In last night's panel discussion about Taiwan's position in world politics, three panelists said the first-ever democratic election on Chinese territory heralds a long period of domestic and international adjustment.
Approximately 40 students and faculty members attended the discussion, titled "Democracy in Taiwan," in the Hinman Forum of the Rockefeller Center.
Kristie Wang, program director of the Center for Taiwan International Relations in Washington, D.C., said 10 million Taiwanese citizens -- more than three-quarters of the voting population -- cast their votes in their presidential election in March.
But she said democratization entails a new cast of problematic issues.
Natale Bellocchi, former chairman of the board and managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan, expressed mixed emotions over a democratic Taiwan. "Democracy helps and hurts. The former status quo is gone forever."
Kevin Lane '83, a government professor at Franklin and Marshall College, said the democratic election has created an economically and politically precarious relation between Taiwan and China.
"Chinese [leaders] are paranoid," he said. "Revolution is not a dinner party."
All three panelists said a lack of communication between the two nations is working to heighten international anxiety.
Wang said talks have broken down.
The conflict is a battle between the entrenched nationalism of China and the new nationalism of Taiwan, she added.
She said Taiwan is striving for international freedom in the face of increasing pressures from China. "It's a practical problem on Taiwan's side and an emotional problem on China's side."
Lane said China-Taiwan tensions are couched in past events and relationships. "Beijing talks about Taiwan in 19th century terms."
Taiwanese progress toward independence, the panelists agreed, can only come with the support of a presently hostile international community.
Wang said Taiwan's lack of official membership in international agencies precludes economic and political growth.
Lane said much of the world has responded negatively to democratization in Taiwan. He said, "People were asking, 'Do you really have to screw around with a good thing?'"
Bellocchi said the two parties must reach an intermediate understanding before further economic or political action takes place. "Independence and unification is a long way off."
