Mr Chen Shui Bian or “Ah Bian” as he is oft refered to is truly in a lose-lose situation. Caught between the Scylla and Charibdes, he has to choose to resign and thus admit his guilt of corruption or face tens of thousands of prostestors who constantly besiege him.
With the upcoming October 10 (Double 10) protest in planning, I expect a much harder time in store for “Ah Bian”.
Interestingly, if you read all the scandals and what not over his alledged corruption. He has not being convicted of any crimes. Politics in Taiwan has always being on the wilder side if you ask me.
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Politics in Taiwan are certainly on the wild side. Of course, from the viewpoint of democratic development, we shouldn’t ignore what Taiwan has accomplished …. This is very true. At the same time, we must become more keenly aware of what Taiwan IS and what Taiwan IS NOT.
A new lawsuit launched in Wash. D.C. shows that in fact (gasp) Taiwan is a (long-lost) “overseas territory of the USA!” A summary of the case is here — http://www.taiwankey.net/suit.htm
How long can the US government continue to deny the truth?? The best way to assure that the Taiwanese continue to develop along the democratic path is to fully recognize Taiwan’s true international legal position.
I can see where you are coming from in regards to Taiwan legal status.
However the truth of the matter is that it involves way too many factors to consider. You have
1) China
China increasing weight in international affairs is the crux of the matter. No country likes to lose whether it is land, money or people.
2) US / China Relationships
To a lesser extent, most of the other leading nations relationship with China. With China increasing weight and voice as a superpower, it is exactly the reason why there is only a handful of nations which acknowledge Taiwan as a sovereign nation (18 or so at last count as far as I recall)
3) Hong Kong
What happen in Taiwan will be a mirror to what could have happen with Hong Kong. Just as China is using Hong Kong as a showcase of 1 country 2 system and a way for Taiwan to “reunify”
4) Macau
To a lesser extent, same as above
I think Taiwan long ago lost their biggest trump card in regards to this matter. Once all the wealth and businessman move their factories over to China, the game is already up.