| The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan's
Response to the China Christian Council's Statement
24 December 1994
On 2 September 1994, the China
Christian Council (CCC) issued a statement which was sent out to ecumenical churches and
also published the same in the Amity Newsletter (ANS). Among other things, the statement
mistakenly declares that Taiwan is part of China and that advocacy of "Taiwan is
Taiwan, China is China" and "Taiwan should enter the United Nations," is a
betrayal of the overwhelming majority of Taiwan's people. This in fact is simply a
repetition of China's official slogans and, because of these distortions, the Presbyterian
Church in Taiwan (PCT) feels there is a need to refute some of these opinions and clarify
some of the issues.
Based on its Faith, the PCT identifies
with Taiwan and, together with its people, has underwent the painful experiences of
colonial rule. However, in this suffering, it still insists on playing the role of prophet
and watchman. The struggles of the PCT on behalf of Taiwan sovereignty and human rights
has been accepted by Taiwan's people and adopted by them: included among these are "general
elections of all members of the Legislature," "joining the United Nations under
the name Taiwan," "sovereignty of the people" ....etc. Among
these, "Join the United Nations" already has become accepted by an overwhelming
majority and now has strong support on the local level. This kind of respect for the
dignity which God gives to humankind as it struggles for the welfare of the people is not
something which should be distorted or discredited.
People around the world continue to
learn from history. They cast aside tyrannical dictatorships and choose freedom and
democracy to build their own countries free from domination. Taiwan's people are no
exception. People are the masters of a country. The people of Taiwan, according to past
experiences and current realities, have advocated that "Taiwan is Taiwan, and
China is China," and "Taiwan and China are two different sovereign
countries." They have the right to decide their own country's destiny. When
Taiwan's people, through peaceful means, decide their nation's future, we hope the
international community would respect their decision. According to historical fact, the
PRC never has ruled Taiwan. Taiwan absolutely is not part of China, yet the PRC very often
threatens to take Taiwan by force. We not only seek to solidarize Taiwan people to protect
Taiwan, we ask that Taiwan/China problem be settled without force. A peaceful settlement
should be reached through the process of dialogue and coordination. If we do this, we can
promote the welfare of the lives of the people in both countries and promote peace in the
world.
Being a Christian community, we
recognize that Christian solidarity and national unity are not equal terms. Further, we
feel that the differences in national identity should not be an obstacle to Christian
solidarity. So we hope and pray that faith will transcend nationalism. We appreciate the
friendship of ecumenical churches and their support for the struggles of the PCT on moral
grounds and from the standpoint of faith. We also recognize that such kind of support is
an expression of Christian solidarity and not merely of political sympathy. The PCT is
happy to maintain mutual respect for each other's sovereignty, equality, mutual trust with
the CCC. The PCT is happy to march together hand in hand with the CCC in the mission of
the Church, so that the justice, peace, and joy of the Kingdom of God will come on earth.
It is also our hope that the ecumenical churches will become a bridge and a witness of
reconciliation between the PCT and the CCC.
D. S. Chen
Moderator of the General Assembly
C. S. Yang
Secretary-General
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