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TAIPEI --The admission of first Beijing and then Taipei into the World
Trade Organization (WTO) will greatly improve the relationship between the
two adversaries, Taiwan Foreign Minister Chen Chien-jen said in an
exclusive interview.
Chen made the remarks on the eve the March 18 presidential election while
China continued saber-rattling threats and Taiwan's populace was
suffering from the "jitters" of a record-breaking stock market fall.
The Foreign Minister said there was "no question" about Taiwan
following China's tracks into the WTO once Beijing has completed pending
agreements with a final fistful of countries.
"There is no question about Taiwan's admission," Chen said. "We have
passed the requirements and signed 26 agreements, all except with Hong
Kong. And Hong Kong is part of China so that is pending."
His afterthought was delivered with pride: "Taiwan, after all, is
the world's 15th leading trading nation."
He might have added that the United States and Japan exerted pressure on
China to agree unequivocally to Taiwan's immediate entry into the WTO after
its own. Taiwan agreed to face reality and wait in line, even though its
own economy measures up to world standard better than does China's.
How is an "exclusive interview" with the world's "on the hot spot"
foreign minister arranged while nearly 100 foreign journalists gathered for
a later group interview?
It helps that a working relationship extended back 20 years in
Washington D.C. and Taipei when Chen represented the embassy of
officially-recognized "Republic of China' and the reporter was a
diplomatic correspondent and bureau chief.
Meanwhile, the United States' days as being regarded as the most
prominent "third party" in the political stand-off between The People's
Republic of China (PRC) in Beijing and the Republic of China(ROC) on a
Taiwan may be numbered.
Out of the murkiness of stalled cross-strait relations and the part-fog
part-industrial pollution that weaves a blanket of morning mist here, the
faint outlines of a "Japan card" can be seen.
Japan's assertiveness on the "Taiwan question" so far is several
decibels below that of the United States' congress and media.
But there are indications that Japan will be displaying new strengths
in the months ahead. Any such Japanese moves, particularly moves
interpreted by Beijing as Japanese rearmament, will be criticized.
Although both were Japanese colonies in the first half of the last
century, Taiwan is not so emotional about the colonial past as is Korea.
In Taipei, the Japanese-built presidential office building is still
used by President Lee. The official guest house, built for the Japanese
Governor-General as his official residence is regarded as an historical
landmark. In Korea, such buildings have been demolished as part of
political movements within the last 10 years.
A multi-billion deal to construct a Taipei-Kaohsiung "Shinkansen" rapid
train has been clinched y a Japanese consortium. Expanded arrangements to
base more Japanese reporters in Taiwan, rescinding earlier Beijing
objections, is another example. Expanded air routes are other
developments.
Behind these moves is the possibility that outgoing President Lee
Teng-hui may visit Japan to reunite with classmates at Kyoto University.
Chen showed that the rigors of diplomacy have not blunted his sense of
humor.
"So you'll have a job here at least until May 20," I said, referring to
theinauguration date of the new president and cabinet.
"Or I may have a better job," the Foreign Minister said.
I took the bait. "What job might that be?"
Chen's eyes twinkled as he answered: "As a journalist."
Edward Neilan (eneilan@crisscross.com) is a veteran journalist, based in Tokyo, who covers East Asia and writes weekly for World Tribune.com.