In the letter headlined, 'China must call a halt to bullying tactics' (South China Morning Post, July 19), your correspondent Jenny Jarosfam states: 'What people in Taiwan want is not so much independence. What they do not want is to become part of a communist country.' This sentiment is exactly the mainstream feeling among the Taiwanese people. That is why Taiwan's President Lee Teng-hui's comment about a 'special state-to-state relationship' between Taiwan and China has the support of the Taiwanese people.
This stance allows Taiwan to negotiate on a more equal footing, and to refuse any attempt at a forced marriage that will put Taiwan under communist rule.
In total, 79 per cent of Taiwanese people surveyed agreed with this stance of 'special state-to-state relationship'.
About 60 per cent felt that it should be 'Republic of China' versus 'People's Republic of China' at the negotiating table. About 20 per cent felt that it should be 'Republic of Taiwan' versus 'People's Republic of China'.
The majority of the Taiwanese people (more than 90 per cent) want to maintain the status quo, and do not want reunification at the moment.
A forced marriage of two different societies that are at very different stages of political and economic development will not work, especially when the more advanced side is not allowed to take a significant role in the marriage.
China, if allowed to dominate Taiwan, will drag down Taiwan's development.
