Foreign Minister Aso echoed this theme with respect to Sino-Japanese relations in a 13 March 2006 op-ed in the Wall Street Journal entitled "Japan Awaits a
Democratic China".
In fact, Niou finds that over a quarter of the respondents are willing to accept either peaceful independence or unification with a prosperous and
democratic China. This clearly suggests that a peaceful solution to the cross-Strait tensions is more important to the citizens of Taiwan than are questions of national identity.
He says a
democratic China "will ultimately come into existence, ending the dream of a Chinese empire.
These two outcomes are not necessarily mutually exclusive--a more
democratic China will only be less militant if current nationalism is little more than a guise for a repressed desire for political freedoms and frustration at the Government.
If engagement succeeds, the United States can work with a wealthy and
democratic China to promote peace around the globe.
Then and since, Chen has reiterated his willingness to meet with the PRC leadership anywhere, any time, and discuss any topic, including the question of Taiwan's current relationship with the PRC and possible political integration with a future
democratic China.
Even a
democratic China would have national interests that conflicted with American ones.
''With our deep grief and indignation, with our inspiring singing, we have been commemorating the martyrs far apart in heaven; reiterating our pledge that the pro-democracy activists be released; that the verdict on the 1989 pro-democracy movement be reversed; that the liability for the massacre be investigated; that one-party dictatorship be ended; and that a
democratic China be constructed,'' the vigil's declaration said.
Taiwan may not get what it wants in the initial negotiations, but if it sticks around, it will eventually be part of a
democratic China.
In particular, today, besides the American, there are many other committed backers to the cause of 'democracy', such as the bulging army of French, Australians, British Hong Kong colonials and Canadians, all aspiring world-class democrats, who clearly see the benefit of being on board this timely crusade and who are just itching to share centre stage with the Americans in assuming the role of chief gurus to, and major deal-makers in, the New
Democratic China a la Pax Americana which is just around the corner.
Last September, on the campus of the Sorbonne in Paris, leaders of China's exiled dissident movement gathered amid pomp and hoopla for the founding ceremony of the Front for
Democratic China. The dignitaries in attendance included officials of the European Economic Community, representatives of major European political parties, envoys from Poland's Solidarity, even the movie star Yves Montand.
Build a
democratic China!'' the placard-wielding protesters marched in central Hong Kong as part of annual memorial events organized by the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements.
Chinese people and Chinese-born scholars share an interest in exploring the possibilities of a
democratic China. A cursory review of recent English publications, let alone Chinese works, reveals that Chinese-born scholars have published much on the issue (e.g., He 1996, 1997; Hu 2000; Zhao 2000).
But it has invited a number of local government leaders and lawmakers from the KMT and other opposition parties, which support eventual unification with a
democratic China.
