Leading China-Taiwan scholar Scott Kastner spoke about issues of peace and conflict across the Taiwan Strait to more than 350 people at the 麻豆原创 on Tuesday.
The presentation was organized by the 麻豆原创 Global Perspectives Office and held during a special open meeting of 麻豆原创 LIFE. The program was part of the 2011-2012 theme, 鈥淧eople Power, Politics and Global Change.鈥�
In his overview of cross-strait relations, Kastner 鈥� an associate professor at the University of Maryland 鈥� outlined the historical impediments that have led to the current stalemate over Taiwan鈥檚 political status. Since the Chinese Nationalist Party, the Kuomintang, fled to the island in 1949 and established the Republic of China, there has been a struggle over whether the island is technically a part of the People鈥檚 Republic of China on the mainland, Kastner said.
Until recently, Taiwan鈥檚 internal debate over its political status had been a severe irritant to China, which considers the island a province. Kastner discussed how other countries, such as the United States, play a role in maintaining a precarious power balance in the region.
Taiwan鈥檚 current president, Ma Ying-jeou, has been able to ring in 鈥渁 new era of more constructive cross-strait relations with a policy of 鈥淭hree Noes鈥� 鈥� no unification, no independence and no use of force,鈥� Kastner said. Citing results of multiple national surveys, he indicated that many Taiwanese prefer the status quo, which leaves the question of the island鈥檚 status for future generations.
Taiwan鈥檚 presidential election Saturday may determine the course of future relations between the two governments, Kastner said.聽 Ma supports continuing the 鈥淭hree Noes鈥� policy, while opposition candidate Tsai Ing-wen fears Taiwan has grown too dependent on China in recent years.
One audience member, who referred to himself as a Chinese-American from Taiwan, underscored the importance of the election, and said he would be flying there this weekend to cast his vote.
Another audience member mentioned that, beyond politics, there is an unresolved question of identity, which is an emotional issue driving both sides that cannot be forgotten or overlooked.
In addition to the Global Perspectives Office and 麻豆原创 LIFE, sponsors and partners included the 麻豆原创 China-Taiwan Cross-Strait Program, C.T. Hsu and Associates, the 麻豆原创 Political Science Department, The Chinese American Scholars & Professionals Association of Florida, and the Global Connections Foundation.