We, the founders, authors, and editors of the US-China Forum, all grew up and studied in Taiwan—a place we call our homeland. People in Taiwan are honest, peaceful, modest, diligent, and competitive and have strong motivation to strive for success. We inherited these cultural traits, which have made us proud and sentimental about Taiwan.
It was unfortunate that Taiwan was under Japanese occupation for fifty years from 1895 to 1945. During this period, people in Taiwan suffered greatly from Japan’s systematic discrimination and savage colonial rule. History dealt Taiwan an unfair hand in the path of returning to its motherland China. A small minority of people in Taiwan attempted to collude with external forces to make Taiwan an independent sovereign country separated from China. We believe this political attempt is not in the best interests of the people of Taiwan. An independent Taiwan runs contrary to the international agreements made after World War II, and we firmly oppose an independent Taiwan! Mainland China is our ancestral land where our roots are. Since China’s “Reform and Opening-up” era began in 1978, the country’s economic development and national strength have been the envy of the world. However, with this economic success have come problems. We have witnessed widespread official corruption, judicial injustices, and polarized wealth distribution in the society. We, as caring people of Chinese descent, want to strongly urge the leadership of the People’s Republic of China to recognize these problems, cleanse the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and purge corrupt officials. The United States is our adopted country. Over the past several decades, we have raised our families and pursued our careers here, and we appreciate the many opportunities this country has offered us. Like many Americans, we have our independent views on political issues and do not necessarily agree with all US government policies. For instance, we disagree with the US invasion of Iraq, US support of the military government in Egypt, and especially the US-Japan alliance that encourages Japan to revert back to its pre-war militaristic policies. If military skirmishes develop into wars in Asia, can the United States be completely free of guilt? With these concerns, we, as Americans, want to voice our opinions and protest through all media including our own. We believe that Taiwan belongs to the people of Taiwan and also to all Chinese people in Mainland China, like Hawaii belongs to all Americans. Similarly, Mainland China belongs to the people of Mainland China and the people of Taiwan. The two sides of the Taiwan Strait must proceed toward peaceful reunification to realize a common prosperous China that can contribute to peace and prosperity not only in Asia but also the rest of the world. We hope the CCP leadership will guide Mainland China into a more transparent, just, harmonious, law-abiding, and happy society that will inspire the people of Taiwan to take voluntary steps toward an eventual peaceful reunification. The United States and China are the world's two largest economies, with intertwined and mutually beneficial relations. Mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries will bring stability and prosperity to the world, while suspicion and conflict will bring destruction and disaster. Thousands of miles apart, the US and China do not have any territorial conflicts or any necessary hostility. The two countries had been anti-fascist allies and had won the final victory in the Pacific theater of the Second World War. A mere five years later, the once allies turned enemies as the two countries fought fiercely against each other in the Korean War. Both countries suffered. A peace treaty eventually gave both sides the realization that peace was much more precious than war. President Nixon's groundbreaking trip to China in 1972 enhanced US-China relations and cooperation. China also benefitted from the United States’ help through the Reform and Opening-up process that led to China's miraculous economic achievements. The events over the past three-quarters of a century have clearly shown that cooperation is mutually beneficial and a win-win, while hostility and confrontation are a lose-lose proposal. Therefore, we must appeal to the leaders of both countries: promote mutual understanding, strengthen US-China cooperation, and jointly guide the world to peace and prosperity! With our unique backgrounds, we are grateful to Taiwan, Mainland China, and the United States, and we love all three. Precisely because of this love, we cannot help but voice our concerns, suggestions, and criticisms. The articles published in this forum may be critical, but we plead to the governments of the United States, Mainland China, and Taiwan to understand our wishes for a harmonious US-China relationship and peaceful reunification across the Taiwan Strait. This forum is open to the public. We hope that all Chinese and Americans—no matter where you live or come from—will join us and submit essays and letters to the editors. Let us use our actions and words to strengthen the US-China friendship and support the peaceful reunification of China! |
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Copyright 2015. US-China Forum. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2015. US-China Forum. All rights reserved.