Central to the issue of PRC/ROC reunification...
Progress in commerce between the two countries appears a good probability, but what Taiwan wants most from the mainland is more democratic reform.
From Taiwan (story summary)
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Recently the U.S. magazine Foreign Affairs published an article saying China is now achieving political reform at a pace similar to its high-speed economic reforms. But reforming the structure of the government does not necessarily mean a democratization of the entire system, as some try to indicate.
Real political reform must bring about high political standards, determine exactly the competence of all departments and increase political participation.
The first reform was carried out by Deng Xiaoping, who re-established government structures after the excesses of the Cultural Revolution. Deng understood that the party is a threat to the government. His goal, though, was not to democratize the system but to protect it from leftist abuses.
The real way to democratize the system is to raise the power of the National People's Congress -- China's parliament -- and reinforce the judicial system. The example of the former Soviet Union is clear. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev failed to reform the constitution or give real power to the parliament, and as a result, the whole system collapsed.
By refusing to give enlarged power to the National People's Congress, and by delaying reform of the judicial system, Chinese leaders are undergoing a cosmetic reform which is unlikely to carry out real democratic changes in the country. |
