Ever since Lee Teng-hui called on mainland China to accept that the relationship between the ROC and the PRC is "a special state-to-state relationship," constant rumors have surfaced of PLA military exercises. In addition to reports confirmed by Taiwan's Ministry of Defense that mainland aircraft passed beyond the center line of the Taiwan Strait, a series of guided missile and rocket practice launches by warships of the South China Sea fleet on Leizhou Peninsula starting August 10 have been interpreted as being related to Lee's statement, as was Taiwan's display of M41D military vehicles and live-ammunition firing of armor-piercing weaponry. Nevertheless, the Ministry of National Defense has emphasized that PRC military flights are not an overt expression of aggression, and to date PLA maneuvers have been pre-scheduled training exercises that do not affect the security of Taiwan, adding that citizens should be aware of mainland China's strategy of psychological warfare, which is intended to disrupt the confidence of the people.
The state-to-state" idea has also prompted a cross-strait cyber-battle. On August 7, a false report pretending to be from the Central News Agency purported an air disaster over the Taiwan Strait, provoking a war between hackers on both sides. More than ten Taiwan websites, from the central government to local administrations, were disrupted by hackers claiming to be from the PRC. Homepages were replaced with essays attacking the "two states theory." A number of Taiwanese counterattacked, invading PRC government websites and inserting the ROC flag and national anthem. The cyber-battle has mainly consisted of obstructing the other side's sites with graffiti and slogans and has not reached the point of damaging servers or stealing confidential data. It seems that neither side has let the conflict get out of control.
The fundamental source of conflict over the "state-to-state" formula is the opposing interpretations given it by officials on either side, and the dialogue remains stuck at this basic bottleneck. The PRC contends that the "state-to-state" formula is a crude violation of the "One China" principle and insists that Taiwan rescind the statement.
Taiwan, meanwhile, has repeatedly contended that its policy toward the mainland has not changed. The ROC Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has claimed that the new formula is intended to elevate the positions of the two sides to an equal status in anticipation of Wang Daohan's visit, and reaffirmed that the Republic of China is a sovereign, independent state, suggesting that if the PRC faces up to reality and admits Taiwan's sovereign status, negotiations on the "three links" could be expected soon, and that harmonious cross-strait relations would bring stability to the Asia-Pacific region.
ROC President Lee also has repeatedly stressed that legally, historically and pragmatically, the "special state-to-state" relationship is undeniable. The ROC's space for existence has already been boxed in, and the PRC's hegemonistic attitude not only threatens the existence of Taiwan but is also disadvantageous for the security of the region. Lee has also pointed out that ever since he spoke of the "special state-to-state" formula, the international community has been unable to avoid addressing the question of Taiwan's sovereignty and international status, so "the more noise, the better."
In terms of public opinion, the "state-to-state" formula has elicited a wide variety of viewpoints. At the end of July the KMT Central Committee's Department of Policy Research conducted a survey concluding that 57% of Taiwan's populace supports the government's decision to discontinue the use of the phrases "One China" and "equal political entities," while 23% are opposed. The same survey revealed that as soon as the "special state-to-state" formula was presented, popular support rose significantly for next year's presidential candidate Lien Chan.
The Democratic Progressive Party has expressed support for the "special state-to-state relations" concept. Tainan County executive Chen Tang-shan, a DPP member, organized a joint proclamation by 15 county and city heads. The New Party, however, has firmly criticized the new policy, claiming that President Lee's statement has been disastrous for Taiwan, and calling on supporters to take part in a July 25 "anti-war demonstration."
The US attitude toward Taiwan's new policy has also been a focus of concern. Generally speaking, the US government, from President Clinton on down, has reiterated its support for the "One China" policy and has expressed a high degree of concern for the security of the Taiwan Strait. Meanwhile, it has gone ahead with military sales, including radar warning devices, to Taiwan. Several congressmen have voiced their support for the ROC, approving the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act, while a series of bills "strengthening Taiwan security" have been proposed in both houses of Congress. And America's role as mediator has manifestly increased during the current flare-up.
From its establishment by Sun Yat-sen to this very day, the ROC has always been a sovereign and independent country. It is certainly not clear that any contradiction exists between "One China" and the "special state-to-state relationship." Indeed, it is because of the overarching principle of one China that the special state-to-state relationship needs to be explained to the international community. We can only hope that Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait can embrace this reality, and resume constructive exchanges at an early date, in preparation for a peaceful unification in which we will live and prosper together.
p.74 Table
Major Events in the "State-to-State" Controversy
July 9
In an interview with the radio station Deutsche Welle, ROC President Lee Teng-hui defines cross-strait relations with the PRC as a "special state-to-state relationship."
July 11
A spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Offices of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the PRC State Council warns "Taiwanese independence forces" to "stop playing with fire."
July 12
ROC Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) chairman Su Chi states that from now on, Taiwan will not use such phrases as "One China" or "equal political entities."
For the first time, the US State Department comments on the issue, reiterating its "One China" policy.
