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Hillary Clinton Associated Press photo
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is making her first international tour visiting Asia. Taiwan was left off the itinerary yet will no doubt be the subject of discussion on her China stop. While Clinton was busy with her diplomatic travels a group of Taiwan activists drafted the 'Declaration of Formosa'.
A spokesman for the activists, Cheng-Kuang Chen, has sent the declaration to President Barack Obama at the White House. Chen, who is passionately outspoken, urges the United States to act on the Declaration of Formosa.
"We, the people of Formosa at home and abroad, refuse being erroneously labeled as 'Chinese nationalists', petition for our fundamental right of self-determination, and demand that the illegitimate regime of the Republic of China on Taiwan (Formosa) be removed."
"We seek to secure our civil rights, legal protections and due process of law in accordance with the U.S. Constitution, the San Francisco Peace Treaty, the Taiwan Relations Act and the Laws of War."
"The United States, as the Allied leader during World War II, was given effective territorial jurisdiction over Japan and its Pacific islands of Formosa and the Pescadores. The U.S. has acted as the primary protector of these Pacific islands against all external aggressors since 1945. Thus, we petition the United States, as the Occupying Power of former Japanese island territories, to forever remove the currently exiled Republic of China on Taiwan regime for their crimes of systematic murder and oppression on Formosa."
"We seek the United States Military Government to officially establish a unique political entity such as the Formosa Civil Government….We petition that a new Constitution for the Formosa Civil Government be drafted for public comment and be voted into the supreme law of our land, in accordance with the principles of self-determination."
"Our fellow Formosans are peace-seeking freedom lovers. The Formosan people deserve a free, secure and democratic future, without fear of political oppression. Formosan citizens are eager to bring and maintain peace, stability and prosperity to the Western Pacific region."
"Together, we solemnly hope for the Formosa Republic!"
Chen adds a footnote to the Declaration. "Throughout history, Taiwan has been labeled with many inaccurate names: The Republic of China on Taiwan, Chinese Taipei, Taipei China, TPKM, even the worst, Taiwan China, and the Taiwan region, etc. That is why we insist on using Formosa. Formosa the beautiful."
A pending lawsuit, Roger C.S. Lin, et al vs. United States, seeks a judicial declaration that Taiwan is a protectorate of the United States under terms of the San Francisco Peace Treaty that ended World War II between the U.S. and Japan. Oral arguments before the District of Columbia U.S. Court of Appeals were heard earlier this month. No date for a decision has been announced.
Comments
Declaration of Formosa express the voices of millions of Formosans inside the island of Taiwan and abroad,thanks to fearless Taiwanese Chen and others Taiwanese,devoting his life to work hard in this Declaration,can compare with Declaration of Independence in Philodephia in 1776,
Salute to Journalist Mr.Michael Richardson's powerful,justiceful reports
in Boston Progressive Examiner.
It will be documented in History for this meaningful moment,
Today, 02-17-2009
God Bless America.
God Bless Formosa Republic
Thank you, Michael!
I wonder President Barack Obama understand what the United States has been doing to the Taiwanese.
What will he do if he knows the Taiwanese have been very much suffered from the inhuman policy of the United States over the past 60 years and more? Will he do nothing? And, what would Lincoln do?
While maybe thousands of islanders used to support the so-called Declaration of Formosa, this group is losing its hardcore base fast. The people who currently live in the island are very much disgusted by the corruptions and manipulations from the ex-president and his cohorts, few if not all pro-independence fundamentalists. Many used to sympathize with their ideologies and philosophies, but not anymore. Our fervent wish and support is now a long-term peace treaty between Taiwan and mainland governments. Most of us abhor the idea of unification, but we also detest your way of independence. Furthermore, I DO NOT call myself Formosan, and I know very few Taiwanese would call themselves such. Formosa is a beautiful name for the island, but it was a name given by the Portuguese conquerors hundreds years ago. If some wish to bear the name associated with the stigma of colonization, I respect their decision. But, I’m definitely proud of calling myself “TAIWANESE.”
