This is what a real president looks like. As an American, I was so inspired by how openly President Tsai was able to apologize to people who are still so badly treated. Compare her to our own two presidential nominees. I can’t imagine either Trump or Clinton coming close to this level of sincere humility. Trump would never even acknowledge the existence of his racism towards African-Americans, Latinos, and Muslims, let alone apologize. Seeing someone with so much power still have equal respect towards everyone gives me hope for a brighter American future. Yes, we are a great nation, but we still could afford to learn a few things from other countries.
4
This is little more than optics for Ms. Tsai. The DPP's base is largely made up of rural Taiwanese nationalists, no different than the country conservatives that are despised on the NYT. Their urban "liberal" youth base is much smaller by comparison. The two are united out of fear of the mainland.
Yes, the KMT takeover of Taiwan was brutal. But it was this brutality and heavy handed authoritarianism that transformed Taiwan into an economically prosperous country. Prior to it, it was a backwards hinterland, both before and after Chinese settlement. The same reasoning applies to the PRC today.
The modern Taiwanese youth have grown lax and complacent, and find it easy to bash the achievements of their fathers merely to make themselves feel morally superior.
Yes, the KMT takeover of Taiwan was brutal. But it was this brutality and heavy handed authoritarianism that transformed Taiwan into an economically prosperous country. Prior to it, it was a backwards hinterland, both before and after Chinese settlement. The same reasoning applies to the PRC today.
The modern Taiwanese youth have grown lax and complacent, and find it easy to bash the achievements of their fathers merely to make themselves feel morally superior.
2
KMT had set Taiwan's development backward for decades through its corruption and single-minded "retake the mainland" fantasy. Taiwan was only as a temporary base for the fantasy of re-conquering China. The high inflation, not unlike that of German's, was rampant, the government monopolized even the grain and sugar trades. It was the American aid, more than $1 billion at that time, amounted to more than 40% of investment and over 90% of external capital flow and donations. Military aids freed resource from otherwise intolerable heavy defense expenditure. (see David Chang, "US Aid and Economic Development in Taiwan). And these aids were eroded by massive corruption in the KMT government. In the late 1960's and 1970's, despite of many government restrictions, limits of capital flow and blackmails by levels of bureaucracy, Taiwanese small businessmen pioneered and opened overseas markets for Taiwan. These Taiwanese small businessmen were the initiators of the take-off of Taiwan's economy, eventually became one of the economical miracles of Asia Tigers. Then the democracy miracle happens after years of sacrifice and struggles of Taiwanese people against KMT's authoritarian rule. The Taiwanese youth have enjoyed the democracy and seen the utmost failure of the "one country, two systems" lies of the PRC in HongKong. They would never give up hard earned freedom by their forefathers.
Without KMT, Taiwan could have the economic and democracy miracles even earlier than Japan's.
Without KMT, Taiwan could have the economic and democracy miracles even earlier than Japan's.
2
This comment does not ring true. The foundation for Taiwan's industrial miracle of the 1960s and 1970s was laid by the Japanese. The KMT merely took up where the Japanese were forced to leave off.
The "brutality leads to development" thesis to which you subscribe hardly seems compelling. If brutality were truly the way to development, how do you account for the technological leaps that occurred in democracies such as Great Britain, the United States, France and other countries in the late 19th C? How do you explain the defeat of the brutal authoritarianism that dominated Wihelmine and Nazi Germany? Or the failure of the brutal authoritarianism of the Soviet Union?
The "brutality leads to development" thesis to which you subscribe hardly seems compelling. If brutality were truly the way to development, how do you account for the technological leaps that occurred in democracies such as Great Britain, the United States, France and other countries in the late 19th C? How do you explain the defeat of the brutal authoritarianism that dominated Wihelmine and Nazi Germany? Or the failure of the brutal authoritarianism of the Soviet Union?
1
Courageous, inspiring, Ms. Tsai is setting the bar for the democratic leaders of China. When they come into office, they will have to ask forgiveness for the Tiananmen Massacre, the crimes of the Cultural Revolution, and the mass starvation caused by the Great Leap Forward. However, since thay themselves have been jailed and mistreated there will be no need for apology.
8
Taiwan's economy is doing worse and worse and the president is playing identity politics to shore up support. The biggest non-political news out of Taiwan this year is the break up of multiple Taiwanese scam groups operating in Africa and South East Asia targeting mainland Chinese and the deliberate fire bombing of a tour bus that killed 24 mainland tourists.
4
So, she deserves no credit at all, then, for offering an apology to the indigenous peoples of Taiwan? A rather harsh judgement (and quite off-base, in my view).
