Revival: The Future of Taiwan (1980) by Victor C Li

Author:Victor C Li [Li, Victor C]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781351695626
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Published: 2018-12-20T00:00:00+00:00

F. “It is in China’s interest that Chiang continues to occupy Quemoy and Matsu”.

Lawrence: I want to propose a specific step. If you want unification, the first thing to do is to solve the Quemoy and Matsu question. How? Give these islands back to China. If you favor unification, you should support unifying Quemoy and Matsu with China. You should also support this move if you favor independence. Taiwanese do not think that Quemoy and Matsu are part of Taiwan’s territory. Traditionally, they belong to China. If we do not solve this problem, China can attack these islands and capture 60-70,000 soldiers stationed there, brainwash them, and send them to attack Taiwan.

Vincent: I have quietly advocated for some time the abandonment of Quemoy and Matsu. But it is not a simple matter. It is an emotional issue, just as changing the flag is an emotional issue.

The arguments people in the KMT give for holding on to these two islands are totally unsupportable. They say that these islands will stop a Communist invasion of Taiwan. But Quemoy and Matsu can easily be bypassed; holding on to them will not stop an invasion. They say that these islands are part of Chinese territory, in particular, part of Fukien province. This fact is relevant only if you plan to go back to China. If you do not, then it is an anachronism.

I should add that these islands are only a small part of the larger problem. I would not favor simply giving them up without obtaining something in return, such as an indication that the PRC will take some new direction in its policy toward Taiwan.

I do not agree that if the Taiwan troops on those islands are captured, they will be brainwashed to come back to attack Taiwan.

George: To abandon or withdraw from Quemoy and Matsu is impossible at this time. Such an action will complicate the issue by introducing many new problems. I doubt that withdrawal would adequately serve as a gesture of good will or a show that Taiwan is willing to mind its own business. Peking would not be satisfied by just this one step.

Lawrence: I would like to ask those familiar with the PRC’s position: Is the PRC interested in recovering Quemoy and Matsu?

Charles: The PRC does not see the Quemoy and Matsu problem as isolated from the overall Taiwan problem.

In the late 1950s Chiang was pressured by the Eisenhower Administration to withdraw from these islands in return for an American guarantee of the security of Taiwan. The United States already had a two-China policy of trying to isolate Taiwan from mainland China. Chiang resisted from the very beginning. But the pressure was very great, and finally he had to agree to withdraw. When China heard about this, it helped Chiang to stay by beginning the bombing of Quemoy and Matsu. Chiang then could say to the United States, “Now that China is bombing the islands, we cannot withdraw in the face of pressure.”

It is in China’s interests that Chiang continues to occupy Quemoy and Matsu.

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