Taiwan not a province of China

[dArKeR]

By Zhang Jia-lin???

Monday, Jul 12, 2004,Page 8

The recent cancellation of a concert by Taiwanese pop-star A-mei (???) in Hangzhou caused a strong reaction in Taiwan. Taiwanese Internet users are now trying to initiate boycotts of Chinese and Hong Kong artists to stop them from performing in Taiwan. Given the tense cross-strait situation, people on either side of the Taiwan Strait trying to intensify the antagonistic mood does not help China's anti-independence, pro-unification efforts.

Although the incident may have been the result of an independent action by some people in China, and although it was described as an "isolated incident" by China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), it reflected the fact that both officials and the general public in China still do not understand Taiwan and take a simplistic and rigid approach to cross-strait issues. It also showed that the relevant Chinese authorities have neglected to direct the general public's understanding of the complexity of the Taiwan issue and to inform them of the correct ways to treat the people of Taiwan.

This has led a minority of people in China to confuse populism with patriotism. We all know that A-mei is a very popular singer in Taiwan. Her recent experience will undoubtedly deepen suspicion and dislike of China among the people in Taiwan in general and the younger generation in particular. It seems it is not a mere "isolated incident."

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/edit/archives/2004/07/12/2003178715