Global Times | 2013-6-6 0:38:01
By Li Kaisheng
After the shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman last month by the Philippine authorities, Taiwan and the Philippines sent investigation teams to visit the other side and many details of the shooting incident have been revealed. It has been reported that the abuse of military force by the Philippine Coast Guard in the recent shooting incident can be basically confirmed. After negotiations, the Philippines may admit fault and the issue will slip from public attention.
However, a thought-provoking lesson has to be drawn from this incident. These incidents will not come to an end without cooperation across the Straits. Neither the "one-China policy" nor Taiwan's limited influence in the international community is the real reason why the Philippines continues its strategy of stalling.
In Manila's eyes, Taiwan is still unable to produce as much deterrence as the Chinese mainland. The Philippines' incessant threats and provocations can only take effect because of separating status across the Taiwan Straits, which is the "Achilles' heel" between the mainland and Taiwan.
In fact, many have long been aware of this soft spot, calling for a joint force to protect sovereignty and fishing rights. Nonetheless, this constructive idea has confronted a long-standing obstacle: Although economic cooperation and mutual understanding in diplomatic affairs across the Straits have been thriving, there is little progress in establishing a consensus in terms of political relationship and security concerns.
As one Chinese nation, both the mainland and Taiwan have the responsibility to guard our mutual interests. As to Taiwan, whose ambition far exceeds its strength to protect its fishing rights, there should be a reflection of the stagnant political relationship across the Straits. A reasonable and up-to-date ideology is what really matters.
On May 29, Tsai Ing-wen, former chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party, delivered a speech at Mingdao University, claiming that cross-Straits cooperation cannot continue if the mainland doesn't respect "Taiwan's independence." However, the truth is that a separate Taiwan, in order to strike a balance with the mainland, will have to depend on external forces. The intervention of other nations can only bring loss of interests.
A breakthrough in the political relationship across the Straits also requires wisdom and honesty from the mainland. When former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping talked about the Taiwan question, he said that we could discuss everything under the framework of one China, even the name of the nation. The mainland should be more committed to addressing this long-standing problem.
Only this new interdependent relationship with mutual trust can stop the Philippines and other countries from their provocations. The interests of Chinese, including Taiwanese, can then be guaranteed.
The author is an associate research fellow at the Institute of International Relations, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.
