China-Taiwan relations: a modest proposal
Everybody's business * Why war won't work * China's new strategyNegotiations without preconditionsChina won't talk to Taiwan unless Taiwan's leaders admit that there is only one China. Taiwan will only talk to China on the basis of equality. Meanwhile, the arms race between China and Taiwan continues apace, wasting resources and threatening human lives, which are the most precious resource of all. The worst outcome of the present situation would be a war which would endanger not only the protagonists but also their neighbours, which is why the Sino-Taiwan dispute is everybody's business. Insisting on preconditions is poor salesmanship. How can you bargain if you don't give yourself an opportunity to explore your opponent's position? Even if you don't even agree on the shape of the table, get some chairs, sit on them, then argue over whether the table should be square, round or octagonal. You will soon get so tired of talking about such a pointless issue that you will realise that the best thing is just to sidestep it and talk about things that really matter. You might do worse than proceed quite quickly to discussing things on which you can readily agree. For example: * trade (you'll have to do that anyway if you're both in the WTO) * investment * postal arrangements * transport links * ecommerce * cultural exchanges * sports meetings * Chinese language standards Yes, Taiwan will prevaricate for years over "reunification", but that is because it is not ready for it. Threatening war will not make the people of Taiwan any more receptive to the idea; it might just make them dig in their heels. Making progress on practical issues will allow the development of a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere in which the Taiwanese can consider realistically whether or not they want to be part of China. So, China and Taiwan, throw away your preconditions and negotiate now. © Ken Davies, May 2000. |
Taiwan page
Last updated 25 May 2000.
