Discussing tranquility at this moment?
In a world market where peace is often invoked but seldom pursued, Taiwan stands as a beacon of resilience and determination. The island nation, known for its semiconductors, digital trust infrastructure, and civil society built on education, culture, and democracy, is learning that peace is not a naive prayer, but a strategic move.
The strategy of peace, if executed correctly, can buy space and time for international support, strengthen defenses, and prevent accidental conflict. This was evident in the deliberate, layered peace strategies of leaders like F.W. de Klerk in South Africa, who freed Nelson Mandela, lifted bans, ended oppression, and chose reconciliation.
However, the path to peace is not without its challenges. In Taiwan, those who advocate for dialogue are often labeled as "pro-China" or "selling out Taiwan." The common responses to peace discussions are: "You want peace? Tell China," or "China will never give peace, so talking about it is naive."
Yet, Taiwan's resilience can be a weapon for dialogue, persuasion, and trust-building, even with China's leaders and people. Lung Ying-tai, a writer, essayist, and cultural critic in Taiwan, who served as the nation's first culture minister from 2012 to 2014, emphasizes this point. She believes that Taiwan can be more than a victim; it can be a contributor to civilization and a generator of new visions of peace.
The logic that war is entirely China's responsibility and only China can decide peace strips Taiwan of agency. Taiwan must chart its own path for peace, regardless of China's stance. Taiwanese President William Lai has made it clear that the peace they want is achieved through strength, emphasizing the importance of strengthening defense capabilities to safeguard national sovereignty and democracy.
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for the acceleration of building a world-class market and the resolution of safeguarding national sovereignty, contributing to world peace and development. The messages from Xi and Lai about peace differ, with Xi focusing on a world-class military and Lai on defense capabilities.
History honours not those who start wars, but those who end them. The lessons of the past, from the handshake between Charles de Gaulle and Konrad Adenauer in a cathedral in Reims, marking the beginning of peace after a century of hatred and three wars, to the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, which allowed people to choose identity and citizenship, leading to the laying down of weapons, serve as reminders that peace is a strategy, not a naive prayer.
Real peace begins with humility, as demonstrated by former West German chancellor Willy Brandt's kneeling to take responsibility for war and reset ties with Eastern Europe. Soft gestures, such as kneeling, clapping hands, and releasing, are stronger than armies, as they prevent isolation, economic drag, social fracture, and cycles of revenge.
In today's tense world news, leaders often invoke "peace" but are really talking about war. Peace requires restraint, empathy, compromise, and foresight. War inflames fear, fury, honor, and patriotism, while peace requires the courage to step back and choose understanding over aggression.
Former Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was a general turned statesman, called for an end to bloodshed inside the Knesset, but was accused of betrayal by opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu. Rabin's assassination by one of his own, and the subsequent return of the region to a manmade hell thirty years later, is a stark reminder of the costs of war and the importance of peace.
In the end, peace is the smartest investment a strong nation can make. The costs of war dwarf the costs of peace, and the burden of peace falls first on the powerful. Peace is not charity or concession - it is the smartest investment a strong nation can make.
As Taiwan navigates its path towards peace, it is crucial to remember that peace is a strategy, not a naive prayer. It is a choice that requires courage, humility, and a willingness to compromise. It is a choice that can lead to a brighter future for Taiwan and the world.
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