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On the 25th Anniversary of the Declaration on Human Rights, the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan again proclaims her desire for Taiwan’s entry into the United Nations. |
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In May of the year 2000, Taiwan successfully passed through a peaceful transition of power from one political party to another. We are committed to walking the road of democracy. Even so, we experience domestic anxiety and externally imposed crisis. In recent years the Chinese nation, which is sovereign over territory across the Taiwan Straits, has targeted hundreds of missiles at Taiwan. China continues to conduct military exercises that cause the 23 million people of Taiwan to fear for our lives, freedom and personal safety. These actions threaten the peace and security of the Asia-Pacific region. China’s government has also put pressure on Taiwan’s foreign relations and fomented unrest and division within this nation. The treatment becomes progressively harsher. Taiwan’s political opposition parties, after suffering defeat in the presidential elections of 2000, have ceaselessly stirred up political dissent. They protest for the sake of protesting. Aided by an ill intentioned mass media and flagrant exaggerations they have poured lies into the eyes and ears of the population, causing social chaos to flourish and the people to lose heart. In the midst of a global economic slowdown many Taiwan corporations have made heavy investments in China, transferring the livelihood of Taiwan’s traditional industrial workers and technology producers westward. Taiwan is being bled dry, its political culture increasingly driven by China trade. The press for “3 links” with China is but one manifestation of this phenomenon. Internally and externally we are pressured. The new government is beset before and behind. Reforms are delayed, and our national position remains cloudily confused. It seems there is no way to promote cohesion among the hearts of the people or to break through our of international isolation. Amid Taiwan’s internal anxiety and external crisis, the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, “rooted in this land, identifying with all its inhabitants and through love and suffering being a sign of hope” calls for prayer. The church joins the struggle of the people of Taiwan. We re-affirm our intent, stated 25 years ago, to see Taiwan as “a new and independent nation.” We reiterate our 1991 statement on the Sovereignty of Taiwan, in which we said, “Taiwan is a sovereign country. Taiwan’s sovereignty and land belong to the people in Taiwan.” We advocate this nation’s application to enter the United Nations under the name “Taiwan”. This church hereby proclaims: 1) Establish Taiwan’s national identity under our true name, “Taiwan” The government must settle on “Taiwan” as the name of this country, establish a national identity as Taiwan, and strengthen the national recognition. By these means the life, mutual feeling and destiny of Taiwan will be recognized. The relationship between Taiwan and China, two separate nations, can then become a dialogue. The government must give increased energy to the conduct of political, educational, cultural and economic reforms, firming up Taiwan’s self hood. 2) Establish civilian based defense to protect Taiwan’s peace on land and sea. We urge China’s government to withdraw all missiles currently targeted at Taiwan, reduce all armed threats and intimidating acts, and show goodwill and peaceful intent towards Taiwan. We call for the establishment of civilian based defense within Taiwan, to protect the security, freedom and sovereignty of Taiwan’s people. 3) Call all people to enthusiastic participation in the movement for Taiwan’s admission to the United Nations Currently of the world’s 193 nations, only Taiwan and the Vatican are not members of the United Nations. Taiwan is a sovereign and independent nation. Entry to the UN and participation in international service are our right and responsibility. We call for the government and people of this country to enthusiastically support the admission of Taiwan to the UN under the name “Taiwan.” We run by faith, wisdom, effort and unrelenting struggle, breaking through all opposition and barriers, in accordance with UN guidelines. We will enter international society, not just to demonstrate the sovereignty and independence of Taiwan, but to strengthen Taiwan’s international security and more fully participate in world movements for justice, peace and the improvement of human welfare. We call on the churches of the world and scholars of international justice to cooperate with us so that Taiwan might soon enter the United Nations.
“Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you, wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, NRSV)
Wang Kwang-sze Moderator, 48th General Assembly Presbyterian Church in Taiwan William J. K. Lo General Secretary Presbyterian Church in Taiwan |
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