‘China Doesn’t Understand Ah-Bian’

Thursday, May. 17, 2001 Chen Shui-bian made history a year ago when he was elected President of Taiwan, ending 55 years of Kuomintang rule. He’s now honing his role on the global stage, as a key player in the cross-Strait drama and with a visit later this month to Latin America via the U.S. Chen sat down last week in Taipei for an interview with TIME editors and reporters. Edited excerpts:

TIME: How do you interpret the Bush Administration’s arms-sales plan for Taiwan?
Chen: The decision was made because of China’s increasing military budget and expanding military buildup, including missile deployment. It is also because China has continued to delay constructive and meaningful dialogue with Taiwan. Because of the threat from China, the military balance in the Taiwan Strait might be lost by the year 2005. That would not only affect Taiwan but would constitute a serious threat to the stability of the entire Asia-Pacific region. The missile threat from China is not just a 13-day threat like the Cuban missile crisis was 40 years ago. It is day-by-day threat, year by year. Providing Taiwan with the necessary defensive weapons ensures its security and democracy. It also gives the people confidence to engage in dialogue with the PRC. I respect President Bush for his wisdom.

TIME: Do you see an opportunity for closer military cooperation with the U.S. and do you worry that Beijing’s reaction could cause worse tension in the Taiwan Strait?
Chen: Under the Taiwan Relations Act the U.S. has an obligation and responsibility to assist Taiwan’s security. The recent decision on arms sales was made in line with that spirit. There is nothing unique about it.

TIME: If Jiang Zemin were to visit Taiwan, what would you tell him?
Chen: First, we would want Jiang to understand that Taiwan is a true democracy and that our legislature, media and society are democratic and diverse. Second, we hope that Jiang would understand that the “One Country, Two Systems” policy they advocate has no market in Taiwan. They should not think that just because Hong Kong people accept such a policy, 23 million Taiwanese would also accept it. Third, we would make Jiang understand that Taiwan practices true religious freedom. While in China the Falun Gong movement has become a problem, in Taiwan it poses no problem whatsoever.

TIME: Could Taiwan survive a military attack from the mainland?
Chen: For the defense of Taiwan we are compelled to purchase modern and advanced defensive weapons. It is not a choice — we are forced to do so. The PRC missile deployment and military build-up are aimed not only at Taiwan but also seriously threaten the interests of the U.S. and Japan in the western Pacific region. If conflict breaks out, the impact will not be limited to one place or to the two countries directly involved. Taiwan’s security must be protected, but there is no need for that protection to set off an arms race. As the leader of Taiwan, I can say that we will not initiate war. We do not seek a conflict. But if necessary we will not flinch from protecting ourselves. The Taiwanese people are very courageous. They have survived and grown up under pressure and under threats.

TIME: Does China understand what’s happening in Taiwan?
Chen: The PRC doesn’t understand Taiwan, it doesn’t understand the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and it doesn’t understand Ah-Bian (Chen’s nickname) personally. The PRC has made two major mistakes. First, it thought that my administration would soon topple. Ah-bian will not fall and will certainly complete the four-year term. Second, the PRC thinks that talking to this administration directly would be giving credit to Ah-Bian and the DPP. But actually the resumption of meaningful and constructive dialogue would not only credit Taiwan but would also benefit the PRC and Jiang.

TIME: What have you learned about politics in your first year as President?
Chen: As a country in transition, Taiwan unavoidably went through some difficulties. The strength of the opposition parties and the differing ideologies sometimes caused a bit of turmoil in the legislature. But we can say with pleasure that Taiwanese society was not chaotic, the Taiwanese people were not chaotic and the military was not chaotic. Taiwanese people have been very mature and very rational. Taiwan is a genuinely democratic country. Taiwan is not the Philippines. Taiwan is not Indonesia. Taiwan is Taiwan.

TIME: Your plan to transit in the U.S. through New York strikes some people as unnecessarily provocative.
Chen: According to recent polls, more than 62% of the people believe that my transit through the U.S. will be beneficial for promoting Taiwan’s overall diplomacy. It’s strange how the PRC is interfering in the affairs of other countries. The U.S. is a sovereign and independent country and it should be able to provide the appropriate reception and service to visiting heads of state from other countries. Why should they have to consult with anyone else?

TIME: Why not allow more mainlanders into Taiwan — more tourists, more journalists? They’d be able to see what’s happening in Taiwan and take that information back.
Chen: We aren’t opposed to that. Every day there are at least 100,000 people from the mainland engaged in various kinds of work or activities here. Even a country as large as Japan has to set limitations on tourists from the PRC — a small place like Taiwan must also cautiously evaluate and consider opening up more fully. We need to draw up a comprehensive plan.

TIME: What benefit, if any, would unification with the mainland bring to Taiwan?
Chen: Lin Yi-hsiung, the former chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party, has repeatedly called on the PRC to explain the benefits of unification. But the people of Taiwan cannot accept being a local government or a province of the PRC. The will of the 23 million people against being swallowed up by the PRC or living the kind of life lived by people in the PRC is clear and determined.

TIME: And if those 23 million vote for independence, Taiwan would become independent?
Chen: As I said in my inaugural speech last May, the conduct of cross-Strait relations must respect the free will of the people. I must act in accordance with our constitution in maintaining Taiwan’s national security, dignity and sovereignty.

TIME: But it’s not only the Chinese government that opposes independence. If you look at polls, China’s 1.3 billion people also seem to feel very strongly that Taiwan should not be an independent state.
Chen: Taiwan’s future cannot be decided by any single nation, government or group on behalf of the Taiwanese people. Our future can only be decided by the masters of Taiwan.

TIME: Can you look into your crystal ball and tell us how the Taiwan-China problem will get resolved?
Chen: Some things can be predicted, others cannot. And some things can be controlled but others are beyond one’s control. During my term in office I have pledged that I won’t do anything to provoke the PRC, nor do I seek to anger them. We are genuinely peace-loving people and wish to promote long-lasting stability across the Strait.

TIME: What would be the best scenario and what’s your worst nightmare?
Chen: I hope the two sides can sit down and discuss issues of common interest and mutual concern. We have no preconditions. Such talks can take place anytime and anywhere. But just as the U.S. government is considering developing a national missile defense system, Taiwan must also have the necessary weapons to defend itself. We must be prepared for the worst-case scenario. We must be able to defend ourselves from attack and limit the damage. But our strategic defense goals are deterrence and self-protection. We have never considered taking offensive action against the other side.