cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/5667571
Taiwan’s future should be decided by Taiwanese, German-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group chairman Till Steffen said yesterday, while giving former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) a tour of the German parliament building.
Tsai [Ing-wen, the former Taiwan President] arrived in Berlin … and … delivered a keynote speech at the Berlin Freedom Conference titled “Threats facing democracies: Taiwan’s experience defending freedom.”
Tsai … attended a tea gathering at the Bundestag, joined by former friendship group chairman of 15 years Klaus-Peter Willsch, German defense affairs specialist Roderich Kiesewetter and Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth Parliamentary State Secretary Michael Brand.
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“Similarly, Taiwan’s future should be decided by a parliament freely elected by the Taiwanese people. This is the democratic choice we support,” he added.
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As long as democratic partners worldwide continue to support Taiwan, it would be able to go from “Taiwan can help” to “Taiwan is supporting,” Tsai said.
Prior to her visit, Tsai said that as a trustworthy member of the international community, Taiwan would continue to stand with Europe and other like-minded countries to demonstrate its commitment to freedom and democracy.
Start by diplomatically recognizing Taiwan - Tell both sides that Germany does not recognize the One China policy as something realistic. Then demand the UN bring Taiwan in as a full member (they wouldn’t get Veto rights on the security console, but they should be equal to New Zealand in everything) .
Nobody will of course, but the above is the right thing and has been for at least 50 years. (really it has been right since WWII, but at least in the early years we can pretend like reunification was a serious idea)
No, that is not the point. Taiwan has to declare its independence first. Then other countries like Germany can recognize that. What Steffen is calling for is that the parliament in Taipei should make the decision whether to declare independence or become a part of communist China.
And I say let Taiwan figure that out. They already have free elections and are more democratic than Germany anyway. They have many reasons to not touch the status Quo right now as does China. Any decision in this regard could escalate into war quickly.