The Road to Democracy: Taiwan's Pursuit of Identity

If Taiwan is not a sovereign state, what is it? On an island about the size of the state of West Virginia, Taiwan's people have built a modern industrial democracy. Over the past decade they have produced "twin miracles" of economic development and political reform under the leadership of the author, President Lee Teng-hui of the Republic of China (ROC). President Lee's July 9, 1999 statement on the "special state-to-state relationship" took the world by surprise. As The Road to Democracy: Taiwan's Pursuit of Identity makes clear, however, that pronouncement in no way marked a sudden policy shift, much less a declaration of independence. The Nationalist government leader simply wanted to clarify the relationship and parity of the two sides of Taiwan Strait so that Peking (Beijing) and Taipei can proceed with negotiations on an equal footing. In reality, the People's Republic of China (PRC) has never controlled Taiwan, while the ROC relinquished its authority in the mainland after moving its capital to Taipei in 1949. Taiwan has 22 million people with their own elected government. Its per capita national income of over US$12,000 makes it one of the wealthiest countries in Asia today. Taiwan's economic performance consistently ranks among the top 10 percent in the world in terms of economic growth rate, total GNP, per capital income, science and technology, foreign trade volume, foreign exchange reserves, and capital exports. Yet it is not recognized as a sovereign state by most of the countries of the world, nor is it a member of the United Nations. The major themes in The Road to Democracy are woven around two key terms: Taiwan's "existence" and its "experience." Unless the Republic of China on Taiwan remains in existence, its hard-won democracy and economic prosperity could founder, with serious repercussions in Asia and the world. Hence the importance of its security policy based on the three pillars of American commitment to Taiwan's defense, the ROC’s own military preparedness, and an effective pragmatic diplomacy. The "Taiwan Experience," on the other hand, describes the recent past and the economic, political, and social transformation the country achieved with President Lee as the architect. The author believes that the Taiwan Experience can serve as a model for other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including the PRC. China's reunification will be possible, he argues, not under Peking's one China formula, but only when the Chinese mainland has been transformed into a society as free and democratic as Taiwan is now. More than simply a political statement and argument for pragmatic diplomacy, this book is also an affirmation of Dr. Lee's love for the people and the land of Taiwan. Finally, it is a testament to his belief, supported by his Christian faith, in the ideals of democracy and freedom for all people. LEE TENG-HUI was born in 1923 in a rural community near Taipei, when Taiwan was under Japanese control. He did his undergraduate work in agricultural economics at Kyoto Imperial University and National Taiwan University, and his graduate studies at Iowa State University and Cornell University, receiving a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from the latter in 1968. After teaching at National Taiwan University and serving on government commissions as a specialist on farm policy, he began his political career in 1972, when he was appointed a minister without portfolio. He then served as mayor of Taipei (1978-81), governor of Taiwan province (1981-84), and vice president of the republic (1984-88). Upon the death of President Chiang Ching-kuo in January 1988, Dr. Lee took over the presidency, to which he was formally elected by the National Assembly in 1990. He was sworn in as the first popularly elected president in May 1996 under the revised ROC constitution. President Lee is a Christian and author of numerous books and article on economics, public policy, and religion.