LettersBeijing can afford to adopt a peaceful and patient approach to Taiwan

Righteous condemnation of the injustice of the “unequal treaties” that were imposed on China in the 19th century by foreign powers, who at the time had bigger and better weapons than the Chinese, has become widespread among Chinese leaders. To be sure, the gunboat diplomacy of the 19th century was unfair and brutish, essentially saying “do what we want or we will use our ship’s cannons to kill your people and destroy your cities”.

However, Beijing’s current approach to Taiwan seems to unwisely ignore the opportunity to resolve matters peacefully through diplomatic negotiations. China has had amazing accomplishments in nation-building, resulting in a powerful economy that is likely to soon become the world’s largest. It is certainly possible for Beijing to engage with Taiwan and discover terms on which the matter can be resolved peacefully and voluntarily.

It doesn’t matter how long it takes, as Taiwan poses no imminent threat to mainland China. What matters is how the latter will go down in history and what its choice of resolution will mean for its future relationship with the rest of the world. China can emerge as a major world leader, or a major threat to peace and prosperity.

I cannot agree more with the letter, “Protests abroad by HK migrants need to stop” (June 14). Those who have chosen to leave Hong Kong of their own accord are unwisely making fools of themselves abroad when they stage protests.