It takes a real Taiwanese (not Chinese) president of Taiwan to make apology to the First People of Taiwan. Former president Ma Ying-jiu had refused to make apology while he was the Chinese president of Taiwan. It was also take a Taiwanese president Lee Teng-hui to make apology for the 228 incidence and subsequent March massacre and nearly a half century of oppressive martial law rule imposed by the Nationalist Chinese (of the KMT party) who fled China and occupied Taiwan in 1945. It's cruel, corruptive and oppressive totalitarian rule caused the Taiwanese to rebel. But, at the end, about 30,000 (1/6 of then population of Taiwan) were murdered by the Nationalist Chinese (Republic of China). It is the "228" incidence as it began on Feb. 28, 1947. It was followed by the March Massacre. Then the "White Terror" decades followed with numerous Taiwanese imprisoned for speaking out against the dictatorship of Chiang Kai-Shek and his son/successor Chiang Ching-kuo. Lee Teng-hui's apology was not followed up by KMT with any degree of sincerity. KMT continues to cover up the truth of 228, Ma refused to apologize as the president of the "Republic of China", and KMT continues its anti-Taiwan/pro-China policies.
I am confident that President Tsai's apology is genuine (it's has been her party, DPP's policy) and she will follow up to make amend for the past injustice done to the First People of Taiwan.
I am confident that President Tsai's apology is genuine (it's has been her party, DPP's policy) and she will follow up to make amend for the past injustice done to the First People of Taiwan.
14
She should apologize. Since it was the real "Taiwanese" people that hurt the native people of Taiwan. It was they who were the first Han people that occupied Taiwan. Subsequent government wasn't any better. But why did the real "Taiwanese" wait so long? It is nothing more then a political move on her part. And that's what make me question her sincerity.
Also the real "Taiwanese" are these native people.
As for the 228 incident, it is really tragic and the government should apologized for it. There is no excuse. But don't group the two together. Both main-lander (after 1945) and earlier Han Taiwanese (17th century) settlers did harm to the native people of Taiwan.
Also the real "Taiwanese" are these native people.
As for the 228 incident, it is really tragic and the government should apologized for it. There is no excuse. But don't group the two together. Both main-lander (after 1945) and earlier Han Taiwanese (17th century) settlers did harm to the native people of Taiwan.
1
Kudos to Ms. Tsai. We (US govt and governors of all 50 states) need to apologize to African Americans and all whose lives and families have been affected by the legacy of slavery. Heartfelt apologies, even when brokered, deliberate, and staged, are often welcome by those who have been abused, mistreated, and worse. The apologies do not undo the sins of the fathers and should not be considered a guilt-offering.The US govt and the state govts should not apologize to make themselves feel better. They should apologize to send a message to the next generations that they need to do better than we have. An apology from the President and all 50 governors will help. Will Hillary step up?
11
Why did you go to the apology for slavery and not start with the apology for Native genocide and colonization? Our national silence on this is a disgrace. We should talk about slavery and on-going racism, but the original sin on this land was genocide and racism against indigenous people.
12
The honest answers? 2 reasons:1) I frankly think the government is more prepared to apologize for slavery than genocide. As I said, such an apology would be brokered, meaning that some arm twisting would be required to get all governors aboard. A brokered apology is far more likely to be offered for slavery than colonization (let alone genocide), 2) although we can debate whether colonization or slavery has done more harm to more Americans, my view is that slavery's legacy is vastly more malignant. In theory, we can apologize for both -- colonization and slavery. But the reality is that this country is not going to offer a meaningful, heartfelt apology for "genocide". Not in my lifetime, anyway. And finally. Apologies for genocide are always hollow anyway. Moreover, such apologies typically help the guilty more than the harmed. At least, that's been my personal experience.
2
I can remember growing up hearing that we should "unleash Chiang Kai-shek". He and his Kuomintang government of Taiwan were presented as lovers of freedom and democracy, and would re-take China if we would just let them. They were, of course, anti-communist not because they loved democracy, but because the communists cost them their kleptocratic control of China's wealth. They imposed their dictatorship on Taiwan, and we were taught that they were heroes.
15
This is a positive step in the right direction. There is still a lot of work to be done, but today, I am proud to be Taiwanese and proud of President Tsai.
15
It is wrongly stated in the article that "Taiwan's earliest known residents are believed to have come to the island ...... from Southeast Asian ......". Actually it is believed that Austronesian people originated from now southeast mainland China, the 1st rice planters.
5
This is an encouraging report; maybe mainland Chinese Communist Party leaders will be inspired to treat their non-Han indigenous people with respect also; pay some reparations, etc. especially to Tibetans; maybe allow some cultural distinction, political independence.
8
There are more than 50 minority classifications in China (54?) and this is one area where the government has moved in a positive direction by creating autonomous districts and adding bonus points to students gaokao scores to boost college placement – China’s affirmatives action. Only one parent need be minority to qualify.
