Taiwan ‘a country of sovereignty’

In response to the labeling of the Republic of China (ROC or Taiwan) as a “noncountry” in the Inquirer’s June 20 editorial, we would like to ask the Inquirer this question: If the ROC is a “noncountry,” why would Filipinos need to apply for visas to travel to Taiwan?

Just like the Philippines, Taiwan is a country of sovereignty. Calling it a “noncountry” is by no means constructive in mending our already-frayed bilateral relationship. Restoring it requires good faith, instead of prejudice. The name-calling should stop here since it is not mutually beneficial.

The so-called “One China policy” has nothing to do with the May 9 shooting incident; rather, it is just a convenient excuse for a government attempting to evade responsibility for the death of Hung Shih-chen. The ROC is a democratic country and President Ma Ying-jeou was democratically elected by its citizens. He is endowed with responsibility to protect the welfare of his people, including Hung. No self-respecting sovereign country’s head of state will sit idly and tolerate the unjust killing of his people. Also, the ROC government is responsible for seeking justice for the victim.

Furthermore, the ROC citizens were understandably and reasonably angry over the killing of this innocent and totally unarmed ROC fisherman over the overlapping EEZs and called for justice. In fact, we do not think that any fisherman, regardless of his nationality, should be wrongly accused without evidence, and be shot and killed by another nation’s civil servants. The value of human life should transcend international politics and national borders. Had the incident happened to a Filipino fisherman instead, Filipinos would react in the same manner as our people did.

By calling for justice, the ROC government’s four legitimate demands, which are neither “populist” or “jingoistic” nor aimed at “channeling the anger of the Taiwanese public,” have received full support from its people. The ROC government has no wish to “force the Philippines into a corner.”

As for the Inquirer’s choice to label our demand for a formal apology from the Philippine government as a “preferred script,” we would like to reiterate that as the May 9 shooting incident was carried out by Filipino civil servants, the apology should be issued by the Philippine government.

We do agree with the editorial: “[C]ooperating with neighboring countries is the best way to advance mutual interests.” The First Preparatory Meeting on Fisheries Cooperation between the two sides has been fruitful, with both parties pledging to avoid the use of force or violence to help resolve the long-standing fishery dispute over the overlapping EEZs. We hope that this will be a good start in mending the relationship.

Taiwan has never been “bellicose” in any form. The editorial is right—“there is also the advantage to be gained from stronger relations with a more flexible, less absolutist South China Sea claimant like Taiwan.” Let us respect each other’s rights and hope for the best.

—CHANG PONG,

press director,

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines