24 November 1994

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN TAIWAN'S RESPONSE

TO THE CHINA CHRISTIAN COUNCIL'S STATEMENT

On September 2, 1994, the China Christian Council (CCC) issued a statement which was sent out to ecumenical churches and also published the same in the Amity Newsletter (ANS). Among other things, the statement mistakenly declares that Taiwan is part of China and that advocacy of "Taiwan is Taiwan, China is China" and "Taiwan should enter the United Nations", is a betrayal of the overwhelming majority of Taiwan's people. This in fact is simply a repetition of China's official slogans, and because of these distortions, therefore the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) feels there is a need to refute some of these opinions and clarify some of the issues.

Based on its Faith, the PCT identifies with Taiwan, and together with its people, has gone through painful experiences of colonial rule, however, in this suffering, it still insists on playing the role of prophet and watchman. The struggles of the PCT on behalf of Taiwan sovereignty and human rights has been accepted by Taiwan's people and adopted by them: included among these are "general elections of all members of congress", "joining the United Nations under the name Taiwan", "sovereignty of the people"....etc. Among these, "Join the United Nations" already has become accepted by an overwhelming majority and now has strong support on the local level. This kind of respect for the dignity which God gives to humankind as it struggles for the welfare of the people, is not something which should be distorted or discredited.

People around the world continue to learn from history. They cast aside tyrannical dictatorships, and rather choose freedom, democracy to build their own countries free from domination. Taiwan's people are no exception. People are the masters of a country. The people of Taiwan, according to past experiences and current realities, have advocated that "Taiwan is Taiwan, and China is China", and "Taiwan and China are two different sovereign countries". They have the right to decide their own country's destiny. When Taiwan's people, through peaceful means, decide their nation's future, we hope the international community would respect their decision. According to historical fact, the PRC never has ruled Taiwan. Taiwan absolutely is not part of China, yet the PRC very often threatens to take Taiwan by force. We not only seek to solidarize Taiwan people to protect Taiwan, we ask that Taiwan/China problem be settled without force. A peaceful settlement should be reached through the process of dialogue and co-ordination. If we do this then we can promote the welfare of the lives of the people in both countries and promote peace in the world.

Being a Christian community, we recognize that Christian solidarity and national unity are not equal terms. Further, we feel that the differences in national identity should not be an obstacle to Christian solidarity. So, we hope and pray that faith will transcend nationalism. We appreciate the friendship of ecumenical churches and their support to the struggles of the PCT on moral grounds and from the standpoint of faith. We also recognize that such kind of support is an expression of Christian solidarity and not merely political sympathy. The PCT is happy to maintain mutual respect for each other's sovereignty, equality, mutual trust with the CCC. The PCT is happy to march together hand in hand with the CCC in the mission of the church, so that justice, peace, and joy of the Kingdom of God will come on earth. It is also our hope that the ecumenical churches will become a bridge and a witness of reconciliation between the PCT and the CCC.

SIGNED BY:

S. S. Chen
Moderator of the General Assembly

C. S. Yang
General Secretary