Taiwanese mischief

As a democratic locked in a difficult relationship with a Communist behemoth, Taiwan deserves American sympathy and support. But American policy must be measured against other interests and cannot be sustained if Taiwan abuses Washington's support.

The abuse that Taiwan can produce was apparent in the 1995-96 crisis in relations between the United States and China. The dispute arose when the Clinton administration approved a visa for President Lee Teng-hui of Taiwan to make an unofficial visit to Cornell University, his alma mater. China saw the visa as a threat to America's one-China policy, which commits Washington to recognize only one government, Beijing's, within the historic boundaries of China, which includes Taiwan.

While China overreacted to the decision, Taiwan knew full well that the visa would upset relations between Washington and Beijing. Cornell invited Lee after receiving two large contributions from Taiwan. Taiwan then successfully pressed Congress to demand that the White House issue the visa.

Taiwan and Taiwanese Americans played a central role in the White House fund-raising abuses. In this case the most likely motivation was to strengthen American commercial ties with China and Taiwan.

America's interest is to encourage China and Taiwan to avoid confrontation in the hope that more attractive resolutions may be available in the future. In practice, Washington needs to discourage not only military adventurism by China, but also diplomatic adventurism by Taiwan.

-- The New York Times