Taiwan's new era

Despite China's strong warnings, which sparked public fear and panic selling of stocks in Taiwan, the people of Taiwan elected on Saturday the leader of the proindependence Democratic Progressive Party, Chen Shui-bian, to be their president at the start of the new century.

Chen's victory, which ended more than 50 years of rule by the nationalist Kuomintang Party (KMT), shows that the younger generation of Taiwanese politicians and leaders, like others else where, has opted for a change of status quo and removed a government that has ruled the country for too long a time. In Taiwan's case, the KMT's rule was tainted by corruption and money politics, while many of its party members were alleged to have had connections with triad criminal organizations.

The outcome of the election is a great blow to China because Chen appears to be a staunch advocate of Taiwanese nationhood and independence. Bejing has made it clear that a declaration of independence by Taiwan would mean war, as it considers Taiwan its own renegade province and under its sovereignty.

China's threat is not a bluff because, as has been reported in the international media, there has been a noticeable increase in police activity in Bejing's diplomatic quarter and the People's Liberation Army has been put on high alert in China's southern provinces, near the strait that separates Taiwan from the mainland.

A deterioration in relations and an increase of tension can be avoided if both China and Taiwan exercise restraint and decide to prudently solve their problems.

Countries in the region know too well that China is an Asian giant, in terms of its economy, population and military. The military parade in Tienanmen Square at the peak of the country's celebrations of 50 years of independence last October provided vivid proof of its mighty armed forces.

Most countries in the world have also recognized Beijing as the sole representative of the Chinese people and Taiwan as being a part of China's territory. This shows how China has won international respect, not only because of its size but also because of its role in helping maintaining world peace.

If China attacks Taiwan in the wake of its democratic election, it cannot but change the international community's image of it as a friendly and peaceful county to one that is fearful and threatening.

Let the "one-country, two-system formula" that China proposes and has applied to Hong Kong and Macao take its own course, because a military attack, even on a small scale, against Taiwan would be disastrous to China's efforts for peaceful reunification.

Especially now that president-elect Chen has backpedaled on his plans to hold a referendum on Taiwan's independence. Moreover, he has even made reconciliatory remarks, expressing his willingness to visit China to have talks on reunification. He has also invited Chinese President Jiang Zemin to visit Taiwan for the same purpose.

China, in our opinion, should welcome Chen's friendly gestures. It is hoped, meanwhile, that Chen can turn his words into action and reduce tension between Beijing and Taipei.

Taiwan and its people, in fact, could be no more independent than how they are now, in that they have their own government, choose their own president and are protected by their own armed forces.

An armed conflict between China and Taiwan would obviously be counterproductive to people on both sides of the straits. Worse still, the impact of the conflict could well disrupt the region's relative peace and stability, thereby hampering the development of many countries in this part of the world.