Obama’s letter to Ma
Future President Obama sent a congratulatory letter to Taiwan’s new President:
Dear President Ma:
Please accept my warmest congratulations on your inauguration as the new President of Taiwan. This is an important event in the political history of the island, one which can deepen the ties between the United States and Taiwan. A sound U.S.-Taiwan relationship will certainly be the goal of my Administration. Your inauguration also holds promise for more peaceful and stable relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, in no small measure because you have extended the hand of peace and cooperation to Beijing.
Your election is the latest step in consolidating a democracy that has advanced over the last two decades. The people of Taiwan showed great maturity by endorsing a track of peace, prosperity, and good relations with the United States.
I sincerely hope the People’s Republic of China will respond to the beginning of your presidency in a constructive and forward-leaning way. It is important for Beijing to demonstrate to the people of Taiwan that the practical and non-confrontational approach that you have taken towards the Mainland can achieve positive results. I hope that there will be progress on issues including development of economic ties, expanding Taiwan’s international space, and cross-Straits security, on which you have made proposals that deserve a good-faith response.
I support the “one China” policy of the United States, adherence to the three U.S.-PRC Joint Communiqués concerning Taiwan, and observance of the Taiwan Relations Act. On that foundation, I believe that the United States should strengthen channels of communication with officials of your government. We should continue to provide the arms necessary for Taiwan to deter possible aggression. And we should support your efforts to build closer ties with the Mainland that will lay the groundwork for a mores table and predictable relationship.
Your election on March 22nd and your inauguration on May 20th were good days for the people of Taiwan, for the forces of democracy around the world, and for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and western Pacific. I will do all that I can to support Taiwan’s democracy in the years ahead.
With best wishes,
Barack Obama
Quite a good letter — especially the part where he instances the communiques and the TRA.
[Taiwan]
TAIWAN BLOG FEED
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Hillary says she won’t drop out until Taiwan gets a UN seat.
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:26 pm
My first reaction was that it didn’t sound that great. Isn’t the official US position that we “acknowledge” the One China Policy, not that we “support” it? Perhaps I’m missing something here, but Obama’s use of the word “support” bothers me. Or is acknowledgement what Obama meant by mentioning “adherence” to the Joint Communique (Shanghai Communique), in which US acknowledgement of the One China Policy is mentioned?
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:28 pm
I think as long as he evinces some awareness of the primary docs, we’re OK. At least it shows he’s thinking about Taiwan, which is something progressives aren’t doing.
Michael
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Nice to see Obama taking the initiative and writing what I perceive as a well-informed and well-intentioned letter that is positive for Taiwan. Certainly shows Obama is interested in demonstrating his strengths in diplomacy. I wonder if any of the other candidates were able to muster up an effort to congratulate Ma?
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Well, if you think about it, the statement is ambiguous in itself…
“I support the ‘One China’ policy of the United States.”
If you read more into it, it could mean that he agrees with the “acknowledgment stance” that the United States holds as its One China Policy. So, in this sense, he is saying, “Yeah, I agree with the ambiguous stance of the U.S. at current.”
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:24 pm
“Hillary says she won’t drop out until Taiwan gets a UN seat.”
Hillary = The loneliness of the long-distance runner
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:29 pm
He supports the US position to acknowledge the One China Policy.
I have sent a few letters to Obama’s Foreign Affairs Advisor on Taiwan, but have only managed to be put on the mailing list for donations and pep talks.
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:37 pm
If you read more into it, it could mean that he agrees with the “acknowledgment stance” that the United States holds as its One China Policy. So, in this sense, he is saying, “Yeah, I agree with the ambiguous stance of the U.S. at current.”
Yep, that’s how I see it.
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:05 am
Ahh, ok. Now the subsequent clause mentioning the Joint Communique makes more sense. It is probably meant to reiterate that the U.S. holds the “acknowledgment stance.” Nice critical reading skills, guys! =P
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:55 am
Obama is a Soviet Sleeper Agent - Extremely, Extremely bad news for us Americans. Look at how he behaves - like he’s programed, like he’s been looked up in a room for 2 decades with nothing but videos of JFK speeches to watch.
GREAT NEWS - Taiwan government websites have all gone back to being real - No More Fantasy Land
UN for Taiwan removed from most, R.O.C. added to all and the History page finally corrected.
Now if China will ever remove the internet Blocker for this blog all will be good!
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:56 am
I’m working on it, trace. I’m switching to Wordpress on my own domain, not blocked. I’m going to start pumping out a post or two a week in Chinese too. Maybe you can correct my grammar.
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:28 am
“Obama is a Soviet Sleeper Agent - Extremely, Extremely bad news for us Americans. Look at how he behaves - like he’s programed, like he’s been looked up in a room for 2 decades with nothing but videos of JFK speeches to watch.”
I’m sorry. I don’t speak crazy. Can someone translate?