From today's Taipei Times:
The pandas, whose Chinese names, when put together, mean “to reunite,” were offered to former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairman Lien Chan (連戰) during his visit to China in May, 2005.
"To reunite". Wow. Almost as subtle as Spain sending a couple of Iberian lynxes (collectively named "Columbus rocks") to Bolivia.
An analysis piece at the Times describes the game that's afoot:
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora stipulates that the transfer of endangered species between two countries must abide by the covenant. The CITES Secretariat, however, said on Monday that it considered China’s export of the two pandas as “domestic trade.”
Taiwan Society secretary-general Lo Chih-cheng (羅致政) said the importation of the two animals was an overt attempt by Beijing to push toward its goal of Taiwan’s de jure unification with China and part of its strategy to “internalize” the Taiwan question.
“The former Democratic Progressive Party [DPP] government internationalized the Taiwan issue, but the Chinese Nationalist Party [KMT] administration cooperates with Beijing to internalize it,” he said.
It is manifest in the four agreements signed by the both sides, Lo said. Taking the example of direct cross-strait flights, all airports open for such services are “domestic.” The cross-strait food safety mechanism does not need to go through the international health organization either, he said. [emphasis added throughout]
Years ago, I had an online exchange on another blog with a disagreeable Aussie leftist on the subject of Taiwan. The details have been lost to the ether and my own fading memory, but part of his argument was that Taiwan is part of China (China says it's so, so it must be true!). And because it's a domestic affair, other countries should just butt out.
I find myself thinking more about that conversation lately. Because I think if we were to have that same conversation now, he would find himself heavily armed with Beijing's arguments. Taiwan accepts pandas from China on the basis of DOMESTIC transfers. Check. Taiwan accepts flights from China as DOMESTIC in origin. Check. And last, but not least, Taiwan now publicly refers to itself as a REGION of China.
How would I respond to my interlocutor now, I wonder?
Welcome, little Tuan-tuan and Yuan-yuan. Willkommen kleiner Ans und Chluss.
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POSTSCRIPT: All of my posts on the pandas may be found here.
http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=820981
A pretty good editorial.
Its final paragraph:
All Taiwan citizens should keep in mind that the real price of this politically motivated ``gift`` not only includes NT$38 million in taxpayer funds and the loss of freedom of two pandas but Taiwan`s sovereignty and our own dignity in the international community.
Posted by: :: jozjozjoz.com :: | December 24, 2008 at 07:42 PM
Aarrggh. The Left is so ridiculous on Taiwan, it makes me want to become a Neocon.
Posted by: Michael Turton | December 25, 2008 at 12:20 AM
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Crazy thing was, he fantasized about a future war in which the American navy was obliterated by the Chinese. Guess he never stopped to think about the implications for Australian security in that eventuality.
Posted by: The Foreigner | December 25, 2008 at 04:55 AM
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It IS getting harder and harder to explain to others outside of Taiwan that the Taiwanese really want to be free and independent when they continue to vote against that ideal.
Furthermore, there is little outrage shown when the KMT continues to sell Taiwan out with treacherous abandon.
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Posted by: STOP Ma | December 27, 2008 at 02:20 AM