Two Koreas and two Chinas

By Hu Young-sup

The Republic of China (ROC), now commonly called Taiwan, was established on Jan. 1, 1912, following the Wuchang Revolution that took place on Oct. 10, 1911.

The ROC reaches its 99th birthday on Sunday for the Taiwanese people used to celebrate the 10th of October rather than the 1st of January as their national holiday.

Although the People's Republic of China (PRC) rules the whole continental mainland, it does not claim the Wuchang Revolution as its starting point. The communist PRC, which we generally call China, was proclaimed on Oct. 1, 1949 at the end of the Civil War with the Kuomintang government, which retreated to Taiwan Island later. The Beijing government formally celebrated its 61st anniversary last Friday.

Because of such historical background the two countries could not make friends with each other, but remained as adversaries. China has long waited for the day to reunify with Taiwan, as it did with Hong Kong and Macau, while the Taipei government wants full independence from China’s influence.

Korea has maintained a good relationship with both sides. This country has built up diplomatic ties with China, while maintaining a traditional friendship with Taiwan. Seoul has been benefitting from active economic cooperation with both countries.

What’s remarkable in the three-way cooperation and friendship is that the two long-time rivals of China and Taiwan have begun to cooperate with each other in earnest. They seem to have all but overcome the long-lasting political tension caused by difference in governmental systems and ideologies.

As I see it, the biggest motivation for the Chinese and Taiwanese to hold together is the keen awareness that they are the same people ultimately. And it cannot be denied that the two sides share spiritual and physical elements shown in numerous cultural properties handed over from their ancestors. It is certain they should be like brothers and sisters instead of being enemies to each other.

The cross-strait economic and cultural exchanges have gained noticeable momentum these days. The two-way trade and investment grow steadily, riding on the rapidly increasing cross visits among families separated between the mainland and island. Also showing unusual vigor are the exchange exhibitions of cultural properties.

One of the most conspicuous developments was the decision to let their commercial banks open branches in each other’s side, one bank after another, until early next year. The measure is a follow-up of the economic agreement reached between the two governments last August. Media outlets in both sides trumpeted loudly the ``Era of Chiwan” _ China and Taiwan in one economic entity.

It is true a brawl still divides the Taiwanese people over the possibility that the economic deal might just be a part of China's scheme to bring Taiwan closer to its sphere of influence. China has never recognized the Taiwanese government's legitimacy, claiming Taiwan is just a renegade province under what it calls ``one-country, two-systems,” governance.

Nor has the Taipei government accepted such claims, insisting it is a legitimate and sovereign state. Despite occasional military threats from China at any sign of Taiwan moving closer to independence, the Taipei government has not conceded at all. It seems as if the change of political power in Taiwan worked to somewhat water down such a strong adherence to independence.

I think part of such changes has resulted from the popular consciousness to put their national identity ahead of politics and ideology. And such thinking is expected to help ease tension rapidly between the two sides, one of the long-cherished aspirations of the Taiwanese people. At least the experiment to factor out politics in seeking overall rapprochement seems to have been successful up to now.

This cross-strait thaw comes as a stark contrast to diplomatic deadlock between the two Koreas. Even in better times, the inter-Korean dialogue used to break up in the face of unanticipated accidents. Even if dialogue began, it scarcely led to mutually satisfactory agreements.

South and North Korea barely managed to agree on another reunion event for about 100 families or so in late October, but few can say for sure the two Koreas will be able to turn the stop-and-go events into regular get-togethers of long-separated family members.

Compare this with the number of cross-strait visitors which has already topped 5 million since 2005. All this explains why I have a hunch the Chinas will likely be reunified far earlier than Koreas.

Congratulations on both the 99th anniversary of the Taiwanese government and the 61st birthday of its Chinese counterpart.

The writer is a freelancer living in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province. He may be reached at gracias1234@naver.com.