wfn.org | Taiwan Church Leaders Weigh In on Obama's Victory

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>Taiwan Church News

>2959 Edition

>November 10~16, 2008

Taiwan Church Leaders Weight In On Obama’s Victory

>Reported by: Lin Yi-ying

>Written by: Lydia Ma

Several church leaders and seminary professors in Taiwan agree that  Barack Obama’s victory is indeed a defining moment in U.S. history.  However, a few of them worry about what an Obama presidency would mean  for Taiwan. According to the head of pastoral education division at  Tainan Theological College and Seminary, Chen Chhong-hoat (Zeng  Chang-fa), if Obama’s appointment of China-friendly officials who  also served during the Clinton administration is any indication, the  future of Taiwan-U.S. relations could be rocky. Chen fears that  relationship between the two countries could worsen. He points out that  traditionally, Democratic presidents tend to be less friendly toward  Taiwan than Republican presidents. Hence, it remains to be seen whether  Taiwan’s place in the international community will improve under  the Obama administration.

Yu-Shan Theological College and Seminary director Pusin Tali noted that  Obama’s win is the result of long years of struggle, effort, and  sacrifice on the part of minority groups in a multi-cultural country.  For many years, African-Americans defended their human rights by  fighting against slavery and discrimination. Taiwanese aboriginals have  much to learn from this process, said Pusin Tali, emphasizing that they  should be active pursuers of their autonomy. He stressed how important  it was for aboriginals to have self-rule and hoped that the Taiwanese  government would understand that encouraging aboriginal groups to become  autonomous would further enhance Taiwanese democracy. Pusin Tali notes  that Obama’s win is a good model for the aboriginal people of  Taiwan. It is only by insisting on autonomy that they will one day shine  and receive the respect and fair treatment they deserve.

According to Chen Chhong-hoat, Obama’s win was not determined by  his campaign promises alone. He argues that it came about partly because  of public dissatisfaction and disappointment with the Bush  administration. President Bush’s failed policies on Asia have also  damaged U.S. relations with Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. It is hard to  predict whether Obama’s policies on Asia will differ significantly  from his predecessor. What is known is that Obama is appointing some  Clinton era advisers to some of the top offices in his administration.  These officials leaned toward China and saw Taiwan as an irritant in  Sino-US relations. Hence, Taiwan should keep an eye on future  developments in Sino-US relations.

Other seminary professors pointed out that in light of the current  global financial crisis, Obama will face an uphill battle from the start  of his presidency. It is very likely that he will take some measures to  protect trade and slow down the increasing national deficit. In order to  improve the US economy and resolve conflicts with North Korea over  nuclear proliferation, the Obama administration will likely cozy up to  China and seek its help at the expense of Taiwan. Coupled by the  Taiwanese new government’s China-leaning policies and its retreat  from active foreign diplomacy, the future looks dim for Taiwan.

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