NEW YORK -- Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's posture toward China has undergone a significant change recently -- from showing infinite good will to proclaiming that Taiwan is an independent sovereign state and that Taiwan's future should be determined by the people of Taiwan. He now supports legislation authorizing a referendum to decide the island's future. Chen's new posture will surely anger China.
Chen's shift has been forced by China's unceasing hostility toward Taiwan. Since assuming office two years ago, Chen has consistently shown good will toward Beijing, pledging that, if China abandoned its military threat, Taiwan would not declare independence or conduct a national referendum while he was in office.
Risking the wrath of pro-independence Taiwanese, he advocated eventual political reunification with China, starting with economic and cultural integration. Pressed by big business, he allowed trade and investment with China, permitting the export of 8-inch computer chip wafer and other high-tech production plants.