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Hong Kong crisis fuels anti-China feeling in Taiwan
2003-07-12
TAIPEI - Taiwan politicians are hardening their stance on China ahead of presidential elections next year as the controversy over an anti-subversion bill in nearby Hong Kong fuels anti-Beijing sentiment.In theory, growing distrust of Taiwan's political and military foe China plays into the hands of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party as officially it advocates independence from the mainland. But the allied opposition camp -- the Nationalist and People First parties which both support eventual reunification -- has also condemned Beijing over the Hong Kong crisis to gain sympathy with voters before the March 2004 polls. It even went as far as to support a referendum bill that would have opened the door to a public vote on independence, although the bill was finally shelved in parliament on Thursday after negotiations on the details broke down. Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to Hong Kong's streets on July 1 to denounce the anti-subversion bill which critics say will impose Beijing-style control over free speech and present the biggest threat to basic rights in the former British colony since it reverted to Chinese rule in 1997. "Before the election next year, we'll see both political parties jump to criticise China any time it does anything against human rights," said Emil Sheng, a political scientist at Soochow University in Taipei. DISTRUST ON THE RISE Even before the contentious Hong Kong bill, Taiwan's distrust of China was on the rise due to the outbreak of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which began on the mainland, and Beijing's blocking of the island's bid to join the World Health Organisation. China considers Taiwan a renegade province to be eventually reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary. The Hong Kong bill makes the prospects of Taiwan's reunification with China even more unlikely, analysts say. It certainly is not a good advertisement for Beijing's "one country, two systems" principle under which it rules Hong Kong and which it hopes will persuade Taiwan to rejoin the fold. If Taiwan was already highly suspicious of the idea, the sight of half a million Hong Kongers having to take to the streets to protect their rights made it even less attractive. "I haven't seen more support for Taiwan independence, but I'm afraid reunification is even further off," said Tung Li-wen, director of research at the Foundation on International and Cross-strait Studies. "The psychological gap between Taiwan and China is widening." Taiwan's opposition parties are already adopting a tougher line on China to avoid alienating the electorate. Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou, in charge of the Nationalists' mainland policy for the election, told a news conference last week their core principles were to put Taiwan interests first, maintain the status quo and boost trade and economic links. He did not mention reunification. "Taiwan should support the Hong Kong people's quest for democracy. If Article 23 is passed, that will be the bankruptcy of the 'one country, two systems'," said Ma, referring to the anti-subversion bill. As for the ruling party, analysts said it was now even more unlikely that President Chen Shui-bian -- who plans to seek re-election -- would be able to push through major trade openings with China during his current term. The president's top economic adviser, Vincent Siew, said on Friday Taiwan planned to allow direct air cargo shipments to China to pave the way for full-blown transport links, but the political impasse with Beijing meant any discussions on the initiative would have to wait until after next year's elections. Reuters
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