July 15
Lee Teng-hui states that the existence of both the ROC and the PRC is a reality; the state-to-state relationship between the two sides has in reality existed for several decades.
The PRC publicly announces they possess neutron bomb technology.
July 16
US State Department spokesman James Rubin warns Beijing that any effort to resolve the Taiwan question other than by peaceful means will be viewed as a threat to the peace and security of the Asia-Pacific region.
July 18
US president Bill Clinton contacts PRC president Jiang Zemin by telephone, reaffirming America's long-standing "One China" policy.
July 19
ROC premier Vincent Siew reaffirms three policies toward cross-strait relations that remain unchanged: "encouraging constructive dialogue and friendly exchanges," "seeking a win-win strategy" and "striving for a future unification of China that is peaceful and democratic."
July 20
ROC president Lee states that only after a democratic unification will "One China" be possible.
Bill Clinton reaffirms America's "One China" policy. The United States will view with grave concern any effort that disrupts peaceful dialogue.
July 21
PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Zhang Qiyue warns that if there is no change in the "two states theory," it will inevitably impair cross-strait relations and impact the stability of the Taiwan Strait.
The US White House announces the cancellation of a military advisory group's visit to Taiwan.
The US House of Representatives approves the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act.
July 22
American Institute in Taiwan director Richard Bush arrives in Taiwan.
July 23
Lee Teng-hui tells Bush that he firmly opposes Taiwan independence.
Vincent Siew comments that the "state-to-state" formula is supported by a majority of Taiwan's citizens.
July 25
Upon leaving Taiwan, Richard Bush reaffirms the United States' "One China" policy and emphasizes the importance of dialogue.
US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright states that Taiwan's explanations of the new policy are unclear.
PRC Foreign Affairs Minister Tang Jiaxuan describes Lee Teng-hui as a "troublemaker" and warns the US not to "fan the flames of Taiwan independence"; he also refuses to rule out the use of military force.
July 26
Lee Teng-hui comments, "Peaceful unification is my long-term goal."
Vincent Siew remarks that a "special state-to-state relationship" clearly reflects the reality of cross-strait relations. Taiwan's policy toward mainland China will not change in any way.
July 27
US National Security Adviser Sandy Berger states that Taiwan should accept the structure of "One China." MAC chairman Su Chi expresses objections to Washington's delineation of "One China," saying the definition should be determined by both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
July 30
Koo Chen-fu, director of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), responding to demands from Wang Daohan, head of the PRC's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), for a clarification, says that "One China" is a thing of the future, while right now the two sides are "equal governments that exist simultaneously." ARATS considers the SEF's clarification letter a "serious violation of the common consensus regarding the One China principle," ARATS sends it back.
The Pentagon informs Congress it is allowing US$150 million in military sales to Taiwan.
August 1
The MAC issues a statement explaining that the "state-to-state" formula is meant to pave the way for political negotiations with mainland China and for harmonious cross-strait relations, and it is beneficial to the stability of the Asia-Pacific region. The ROC's policy toward mainland China has not changed, nor will changes be made to the ROC constitution in this respect.
August 4
A PRC Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman responds to the MAC statement, claiming that Taiwan's "state-to-state" stance merely purports to be "special in nature" in order to cover up its separatist character, which is fundamentally "a two-state doctrine."
August 10
Lee states, "The more noise made over the 'state-to-state relationship,' the bigger it becomes; the more noise, the better. It will let everyone know the ROC's difficult position."
Su Chi says that the question of the status of both sides of the strait is better discussed sooner than later.
ARATS director Wang Daohan hints the precondition for his visit is that both sides return to the "One China" principle.
August 11
ROC Government Information Office director-general Cheng Chien-jen points out that the special state-to-state relationship has received the support of the mainstream American media.
August 13
Chen Yunlin of the CPC and PRC Taiwan Affairs Offices states that if Taiwan amends its constitution or laws to include the "two states theory," peaceful unification is impossible.
August 14
Lee Teng-hui comments that the principal purpose of the "state-to-state" formula is to establish equal negotiating status for the two sides in view of the expected visit by Wang Daohan.
August 15
State Council vice-premier Qian Qichen states that the PRC is still waiting for Koo Chen-fu to recant the "two states theory."
August 16
Lee Teng-hui reiterates that Taiwan's policy toward mainland China remains unchanged. He also supports US president Bill Clinton's cross-strait policy.
Su Chi states that if the PRC can accept the "special state-to-state relationship," political issues, such as the "three links," can be discussed.
August 17
ROC premier Vincent Siew states that the "special state-to-state" formula does not need to be rescinded.
August 18
Lee Teng-hui reiterates that from a variety of perspectives, including practical reality, history and the law, the ROC is a sovereign state. He proposes that cross-strait interactions should be based on equal positions, not the unequal positions of a central and a local government.
August 19
US State Department spokesman James Rubin confirms that PRC president Jiang Zemin requested US president Clinton to halt military sales to Taiwan, but that the US had not yet responded.
August 20
Rubin says that the US has not ruled out including Taiwan in the Theater Missile Defense system.
chart by Jackie Chen
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