Xizang (Tibet) and Xinjiang raise other issues of Nationalist identity and intolerance well known.
Xizang (Tibet) and Xinjiang raise other issues of Nationalist identity and intolerance well known.
4
On topic of minorities in China should add during the One-Child policy minorities were exempt and two children not uncommon.
China is far more diverse than most realize. In addition to the dominant Han, China has many ethnic groups such as the Zhuang, Hui, Manchu, Uighur, Tibetan, Miao, and Mongol, whose higher birthrates make them a growing percentage of the population (though still barely 10 percent).
China is far more diverse than most realize. In addition to the dominant Han, China has many ethnic groups such as the Zhuang, Hui, Manchu, Uighur, Tibetan, Miao, and Mongol, whose higher birthrates make them a growing percentage of the population (though still barely 10 percent).
3
This is an important step, that should be followed the world over. It resonates with the promise to 'leave no one behind' that all governments of the world signed up to with the SDGs, 17 Sustainable Development Goals, at the United Nations last december. Reconciliation, recognition and remembering that all people on earth are One World Family, will bring peace and a new planetary life spirit back. This our only hope in our times of global climate change crisis.
5
I am far from Taiwan, but read this article with relief and hope. Ms. Tsai took a bold step in being willing to lead her nation in an apology -- publicly acknowledging that a wrong had been done. I hope that many positive steps will follow.
11
"点击查看本文中文版"
Since this is about Taiwan, it'd be great if the Chinese version available were in traditional Chinese (i.e. used in Taiwan), not simplified Chinese used in China.
Since this is about Taiwan, it'd be great if the Chinese version available were in traditional Chinese (i.e. used in Taiwan), not simplified Chinese used in China.
9
I strongly applaud President Tsai for having the humility to confront past injustices. This will certainly improve relations between the Han and the indigenous people. President Tsai is turning out to be a true leader.
If the leadership in Mainland China could be 1/10th the MAN that President Tsai is, it would be a good start.
If the leadership in Mainland China could be 1/10th the MAN that President Tsai is, it would be a good start.
13
That is bad, boasting Tsai won’t help to brand her populism in Mainland China. Tsai want to Taiwan as an independent country. She is good at fomenting the public enthusiasm for defending the so called freedom and liberty, but not good at solving real problems. Taiwan needs a down-to-earth leader, not a demoguguer.
1
In what way is President Tsai a 'demoguguer'?
It would seem more accurate to suggest the Xi of the PRC is a demagogue, would it not?
It would seem more accurate to suggest the Xi of the PRC is a demagogue, would it not?
1
Good for her for recognizing and acknowledging poor treatment of the original peoples.
If only the US could would do that.
It might go a long way toward healing.
Americans believe that acknowledging past injustice is somehow is divisive.
No, acknowledging past injustice allows peoples to move on.
Think of it this way, ever moved on from a bad relationship, but you wish the other person would acknowledge they treated you poorly? Somehow you need that to completely move on. It's human nature.
If only the US could would do that.
It might go a long way toward healing.
Americans believe that acknowledging past injustice is somehow is divisive.
No, acknowledging past injustice allows peoples to move on.
Think of it this way, ever moved on from a bad relationship, but you wish the other person would acknowledge they treated you poorly? Somehow you need that to completely move on. It's human nature.
7
Apologies, and admission of wrongs done, are incredibly important and indeed the only way to move past former injustice. America needs to look to President Tsai Ing-wen and Taiwan and once and for all make a formal apology for slavery in this country. Just do it. It's the only way we can begin to heal as a nation.
9
We too have a native population, or what is left of them, who fared even worse than slaves in being of “no commercial value.” Many apologies in order for American History
1
Apology is important, there are so many long overdue apologies to be made all across the world, but can apologies make a huge difference to make our world better? Japanese governernment never apologies for its invasion of China and bruatality toward Chinese people,Bush families aiministration never apology for the ward they wanged. Also, Americans in general own a big apology for its mistreatment of indigenous Indianians. Apologies, though indispensable, can’t make the world better.
If ever there was a case for reparations there is one that the US government owes to its indigenous people. Because of the recognition Indians as a separate governing entity in our constitution, the treaties and violations of treaties continue to be done in the name of the American people.
This is one of the great unaddressed moral issues of our time and yet, never even a suggestion of any change in policy during the election season. We profess to be a Christian nation and have one of the highest levels of belief in God of any western nation. But we seem incapable of applying the most basic Christian principle of restitution to our native brothers and sisters. Even today our courts deny Indian land claims not because the law isn't on the side of the Indian, but because to recognize their claim would be too disruptive for white people. See the decision on the Onandoga case out New York from a few years ago. This is a moral issue more than a legal one and we can't even get the legal one right.