The Influence Factors And Thinking Of Taiwan’s "International Space" Issue

Taiwan’s “international space” issue is a sensitive and complex component ofTaiwan issue. Its sensitivity lies in its close relation to Taiwan’s image under theinternational exposure. Had it not been handled carefully, it is easy to create animpression of “Two Chinas” or “One China and One Taiwan”, which is inconduciveto the future peaceful reunion. And its complexity lies in the fact that this issue isconstantly affected by United States and Japan, as well as its engagement ininternational organizations, all of which can neither be delayed for long,nor be donein a rush.Taiwan’s “international space” issue arose in the1970s. Many leaders of Taiwanincluding Jingguo Jiang, Denghui Li, Shuibian Chen and Yingjiu Ma have applied orare applying different diplomatic strategies to develop the sense of “internationalspace”, and have achieved different results. The historic change that Taiwan’s“international space” issue in past decades has shown that the core factor lies in therelationship between Taiwan and Chinese mainland. Meanwhile, in different degreeand different area,it has also been under influence from international organizationslike UN, as well as major countries like Japan and the United States.As in the future, with the support of Taiwanese’ popular will as well as the driveof the individual interest, Taiwan will insist on its expansion of the“internationalspace”, which Chinese mainland should give its due attention and positive treatment.Under the guideline of “One-China”, Chinese mainland could talk to Taiwan on its“Allies” issue and reach an agreement that maintains the current “truce” policy toavoid waste of resources and damage of its international image, tries to limit itsrelationship with its “non-diplomatic allies” to an “unofficial” one, and tries toleverage the positive energy of the American and Japanese stand against “Taiwan’sindependence”.As for demands like participating in the international organizations,Chinese mainland can, to certain extent, fulfill Taiwan’s reasonable demand, andleave some room for the future discussion with one-by-one and temporaryarrangement.