Joseph Nye: ECFA Best Example of President Ma’s Soft Power

Joseph Nye: ECFA Best Example of President Ma’s Soft Power

Source：United Daily News

December 8, 2010

Dr. Joseph Nye, one the ten most influential international relations scholars in the U.S., has been invited to deliver a speech in Taiwan today. Dr. Nye granted an interview yesterday to the United Daily News, stating that in the past two years, Taiwan had wisely used both soft power and hard power to improve cross-Strait relations and Taiwan’s international standing.

Nye praised in particular the cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), which was signed last June, calling it “a crucial step taken by President Ma Ying-jeou” and “the best example of soft power.” He also said the ECFA was most definitely in Taiwan’s best interests. However, Nye also noted that the ECFA had been opposed by some circles of the society, but a wise leader would take care to handle their concerns appropriately.

In addition, Nye said that arms purchases from the U.S. were no longer the only chip Taiwan could use to negotiate with Mainland China. Nye went on to say that “soft power is the ultimate tool to solve this problem.” For example, Taiwan’s democratic values and free market were not only applauded by Western countries, but would “also attract the younger generation in the Mainland,” said Nye, adding that this was the subtle aspect of soft power and why it was more effective in solving problems than hard power.

Nye stated that he believed that as yet the Mainland-based People's Liberation Army (PLA) was not capable of easily taking Taiwan. He continued by saying that Washington’s objective in selling defensive weaponry to Taiwan was to give Taiwan more bargaining chips to negotiate with the Mainland, adding that military force was naturally the last resort when Taiwan possessed better bargaining terms.

In addition, Nye said that while Taiwan continued to purchase more defensive weaponry, it had at the same time launched a peaceful dialogue with the Mainland. He said this was the best example of what he meant by “smart power.”  Now that a dialogue had been launched on cross-Strait economic issues, Nye said that he hoped the two sides of the Strait could also start a good dialogue on political issues. Moreover, Nye stated that although Beijing would not allow Taiwan to have sovereignty, “Taiwan should at least strive for it; at least it should have its own voice in the international community.”

On the other hand, Nye stated that “Beijing should allow Taiwan have its own international space,” adding that this might take a period of time, but through a process of negotiations and consultations, Taiwan should be able to achieve this goal. Any concerns that the U.S. would turn its back on Taiwan because of its improved relations with the Mainland were completely misplaced, Nye added. He concluded by saying that Taiwan had fought for and won a place on the international stage because of its wise use of soft power (i.e., cultural and economic exchanges) over the recent years.

【Editor’s Note】From the Republic of China’s (R.O.C.) perspective, Taiwan is just one part of the R.O.C., so Taiwan cannot be said to have sovereignty in and of itself. Currently, the two sides of the Strait interact based on the “1992 Consensus,” meaning “one China, different interpretations.” For us, “One China” refers the Republic of China.

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