second, if crisis such as 1989 breaks out again, there will be much more chance that CCP will attack Taiwan to turn people’s attention from domestic crisis to nationalistic issues.
Third, there are many other countries and power such as the USA and the NATO restricting CCP. CCP dare not risk losing his power in China to start a war without international support and domestic support.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Chapter3 Summary
CHAPTER3 THE REFERENDUM AND TAIWAN”S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
According to the authors Owen Bedford and Kwang-Kuo Hwang, this chapter is mainly focused on the referendum and Taiwan’s international relations.
In section 1, the authors showed us the 2004 election of president. They pointed out the referendum was a part of Chen’s election and it was helpful for Chen’s election. Then the author sshowed us the whole strategy of Chen, that was irritating China by referendum and wishing China would say something to threaten Taiwan people. The author firmly believed this would make Taiwanese support DPP (Democracy Progress Party) more..
In section 2, the author talked about the international relationship of Taiwan, including the Taiwan-US relationship and the Sino-Taiwan relationship. The authors tried to show us the attitude of Washington to Taiwan government ,then the attitude of Beijing to DDP and Chen. The authors found that the attitude of US is changing now .They said Washington was become more and more impatient over the past year with Taiwan government. The US especially did not like the referendum. Then they talked about the “APPEASING CHINA”. They demonstrated that China would attack Taiwan if Taiwan declares independence.
In the end, the authors showed their worry. They did not think Taiwan’s future should be manipulated by anyone.
According to the authors Owen Bedford and Kwang-Kuo Hwang, this chapter is mainly focused on the referendum and Taiwan’s international relations.
In section 1, the authors showed us the 2004 election of president. They pointed out the referendum was a part of Chen’s election and it was helpful for Chen’s election. Then the author sshowed us the whole strategy of Chen, that was irritating China by referendum and wishing China would say something to threaten Taiwan people. The author firmly believed this would make Taiwanese support DPP (Democracy Progress Party) more..
In section 2, the author talked about the international relationship of Taiwan, including the Taiwan-US relationship and the Sino-Taiwan relationship. The authors tried to show us the attitude of Washington to Taiwan government ,then the attitude of Beijing to DDP and Chen. The authors found that the attitude of US is changing now .They said Washington was become more and more impatient over the past year with Taiwan government. The US especially did not like the referendum. Then they talked about the “APPEASING CHINA”. They demonstrated that China would attack Taiwan if Taiwan declares independence.
In the end, the authors showed their worry. They did not think Taiwan’s future should be manipulated by anyone.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Summary of Taiwanese consciousness and the Referendum Law
According to the Chapter2--"Taiwanese Consciousness and the Referendum Law" , the authors try to identify Taiwanese Consciousness tentatively and give audience a presentation on the Referendum Law from 2003 to 2004
In Section 1, the authors give audience the background of Taiwanese Consciousness first. That is the struggle between China's threat to use force and the risky independence process led by DDP(Democratic Progressive Party). The authors then claim that under today's circumstance, DDP does not have international support and China does not have reason to attack Taiwan either. According to this inference, the authors show us the form of the Taiwanese Consciousness.
In 2003,President Chen pointed out that Taiwanese should have the power to decide Taiwan's future. The authors admit that is quite an attractive slogan for Taiwanese, but this is not tolerable for Beijing government. How to teach President Chen a lesson became a main topic in a few months. But the authors think this is impolitic for Beijing government. With exerting pressure upon Taiwan, Taiwanese Consciousness grew. And the authors firmly believe this is a direct reason why Taiwan passed Referendum Law in 2004.
In section 2, the authors show us the fight for a Referendum Law.According to this section, SARS struck Taiwan in 2003. and Taiwan wanted to join WHO. But under the pressure of China, Taiwan's request was rejected again. That made many Taiwanese feel that the WHO had ignored their human rights. The authors then point out at this time,President Chen proposed a referendum on Taiwan's entry into the WHO.
