This is a great topic for stressing long-standing friendships. THE CONTROVERSY In June 2013, Taiwan signed a trade deal with China as part of a series of economic deals, some of which were already in effect. Subsequently, ratification of this trade deal in Parliament has been blocked by the minority party for months. In early March 2014, the minority party resorted to physically seizing the Parliament speakers podium to thwart proceedings. In response, the majority party relocated the proceedings to a conference room and immediately declared the Parliamentary review to be complete. This sparked a student movement on the premise that the China deal was signed and rammed through the process without transparency. On March 18th, students broke into and occupied the Parliament, demanding that the President retract the deal and that a new law be drawn to establish a supervisory mechanism for any deals with China. The head of Parliament, who had a recent falling out with the President, made no attempts to remove the students by force. On March 22nd, a faction of student protesters broke into and surrounded the Cabinet building. Overnight, the head of the Cabinet ordered riot police to disperse the protesters in and around the Cabinet building using water canons, shields, and batons. The Parliament remained occupied by student protesters as the head of Parliament continued his inaction. On March 30th, over 100,000 people took to the streets in support of the students demands. The mass gathering ended peacefully and without violent confrontation. As of April 4th, student occupation of the Parliament continues. MY VIEWS It has been about twenty years when Taiwan first started to hold free elections. Twenty years is a heartbeat, considering the backdrop of authoritarian rule for most of recorded Chinese history. It is early days for the young Taiwanese republic and teething pains can be expected. The illegal occupation of the Parliament and subsequent attempt on the Cabinet building are glaring blemishes on an otherwise admirable student movement that appeals to both hearts and minds. To advance their goals, the students and their supporters should: 1) Vacate the Parliament because the occupation violates the very democratic principles they are fighting to protect. 2) Organize people en mass via the Internet and other means to contact their representatives in Parliament to vote against ratifying the China deal and for their agenda. 3) Watch the Parliament review and vote on the China deal. If it is the result they want then great. If not, then they should let the representatives in Parliament who voted against their wishes know that they will be voted out in the next election. But they should accept the result. Taiwan is a beacon of democratic principles and human rights for all ethnic Chinese people in the world. The people in China who are able to circumvent the great firewall are watching this event very closely, as are the rest of the world. How Taiwan negotiates this important juncture will demonstrate its resiliency and ability to self-correct. My dream is that Taiwans republic will flourish and, in a few generations, influence the rest of the ethnic Chinese world towards democratic governance.
Posted on: Sat, 05 Apr 2014 02:25:05 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015