14 April 1993

A STATEMENT FROM THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN TAIWAN CONCERNING THE PRESENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TAIWAN AND CHINA

During this Easter Season, when we remember how the Lord Jesus suffered for all humankind, was crucified, died, rose again and effected reconciliation between God and humankind, we rejoice to see that, since the end of the Cold War, the countries of the world are also making strides towards reconciliation. However, the precondition of reconciliation is always that both sides mutually recognize and respect the international status and autonomy of the other.

Based on this conviction, our Church reaffirms the stand of its 1977 DECLARATION ON HUMAN RIGHTS "...to face reality and to take effective measures whereby Taiwan may become a new and independent country." and its 1991 PUBLIC STATEMENT ON THE SOVEREIGNTY OF TAIWAN which states, "Before a new government is formed, based on a new constitution, and before authority is given by the people as a whole, no person or political party, or group should have the right to consult with the China government about any important policy which affects Taiwan's security and matters relating to citizen's benefits."

But now, without the peoples' mandate or supervision, and while China still does not respect Taiwan's sovereignty and international status, the ruling KMT Party has hastily appointed Mr. KOO Chen-Fu to hold, in Singapore, the so called "Koo Wang Talks" with China's representatives. Although the Government is concealing the truth by doing this under the pretext of being a civilian affairs meeting, this action will in fact give China the opportunity to spread propaganda and mislead world opinion, creating the false impression that Taiwan and China have already begun unification talks. All this will affect the sovereignty, security and welfare of Taiwan's people.

Facing this situation, our Church consistently adheres to the principles of its faith, and earnestly presents the following statements for immediate and urgent action:

1. SUSPEND THE KOO-WANG TALKS

At a time when the Chinese Authorities still do not respect Taiwan's Sovereignty and international status, the Koo-Wang talks should be temporarily suspended.

2. ABOLISH THE NATIONAL UNIFICATION COUNCIL AND THE NATIONAL UNIFICATION GUIDELINES

We protest the KMT Party's present monopoly in the China Policy decision making process. Therefore we urge immediate abolition of the unrepresentative National Unification Council and the National Unification Guidelines with its precondition that Taiwan must be unified with China.

3. CREATE AN ORGANIZATION TO FORM POLICY ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TAIWAN AND CHINA

An authoritative and accountable organization for Taiwan-China relations should be established through the legal process. This organization would formulate the basic guidelines for Taiwan-China relations, which would then be decided by the people of Taiwan through a referendum.

4. AMEND CURRENT POLICY ON TAIWAN-CHINA RELATIONS

In its current economic, trade, athletic and cultural policies with China, Taiwan has already lost something of its sovereign status. This should be immediately examined and amended. In order to protect Taiwan's security and the welfare of all Taiwan's people, the Government needs to study, and solve, the widespread problem of illegal laborers from China, rampant espionage, and economic over dependence on China.

5. APPLY FOR ENTRY INTO THE UNITED NATIONS

The Government and Taiwan's people must strive together for an early entry into the United Nations using the name "Taiwan", and promote the establishment of an Asian and Pacific Region Common Security System to ensure the sovereignty of Taiwan, and so bring to an end, once and for all, the danger of Taiwan being swallowed up by China.

6. URGE PEOPLE TO TAKE A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN GOVERNMENT

During this transition process in Taiwan-China relations, we urge Parliament, which represents the people, and each level of society, especially the Democratic Progressive Party, to be more responsible in overseeing political developments, and to create a turning point for a better future for Taiwan.

Our Church strongly affirms that Taiwan and China must each have its own sovereignty as a precondition to relations across the Taiwan Straits. Then, adhering to the principle of equality, mutual benefit and coexistence, the two governments should have mutual recognition and respect. They should sign an International Peace Treaty to enhance the welfare of the people on both sides, and participate together in building the new world order of justice and peace.

"He (The Lord) shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken."

(Micah 4:3, 4) [NRSV]

SIGNED BY:

Y. J. Chuang
Moderator of the General Assembly

C. S. Yang
General Secretary