Shirk stressed that the United States is more than happy to see the recent improvement in the cross-strait relations because it will not only lower the possibility of a cross-strait military confrontation but also contribute to the establishment of a constructive Washington-Beijing-Taipei relationship.
Shirk's comments should be welcomed by all concerned as a refreshing spring breeze.
It is indeed pleasing to see the quick and steady warming up of cross-strait relations recently as demonstrated by Taiwan's participation in the meeting of the World Health Assembly (WHA), an important agency of the United Nations, for the first time in decades, the numerous exchanges of visits made by top leaders from both sides of the Taiwan Straits and the surge of tourists from the mainland to this island, among others.
Opinion polls show that, in spite of the opposition from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the majority of people in Taiwan approve such an open mainland policy as adopted by the Ma Ying-jeou administration.
Leaders in Beijing with the well-established reputation of being grand masters in propaganda and the united front strategy should have realized long time ago that the best way to tackle the question of Taiwan is to capture the hearts and minds of its people.
As one of the super powers in the world today, Beijing is in a position to take the initiative in making certain "concessions"� to places like Hong Kong, Taiwan and Tibet where many anti-Communist dissidents converge in order to derive ultimate political profits. They should also be able to overcome the internal objection voiced by hardliners with rational persuasion or otherwise.
In this three-way relationship, Washington is certain to play a significant, and sometimes, decisive role. It has long been asserted by some observers that the U.S., deep in its heart, supports an independent Taiwan because it is in its national interest to rely on the island as a staunch anti-Communist ally. Hence, it is wary of any progress in cross-strait ties.
Washington's calculation is not difficult to understand. But, this worry may not be quite justified as unification in any form may be a matter of the distant future.
Besides, America should also be concerned about the well-being of the over one-billion-strong Chinese people. Is it the U.S. policy to befriend China in the hope that its influence may help move the country gradually away from totalitarianism toward democracy, which is supposed to be the best political system for all mankind, including the Chinese? This is also the hope cherished by Taipei through an acceleration of cross-strait contacts.Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click hereSharePrintEmailWrite a CommentEnter your comments - 3000 characters maxType in image codeSubmit Receive China Post promos Respond to this email Also in William FangUpdated Tuesday, June 16, 2009 11:12 am TWN▪Some humble suggestions for the first lady of Taiwan▪A fair view of the KMT culture of 'chou-yung'▪Ma needs to command awe in his leadership▪The political significance of S. Korean leader's death▪Beijing, parties in full-fledged war of calculationsMoreMost Read▪Chens admit perjury▪Medical tourism likely to bring in NT$3 bil. per year▪Taiwan's Lu tests Roger Federer in loss▪More than 1 million Apple iPhone 3GS sold▪Closely watched North Korean ship still off China coast Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us | Subscribe | Advertise | RSS Feed | About Us |
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