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. The name Formosa did indeed come from a Portuguese ship captain in 1544 because of the island's beauty. However, the island did not come under colonial subjegation until 1624 when the Dutch brought 'workers' to the island. While Formosa is of European origin it is not the name given by the colonial invaders. Taiwan comes from Sirayan, one of the native languages of the island.
Wonderful articl. I don't know did Mr. Chen read "The Audacity of Hope" before draft the "Declaration"? On page 260 (about race and immigration) Obama says, "There is presented below an overview of the diplomatic gains and losses of the two rivals, followed by a descriptive analysis of the international community’s attitude towards Peking’s claim of sovereignty over Taiwan." Mr. Chen's article should serve as an answer to Obama's question.
By the way about Oopsy Daisy's comment. Wake up, Chinese (both KMT and Commy) will not let Taiwan stay peacefully. Corruption happens to every regime. KMT has been much worse for how many decades? Peace won't be cheap. We need to fight to get it. Good luck to Taiwan.
Sorry, I copied a wrong quote from "The Audacity of Hope". This is the correct sentence on page 260:
"“As a senator, I receive countless invitations to address these newest Americans, where I am often quizzed on my foreign policy views—where do I stand on Cyprus, say, or the future of Taiwan?”
Hi, Oopsy_Daisy,
If Taiwan volunteers, and gets the legal approval from the United States, to surrender itself to China, then the peace treaty between Taiwan and China is definitely possible.
But I never cheat myself and China can never cheat me because the lesson from the Tibet massacre is just enough. For China, a peace treaty is merely a document to trap Taiwan if the United States keeps on overlooking her obligations over Taiwan under the San Francisco Peace Treaty and the Constitution. The peace in the region of the Straight is nothing but nonsense-talking under such circumstances.
The attitude of the United States over Taiwan status is the key, the only key toward peace in the region.
US State Department has already told the court that Taiwan sovereignty does not belong to USA and that is the power of the executive branch.
Taiwan was returned to China by the Cairo Declaration 1943. The Japanese Instrument of surrender pledged to implement it.
1. Cairo Declaration was released in 1943 without signature, while the San Francisco Peace Treaty has been a legal document with signature by 46 nations since 1951.
2. Truman's Korean War Statement was announced In June 27, 1950, by President Harry S. Truman. It said, “…will see that this is done. The determination of the future status of Formosa must await the restoration of security in the Pacific, a peace settlement with Japan, or consideration by the United Nations.”
3. Following the strong request by the PRC, the United Nations addressed to the People's Republic of China the opportunity to provide evidence and justification for its own view against the future status of Formosa stated in the Truman's Korean War Statement. In September 29, 1950 the UN Security Council passed a resolution agreeing to allow the PRC nine-member delegation headed by Mr. Wu Xiuquan with its so-called "substantial facts and sufficient evidence" to complain the status of Taiwan in the Truman's Korean War Statement. in the United Nations forums from November 28 through December 15 in New York.
After a detailed investigation, trial, and debate, the United Nations finally decided that there was not sufficient reason to adopt the views of the PRC, and the resolution recognized "the status of Taiwan is undetermined."
4. The remark that Taiwan is a part of China is just kind of bluff. Well, the Chinese government may still insist that Taiwan is a part of China, and I wonder whether it will argue someday that the earth is a part of China!
www.hi-on.org.tw/bulletins.jsp?b_ID=114543
The teardrops of the alligator Ma.
Ma Ying-jeou, on a TV interview on Nov. 18, 2011, finally confessed that he met the gangster in Sept. 20, 2009 the exact same day when he joined the public memorial for the victims of Kobayashi village in Kaohsiung County, Taiwan.
AND THERE'S MUCH MORE.
My dear, why in the democratic world, especially in Taiwan, there exists such a person like THIS MAN?
Remarks:
Kobayashi village was completely destroyed in Aug 8, 2009 by typhoon Morak; 500 person were killed in the disaster.
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