Taiwan is doing right!

Taiwan will continue to be one of the most democratic countries which make the world better. All people in Taiwan love peace and freedom. Stand with Taiwan, you can make the world better!

Taiwan not the one making waves

By KOH SE-KAI
Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office Tokyo

Mar. 19, 2006
The Japan Times

Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's recent decision to discontinue the National Unification Council (NUC) and to shelve National Unification Guidelines has disturbed members of the international community. This reaction is mostly a result of a misunderstanding of Chen's motives. Even some media reports in Japan appear to have misconstrued the issue.

The halt to the National Unification Council by no means represents a change in the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. As a democratically elected leader of Taiwan, Chen has made an administrative adjustment with regard to a body that had advised his office only. NUC was not empowered by the legislature and had no constitutional relevance otherwise. Thus it is rather ridiculous to view the cessation of a nonfunctioning body as a precursor to a change in the status quo.

Last March, China adopted the "anti-secession law" to give it a pseudo-legal foundation to take Taiwan by force if necessary. The People's Liberation Army subsequently built up its force, and more than 700 missiles have been deployed on China's side of the Taiwan Strait. Yet Taiwan is the one accused of trying to undermine the status quo.

Taiwan is not only Japan's neighbor but also a major trading partner. Furthermore, Taiwan's geographic position -- at the threshold of the Taiwan Strait -- provides Japan safe sea passage. Any attempt to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait would be detrimental to both Taiwan and Japan. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will do its best to safeguard the peace and stability of the region.