Dear Language Enthusiast,
Welcome to the Chinese Monthly, the Internet newsletter from
Transparent Language. In this issue, we take a look at current events in China.
Language, like culture, is dynamic, changing and evolving over time. This issue
of Chinese Monthly provides a fascinating glimpse at an event that is shaping the
culture of today. And, of course, it also provides an opportunity to build your
language skills.
Sincerely,
Transparent Language
www.transparent.com
In English:
No one yet knows the long-term consequences of Taiwan's recent presidential
election. However, there is no doubt that the election, the first democratic
transition of power from one party to another in 5,000 years of Chinese history,
was an important historical event, for Taiwan and the future of China.
The victory of Chen Shui-bian, reformist candidate of the pro-independence
Democratic Progressive Party, in Taiwan's second-ever open presidential
election ended 55 years of control by the Kuomintang (Nationalist Party). Chen
defeated Kuomintang candidate Lien Chan as well as independent candidate
James Soong.
Chen's election came largely because of domestic concerns. Many Taiwanese
were unhappy with the Kuomintang's association with "black-gold," a network of
corruption and links with criminal activity that helped the party retain its position.
Chen, a former mayor of Taipei who grew up in poverty, is seen as someone who
will work against corruption. He is also a realist, who, while mayor of Taipei,
cooperated with Kuomintang officials to solve local problems.
Taiwanese voters may have been acting locally, but their actions have potentially
global implications. Chen is known for advocating independence for Taiwan, a
stance which angers the government of the People's Republic of China. Just
before the election, Chinese prime minister Zhu Rongji warned the Taiwanese
against choosing a pro-independence candidate, a thinly-veiled reference to
Chen. After the election, Chinese President Jiang Zemin said Chen is welcome
to come to the mainland for talks. However, he stipulated that Taiwan must first
recognize that it is an inseparable part of China, known as the "one-China
principle."
Chen also expressed willingness to build a constructive dialogue with mainland
China although he disagrees with the "one-China principle," which defines
Taiwanese government as local and not equal to the communist regime. He has
softened his position on independence, saying he would put the issue to an
islandwide vote only if China attacked. It is not clear whether he can reconcile his
stance with the "one-China principle." One early sign that he is trying to mend
fences came in an early press conference when a planned speech by his vice
president Annette Lu was canceled. Lu's speech contained strong words against
Beijing.
While a president who advocates independence may seem unlikely to improve
relations with Beijing, many observers are optimistic, pointing to Chen's
pragmatism. Chen himself has reminded observers that it was Richard Nixon, a
strong opponent of communism, who began the process of normalization of
relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China.
Sources:
The Washington Post
National Public Radio
United States State Department
AP Reports
Time (Asian edition)
Newsweek (Asian edition)
