wfn.org | Anxiety Level Rises in Taiwan as Hong Kong Returns to Chinese Rule

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

21-May-1997 
97218 
 
                  Anxiety Level Rises in Taiwan  
              as Hong Kong Returns to Chinese Rule   
                                  
                          by Eva Stimson 
 
TAIPEI, Taiwan--The world will be watching the return of Hong Kong from 
British to Chinese rule July 1.  In Taiwan, a small island just east of 
China with a long history of Presbyterian mission involvement, residents 
are following events in Hong Kong more carefully than most observers -- and 
with considerably more anxiety. 
 
    "We hope Hong Kong can continue to enjoy freedom and democracy," the 
Rev. William J.K.  Lo, associate general secretary of the General Assembly 
of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT), told members of a mission study 
tour sponsored by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  But he and other 
church leaders worry that if the Hong Kong experiment succeeds, China's 
claims on Taiwan will be strengthened. 
 
    China assumes control of Hong Kong under a "one nation, two systems" 
policy.  This unprecedented arrangement -- in theory at least -- will allow 
capitalism and socialism to exist side by side.  Presbyterians in Taiwan, 
who are among the strongest advocates for Taiwanese independence, fear that 
China will use the "one nation, two systems" policy as a powerful tool in 
its long-standing quest for reunification with Taiwan. 
 
    Close to 40 Taiwanese church leaders, legislators and academics crowded 
into a small conference room at the PCT's offices in Taipei May 3 to brief 
the visiting PC(USA) delegation.  They spoke frankly about the state of the 
church and the current social and political situation in Taiwan. Concern 
about the relationship between Taiwan and China ran as an undercurrent 
through all of the speeches. 
 
    "We hope Taiwan and China can peacefully coexist as two countries," Lo 
said.  He reminded listeners that 1997 is the 20th anniversary of a 
"Declaration on Human Rights" issued by the PCT.  In this document the 
church urged the government of Taiwan "to take effective measures whereby 
Taiwan may become a new and independent country." 
 
    When the declaration was issued, other denominations in Taiwan 
distanced themselves from the Presbyterian Church, fearing criticism or 
harassment for what was then an unpopular stand, Lo said. "But now many 
support us." 
 
    Taiwan's current diplomatic isolation compounds PCT leaders' concerns 
about what the future holds for the island's 21 million people.  Taiwan was 
expelled from the United Nations in 1971 when the People's Republic of 
China became a U.N. member.  Now only 29 nations maintain diplomatic 
relations with Taiwan, recognizing it as a separate nation.  The United 
States cut formal ties with Taiwan in 1978. 
 
    Addressing his U.S. visitors, Lo lamented, "No country is as lonely as 
the country of Taiwan." He and others at the Taipei briefing said they 
feared China might invade Taiwan if peaceful reunification strategies fail. 
They cited China's firing of missiles off the coast of Taiwan in May 1996 
and its strong-arm policies toward Tibet. 
 
    Trong-Rong Chai, a former professor of political science at the City 
University of New York, announced plans for a June 28 "Say No to China" 
rally, supported by the PCT and several political parties.  Organizers of 
the rally in Taipei hope to mobilize 100,000 people to resist efforts by 
mainland China to assert control over Taiwan. 
 
    Chai also is the founder of a grassroots "Taiwan Plebiscite Movement" 
calling for an open referendum on the future of Taiwan.  He and most PCT 
leaders believe that if given the chance to vote, the Taiwanese people 
would reject reunification with mainland China and affirm Taiwanese 
independence. 
 
    Church leaders in China disagree.  They believe Taiwan's people, most 
of whom are refugees or descendants of refugees from mainland China, would 
support the view that Taiwan is and always has been part of China. 
 
    In an attempt to maintain relationships with both church bodies, the 
1996 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) expressed support 
for "the people of Taiwan in their efforts for self-determination" but 
stopped short of calling for independence or the restoration of U.N. 
membership for Taiwan. 
 
    Despite its diplomatic isolation, a strong free-market system has made 
Taiwan a force to be reckoned with in the world economy.  But independence 
advocates say they can't afford to wait quietly, hoping world opinion 
eventually turns in their direction.  Especially not if the Hong Kong 
experiment shows signs of succeeding. 
 
    Says Chai, "I think time is not on our side." 

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