Not a Normal Independence Movement

Not a Normal Independence Movement
China Post editorial
by Bevin Chu
August 2, 2009

Champions of Taiwan independence often lament that "Taiwan is not a normal country."

They are wrong about Taiwan being a country, but right about Taiwan not being normal. Not only is Taiwan not a normal society, the Taiwan independence movement is not a normal independence movement.

If one is a citizen of the Republic of Korea, and someone asks you what you are, your normal response ought to be "I am Korean."

If one is a citizen of the Federal Republic of Germany, and someone asks you what you are, your normal response ought to be "I am German."

If one is a citizen of the Republic of China, and someone asks you what you are, your normal response ought to be "I am Chinese."

The fact that champions of Taiwan independence obstinately refuse to answer "I am Chinese" shows us just how abnormal Taiwan is.

The "normal" response of champions of Taiwan independence is to argue that "Taiwan is not part of China" and "Taiwanese are not Chinese" because Taiwan has never been ruled by the Peoples Republic of China government in Beijing.

Taiwan never has been ruled by the Peoples Republic of China government in Beijing. Not for one day. Not for one hour. Not even for one minute.

But what does PRC rule have to do with Taiwan being part of China, and Taiwanese being Chinese?

Taiwanese were Chinese before Taiwan was ceded to Japan in 1895. Taiwanese have been Chinese since Taiwan was retroceded to China in 1945.

Taiwan has been part of the Republic of China ever since Japan retroceded Taiwan to China in 1945. The Republic of China has ruled all or part of China continually since 1912.

Champions of Taiwan independence mock Republic of China claims to sovereignty over all of China as "delusional." But that too is "normal." After all, champions of Taiwan independence themselves are delusional.

The "normal" response of champions of Taiwan independence is to point to the disparity between the size of the Chinese mainland and the size of Taiwan, then burst into derisive laughter.

The "normal" response of champions of Taiwan independence is to point to the disparity between the power of the Beijing government and the power of the Taipei government, then burst into derisive laughter.

But whom are champions of Taiwan independence laughing at? Themselves?

Don't champions of Taiwan independence argue that their political claims have greater legitimacy than those of Beijing? Don't champions of Taiwan independence insist that "Size doesn't matter?" Don't champions of Taiwan independence insist that "Might doesn't make right?"

Champions of Taiwan independence are right when they insist that "Size doesn't matter." Champions of Taiwan independence are right when they insist that "Might doesn't make right."

That is why Pan Blue champions of eventual reunification are right when they insist that the Republic of China government in Taipei has just as valid a claim to be the legitimate government of China as the Peoples Republic of China government in Beijing.

It is "normal" for champions of Taiwan independence to draw disingenuous analogies comparing "Taiwan's independence from China" with "America's independence from Britain."

Champions of Taiwan independence argue that just as "Americans (of British descent) are not British," so "Taiwanese (of Chinese descent) are not Chinese."

Their unctuous sophistry would hardly be worth refuting if not for the fact that many Blue Camp politicians are so intimidated by Taiwan Independence Political Correctness they no longer dare to speak up.

Of course Americans are not British. They ceased being British the moment they won their war for independence. The moment Great Britain signed the Treaty of Paris in 1783, recognizing the independence of the Thirteen Colonies, British colonists ceased being British and began being American.

Champions of Taiwan independence will cease being Chinese the moment the same situation applies to Taiwan. But until it does, Taiwanese will continue being Chinese.

The American independence movement was a normal independence movement. The American revolutionaries, unlike champions of Taiwan independence, were not deluded. They knew full well that until they won their political independence from Britain, they would still be British.

The Taiwan independence movement, on the other hand, is not a normal independence movement. Champions of Taiwan independence, unlike the American revolutionaries, live in a fantasy world. Although Taiwan has yet to separate from China, although Taiwan is unlikely to ever separate from China, champions of Taiwan independence would have the world believe they are "Taiwanese citizens" of a non-existent "Nation of Taiwan."

The only principled solution to the dilemma of involuntarily imposed national identity is of course individual self-determination. But until the Blue, Red, and Green camps are enlightened enough to jettison the "normal" political paradigm, the status quo may be the best we can hope for.