Sir, – In his letter (“China and Irish politicians visiting Taiwan”, March 7th), China’s ambassador to Ireland takes the opportunity to dictate to the Irish people and our elected representatives what to think about Taiwan, which they call “China’s Taiwan Province”.
He maintains that the Communist Party of China (CCP) is the sole political authority of both the People’s Republic of China and of Taiwan. I gather they and their government are mistaken.
The political facts on the ground indicate that the people of Taiwan elect their own government, and it is independent, by choice. It’s a principle called self-determination.
The CCP may not like it, but this principle is of existential importance to the Taiwanese as it is to us. And should our elected officials choose to visit Taiwan, and experience the entirely legitimate incarnation of Chinese culture and political organisation that has prospered there, well, that is a matter between the people of Ireland and our prospective hosts.
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Indeed, afterwards we can on both islands look forward to a frank and transparent account of the events in our free press. – Yours, etc,
CONOR MEADE,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.
Sir, – In response to the letter from Chinese ambassador Zhao Xiyuan, it would appear that the ambassador does not understand the difference between “the Government” and “members of the Houses of the Oireachtas” and that in a democracy several different viewpoints can coexist.
And while he may be unconsciously applying China’s authoritarian ideology to Ireland’s political system, he would also appear to have overlooked the often touted Chinese Communist Party (CCP) mantra that China never interferes in other countries’ internal affairs.
Furthermore, while the CCP may claim Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, the People’s Republic of China has never occupied or controlled Taiwan for even a second in its entire existence.
Taiwan today operates as a free and open democracy, with its own elected government, military, currency and passport. It controls its own borders and immigration system, and Irish citizens – including elected representatives – can travel there visa-free without seeking permission from Beijing. In practice, Taiwan governs itself and maintains extensive relations with democratic countries around the world through trade, cultural exchange and parliamentary visits.
Ireland, of all countries, understands the difference between political claims and lived political reality. Both Taiwan and Ireland have experienced periods of foreign rule in their histories – yet today both stand as independent democracies. – Yours, etc,
NEIL O’SULLIVAN,
Listowel,
Co Kerry.
