LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Taiwanese right to be wary of China deal

4/27/2014

Your April 1 editorial “Trading the future,” in support of the trade pact between Taiwan and China, did not take into account two factors that help explain why so many Taiwanese took to the streets in protest.

The objections were not only to the substance of the agreement, but also to the Taiwan government’s process in coming to it. In contravention of Taiwanese law, the negotiations were not transparent, and the details of the proposal were not released.

There is a notion encouraged by the Chinese government that Taiwan is merely a wayward bit of China. This is not true. The cultures and languages of the original inhabitants of the island of Taiwan are distinct from those of China. The Chinese government has never held full sway over all of the territory and people of the island.

Most people of Taiwan do not regard their country as part of China. No wonder so many of them are wary of granting their much larger neighbor power and influence within the Taiwanese economy.

RON TUOHY

Bowen Road