Chapter 11 : Future Prospects

 

Outline

The internationally admired “Taiwan experience” refers to the successful development the ROC on Taiwan has had in the past half-century. There are many things the ROC must do to ensure survival and development: enhance democracy and the rule of law; promote a free and globalized economy; develop culture and education; carry on pragmatic diplomacy; consolidate national defense; and normalize cross-strait relations.

 

Democracy and rule of law

The ROC on Taiwan has peacefully carried out political and economic reform. Economic development has been steady. The “Taiwan experience” has become a model for developing countries and a source of strength as the ROC stands firm in the face of the threat posed by the PRC.

For the sake of survival and development of the ROC, all citizens should stand together to consolidate the ROC’s system of democratic governance and justice. We must work together to protect human rights and preserve a fair and just social order. Similarly, we must join hands to maintain a sound civil service and improve the quality of public services.

 

A free and globalized economy

Economic deregulation and globalization is the right path of development. We must accelerate the development of high-technology industries and turn Taiwan into a bastion of cutting-edge technology. And we must establish Taiwan as an Asia-Pacific Regional Operations Center, as a hub of transportation, finance and information in the Asia-Pacific region. Taiwan must continue to pursue a strategy of economic and trade cooperation and maintain an important place in world economy. If we follow through on these plans, Taiwan, together with Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu, will always remain economically vital and play an important political role on the world stage.

 

Cultural and educational development

The education system must be reformed to give all schools more developmental freedom, and to give students more choice. We should enrich curricula to educate citizens about democracy, science, and culture and allow them to cultivate a sense of identity with land and country.

Concerning cultural development, we should nurture healthy and interdependent local and community cultures. These cultures are not to be homogenous, however: They should reflect the diversity of Taiwan culture as a whole by integrating different ways of life. What is important is that every member of these cultures feels as if everyone is in the same boat together: the goal is to make people conscious of being part of “same-boat communities.”

 

Pragmatic diplomacy and national defense

To protect the sovereignty and rule of the ROC throughout the territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu, and to protect the democracy and prosperity achieved by its 23 million people, we must maintain a policy of pragmatic diplomacy, seeking support from our diplomatic allies as well as from international society in general.

Defense must be modernized. We must procure advanced weapons. The soldiers must maintain morale and discipline. Most importantly, the citizens must realize that national defense is everyone’s responsibility. To ensure peace and safety, the ROC must be capable of defending itself in the event of war, though the ROC will never instigate or provoke war.

 

Normalization of cross-strait relations

For over sixty years, Taiwan and China have been ruled separately by different governments with different identities. There are huge differences between Taiwan and China in terms of politics, economics, society, and culture. The PRC should accept the reality and renounce the use of military force against Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matzu. Instead, guided by the principles of reason, equality and mutual-benefit, the two sides should entertain peaceful and friendly relations and engage in trade and cultural exchange. This will create a win-win scenario and usher in a bright 21^st century.