A letter to President George W. Bush
Ching-chih Chen

April 18, 2006

Dear President George W. Bush,

Chinese President Hu Jintao will be visiting the White House for a talk with you on Thursday, April 20, 2006. It is for sure that among other things, Hu will ask you for US concessions on Taiwan.

With hard work, perseverance and ingenuity of the Taiwanese, post-WWII Taiwan has emerged to become one of Asia’s most advanced economies and one of its most free and democratic countries. Indeed Taiwan simply is a success story and a true multi-party democracy worthy of emulating by all developing countries, including China. Every four years, just as the Americans do, the Taiwanese freely elect the president of their country.

The U.S. and Taiwan have been each other’s important ally for decades. The freedom-loving Taiwanese treasure this valuable and mutually-beneficial relation. In the minds and hearts of the great majority of the Taiwanese, Taiwan is a sovereign democracy with all the characteristics of a sovereign nation. In addition, surveys after surveys have unmistakably shown that the great majority of the Taiwanese do not wish Taiwan to become part of China.

At a time when the United States is committed to bring about democracy in Middle East and other regions, it certainly does not bode well for the U.S. credibility if the US should choose to adopt the position that the Taiwanese should live under the terms of Communist China.

One must realize that the heightened tension across the Taiwan Strait is nothing more than a direct result of China’s territorial ambition against Taiwan. China today has 800 missiles targeting Taiwan, i.e. a 20-fold increase from 40 missiles in 1996 when China launched missiles near Taiwan. In addition, China has been steadily upgrading its nuclear-capable military to include a deep-sea navy. The Chinese military modernization in reality is posing a threat not only to Taiwan but also to other Asian countries. Recognizing China’s ambition to be the dominant power in Asia, Japan has perceived China’s rise as a threat to Japan’s national security. Likewise, India, which fought a war with China in 1962-1963, and Vietnam, which fought back China’s military incursion in 1979, are understandably apprehensive of China’s rising influence in Asian-Pacific region. Even the 2005 Pentagon report pointed to China’s heavy expenditures aimed at weapon systems whose only use is against the US military. It will indeed be a serious mistake to believe China’s claim that it is striving for a “peaceful rise.” The urgency for the US to refocus on Asia and not to stand idle when the democratic Taiwan is militarily challenged by China is obvious.

History will show that when the U.S. steadfastly sides with freedom and democracy, the U.S. exerts greater influence on humanity. It is also hoped that the U.S. will encourage China’s leaders to respect the wishes of the Taiwanese, as this offers the only meaningful solution to the Taiwan-China impasse. To continue to discourage the Taiwanese from pursuing their own destiny puts the U.S. in an unenviable position of siding with repressive, authoritarian Beijing government which has consistently suppressed freedom, ignored human rights and degraded human dignity in China.

In short, it is in the US national interest to protect the interest of Taiwan and the well-being of its people.

Respectfully and sincerely yours,
Ching-chih Chen,
San Marcos, CA