See my response to Thomas L. Jim Devine [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://myweb.lmu.edu/jdevine
________________________________ From: PEN-L list on behalf of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sat 3/12/2005 7:56 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [PEN-L] Taiwan vs. PRC >>>To me, I see no reason to change national boundaries (e.g., merging >China and Taiwan) unless there are really good reasons.<<< <<<The thing is that almost all Chinese living on the mainland (and almost <half in Taiwan?) don't see China/Taiwan as separate national <boundaries. They believe in the "One China" principle and they see one <country. (Of course the people in Taiwan believing in the 'One China' <principle also believe the provisional situation must remain that way until <circumstances in China change.) >>>>> Comment Taiwan versus the Peoples Republic of China? I do not see how it is possible to merge Taiwan and China since they are not historically separate. Rather the issue seems to me to be - (perhaps incorrectly), the political and military jurisdiction of a multinational state system based in Mainland China. Mainland China means the main land boundary of history development that is identified in world history and politics as Chinese. What is "separate" - and this is not a good word, is the state form and certain limited forms of economic activity and its political expression. Actually, there does not exist the "separate" - a horrible word, except from the standpoint of the imperial intruders. What exists is "the distinction" as it was created, founded and perpetuated by imperialist intruders. There is one Chinese or "One China" as a force of history - the longest continuous recorded history on earth. For example Puerto Rico's "national boundaries" are not merged with America's. Rather the issue is the political (economic) and military jurisdiction of a multinational state system and its form. Puerto Ricans are not Anglo Americans, but apparently Chinese are Chinese because they are Chinese. I am not sure if the usage of the term "national" is an accurate description of the sovereignty of the state form of rule in Taiwan. The concept of "One China" does not translate into an equivalent concept of "One America" or rather equals "One American Union" in the sense of a multinational state authority. There is only "One China" and the Chinese people of Taiwan are very clear that they are Chinese and their current political status is bound up with imperial intrusion of "the West" and in recent history - the past century, Japan. The obvious has to be stated. The basis of unification and defining it on the basis of ones individual concept of democracy is a tricky game. If there is only "One China," we of the imperial countries need to be considerate and try to understand history outside of ourselves. For example we can look at Hong Kong. The democracy of Hong Kong's return within the multinational state system of China does not mean that Hong Kong was "separate." There is and has been only "One China" and the unequal treaty forced on the Chinese in regard to Hong Kong remains a source of deep shame and humiliation. Whether we like it or not or understand it or not - and I personally understand "it," the Chinese are Chinese and there is only "One China." The distinction that is the state form of rule over Taiwan is a "special problem" and not the result of a democratic imperative or a peculiar "national boundary" development, but rather military defeat, imperial intrusion and the inability of the government(s) of China to maintain its historical integrity as they see and understand it. China has made it clear that it will go to war over its history as Taiwan and all the facts of world history - in my opinion, does not disclose that there has ever existed more than "One China." Democracy in the mouths of the historical imperial states and individual expressions within these states, that took part in China's deep humiliation, seems to be a smoke screen to further force another slap in the face and more humiliation to the peoples of China. China has become and is in fact more democratic and peaceful than American and has been since 1949. Today we can compare the entire record since 1949 by looking at the behavior and material impact of this enormous multinational states on their citizens and the people of the world. In 2005 is China more democratic and peaceful than America? What about asking the people of the world as an exercise in democracy? The issue of "the special problem" of Taiwan, is as a province of China, (because there is only "One China)," arose from imperialist conquest from the West and East. That is to say this "special problem" has nothing what so ever to do with a particular form of government or economic system on the Mainland of China. There is only "One China" and one can of course ask the people of Taiwan and then the 1.3 billion on the mainland. Waistline
