Discussing tranquility straightforwardly
In a thought-provoking article published in Taipei Times on September 18, 2021, former Minister of Culture in Taiwan, Lung Ying-tai, questioned the need for peace talks, suggesting an open letter that emphasises humility, empathy, and the gentle force of moral appeal.
The open letter, however, does not appear to be written by Lung Ying-tai at the time of the article. Instead, it is proposed as a call to action, urging China to try a little democracy, the kind Taiwan enjoys every day, the kind worth protecting.
Lung Ying-tai invokes historical figures to show how peace begins with gestures of release and empathy. However, she does not specify who should make these gestures in the current context.
The open letter also highlights that unification is a dream, but not solely China's to dictate. Lung Ying-tai asks about whose peace she is discussing and what price Taiwan is willing to pay for it, implying a potential surrender for peace.
The article also suggests that Lung Ying-tai's writing style may be criticized for being elusive and obscuring moral clarity. Retired businessman from Hong Kong, John Cheng, seems to call for a more direct approach, suggesting that Lung Ying-tai should write an open letter to Xi Jinping and the Chinese people.
Lung Ying-tai's writing style is described as elegant, but she is criticized for drawing a moral equivalence between Chinese President Xi Jinping and William Lai, without acknowledging the moral asymmetry between the two leaders.
The article implies that the world is crying out for clarity, courage, and moral honesty in dealing with the aggressor. Lung Ying-tai romanticizes Taiwan's soft power, but does not provide details on how it can be used to prevent a worst outcome.
The suggested open letter would also urge China to lay down threats and pick up peace. It would emphasize that the future of the relationship depends on the will of 23 million Taiwanese. The open letter, if written, could potentially serve as a powerful symbol of hope for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing tensions.
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