Commentary
Recent discussions between journalists and Taiwanese authorities helped generate some interesting conversations and potential new pathways for positively changing the dynamics of cross-strait tensions.
There has been a pathway of greater frankness toward China, which started after the July NATO summit communique holding the Chinese regime to account for its role as the key enabler of Russian aggression in Ukraine. China took great umbrage to being called out.
During the week of Sept. 9, the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted 11 international journalists for a week-long gathering to receive briefings from different Taiwanese government ministries and think tanks.
This was a unique opportunity for journalists to engage deeply and broadly with Taiwanese centers of governance and influence that are not regularly accessible to non-Taiwanese journalists. It was also an opportunity for journalists to provide observations and feedback to the Taiwanese government and the think tanks that are influential in developing Taiwanese policy.
A similar matter could be a new flag. Symbols matter, and the historic ROC flag can ignite images of past conflict. Honorably and respectfully retiring the old colors and transitioning to a new flag could help mend longstanding grudges and animosity with a clear delineation between the past and the present and future. Some older generations may still have emotional attachments, but handling name and flag changes in a dignified manner can help contribute to more constructive dialogue. This also defuses the debate over the meaning of “one China,” which serendipitously was dropped in the aforementioned U.S.–EU communique, a very significant diplomatic step.
Setting Aside Past Territorial Claims
To help assure the PRC of its “one China,” the “Republic of Taiwan” could formally renounce all claims to the mainland. This statement could be an important statement of peaceful coexistence.
The response was fascinating. Mao said about Korea and Taiwan: “We will extend them our enthusiastic help in their struggle for independence. The same things applies [sic] to Formosa.”
Of course, these issues are difficult, and some people are still passionate about these symbols. However, nothing will change until something changes, and engaging in dialogue on these matters is better than unrestricted if covert warfare, which can lead to open warfare, which no one wants.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
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This article first appeared in Epoch Times and was reprinted with permission.
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