The Wisdom of Asia №8

Part Ⅰ：How to Deal with China and America 

Chapter Two
What a "State-to-State Relationship" Seeks

                                                                             Lee Teng-hui

1. Taiwan's Democratization Means Self-rule by Its People
　　Let me first address the question of democratization. Taiwan's　democratization process has some unique aspects. They are probably　understood by Taiwan researchers around the world, but one may describe　two factors. The first is the realization-with the will of the people at the　center　for the idea of　''what the people desire, always exists in my heart."　This is an idea basic to liberal democracy that has existed in our country　since the Sun Yat-sen era. In Taiwan's democratization process, there is　something that does not stop with what in America is called liberalism and　democracy. It contains questions that will surely emerge when the question　of "liberal　democracy" is internationally debated.
　　　　Taiwan has long been under a condition in which the people could　not govern themselves. During most of its history, Taiwan has had the fate of　being ruled by "an external regime." Taiwan thus first had to face the issue　of how to escape from that "external regime," and simultaneously to solve　the ethnic problem of whether its people are "Chinese" or "Taiwanese." Here　lay a very complex problem.
　　　　What does the democratizing of Taiwan seek? Ultimately, it is　"Taiwanization." In the volume The Road to Democracy published in 1999, I referred to Taiwan simply as "The Republic of China in Taiwan." My recent thinking, however, has advanced to the point of calling it "Taiwan's Republic of China." It should be clear that the question of Taiwan's identity is an issue that is automatically tied to and stems from that of democratization.
　　　Many countries are trying to realize "liberal democracy" in the coming years. But the interpretation of "freedom" varies with national conditions. In Taiwan's case, there is the historical fact that the people did not have their own government for a long time. They must do their best to establish their own government. Taiwan's democratization has not yet been completed. The truth is that many barriers, such as the old ruling class, the manipulation by the ruling class of the mass media, public opinion and education remain hindrances to genuine democratization in numerous ways.
　　　　Taiwan's democratization cannot be completed within the scope of what in America is called "Iiberal democracy." It has the additional issue of what Dr. Nakajima has called the question of "Taiwan's identity."
　　　 When my book Taiwan no Shucho ( 『台湾の主張』 ) was being  translated, the title was translated as "The Road to Democracy," and the subtitle as "Taiwan's Pursuit of Identity," because the pursuit of identity will become the central issue in the process of Taiwan's  political changes in the future.
　　　 Why is identity an important issue for Taiwan? Let me explain  in some detail.
　　　 I was until recently Chairman of the National Party of China. But even the KMT was once "an external regime." I touched on this in "The sorrow of the Place," my conversation with the late Shiba Ryotaro ("Gaido o Yuku 40, Taiwan Kiko," by Asahi Shimbun) and also in "The sorrow of  being born a Taiwanese." The people of Taiwan had no choice but to consider themselves as subjects of the National Party regime. Starting from that condition, democratization evolved gradually and matured. The maturing of democracy led to the concept of Ha special state-to-state relationship.

"The Wisdom of Asia" Translated by Alexander K. Young 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Akita International Univwrsity Press

日本語版『アジアの知略』は光文社カッパブックスにあります