After long debate and much negotiation, legislators began to vote on the referendum law. Then the authors tell us the result is the legislature passes the law and President Chen sign it. At last,the authors predict that although this law may not really bring Taiwan into WHO, but this case had been the symbol of Taiwanese Consciousness.
In Section 1, the authors give audience the background of Taiwanese Consciousness first. That is the struggle between China's threat to use force and the risky independence process led by DDP(Democratic Progressive Party). The authors then claim that under today's circumstance, DDP does not have international support and China does not have reason to attack Taiwan either. According to this inference, the authors show us the form of the Taiwanese Consciousness.
In 2003,President Chen pointed out that Taiwanese should have the power to decide Taiwan's future. The authors admit that is quite an attractive slogan for Taiwanese, but this is not tolerable for Beijing government. How to teach President Chen a lesson became a main topic in a few months. But the authors think this is impolitic for Beijing government. With exerting pressure upon Taiwan, Taiwanese Consciousness grew. And the authors firmly believe this is a direct reason why Taiwan passed Referendum Law in 2004.
In section 2, the authors show us the fight for a Referendum Law.According to this section, SARS struck Taiwan in 2003. and Taiwan wanted to join WHO. But under the pressure of China, Taiwan's request was rejected again. That made many Taiwanese feel that the WHO had ignored their human rights. The authors then point out at this time,President Chen proposed a referendum on Taiwan's entry into the WHO.
After long debate and much negotiation, legislators began to vote on the referendum law. Then the authors tell us the result is the legislature passes the law and President Chen sign it. At last,the authors predict that although this law may not really bring Taiwan into WHO, but this case had been the symbol of Taiwanese Consciousness.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Summary on Taiwanese Identification and Democracy
Acoording to the Chapter 1 of "Taiwanese Identification and Democracy"written by Olwen Bedford and Kwang-Kuo Hwang in 2006.
The author talks about the Identity, Populism and Nationalism of Taiwanese at a glance.
About Identity of Taiwanese,the author show us the history of Taiwan, from Ming Dynasty to occupied times by Dutch and Japnanese. The authors also show when the ethnic differences are taken into consideration, every Taiwanese is wonder such a qustion: Is Taiwan a part of China or a sovereign nation? The authors say he will give his conclusion at the end of this book.
The authors also give a historic view on the Democracy Movement in Taiwan. They illustrate that Japan and KuoMinTang are both against democracy, but Taiwanese never stop fight for freedom. Then they discuss about the turning point on democracy movement of Taiwan---Kaohsiung Incident.
In the third section,the authors try to analyse the concept of ordinary Taiwanese on the "Unification-Independce" topic and show the difference between"Chinese consciousness and Taiwanese consciousness.
At the end of Chapter 1, the authors focus on the nationalism in Taiwan today. they give us many evidence to demonstrate that the raise of nationalism is provoked by the politicians in Taiwan such as the former president Lee Deng-Hui and they are worry about such kind of nationalism may bring disaster to Twaiwan.
The author talks about the Identity, Populism and Nationalism of Taiwanese at a glance.
About Identity of Taiwanese,the author show us the history of Taiwan, from Ming Dynasty to occupied times by Dutch and Japnanese. The authors also show when the ethnic differences are taken into consideration, every Taiwanese is wonder such a qustion: Is Taiwan a part of China or a sovereign nation? The authors say he will give his conclusion at the end of this book.
The authors also give a historic view on the Democracy Movement in Taiwan. They illustrate that Japan and KuoMinTang are both against democracy, but Taiwanese never stop fight for freedom. Then they discuss about the turning point on democracy movement of Taiwan---Kaohsiung Incident.
In the third section,the authors try to analyse the concept of ordinary Taiwanese on the "Unification-Independce" topic and show the difference between"Chinese consciousness and Taiwanese consciousness.
At the end of Chapter 1, the authors focus on the nationalism in Taiwan today. they give us many evidence to demonstrate that the raise of nationalism is provoked by the politicians in Taiwan such as the former president Lee Deng-Hui and they are worry about such kind of nationalism may bring disaster to Twaiwan.
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