Taiwan’s Fight for Freedom
Throughout the history of the world, the struggle for independence has emerged as an ever-present issue, the time, place, and population being the only indicator that the problem is not simply the same issue repeating itself. KUNA brings awareness to reoccurring problems such as this that affect not only one country, but many. At this year’s KUNA 2, STEAM Academy is representing the country of Taiwan. Taiwan has been under the rule of China since the 1940’s, and their KUNA resolution sponsors are proposing a step toward sovereignty.
As Shamik Chandrachood, representing Taiwan this year as a resolution sponsor, expressed in an interview, Taiwan has never been truly independent. Taiwanese aborigines were taken over by Dutch settlers in the 1600’s after several years of consistent competition between other interested countries and the indigenous population. Over centuries of conflict, Taiwan went from Dutch to Qing to Japanese to under the rule of the Republic of China today. In 1971, the United Nations ejected Taiwan. The KUNA Taiwan representatives are aiming to establish Taiwan’s independence and therefore preserve their culture, while concurrently striving toward increased neutrality between Taiwan and the Republic of China, by proposing a resolution that requests the reestablishment of Taiwan’s United Nations membership.
“Reclamation of Taiwanese UN seat and liberation from China” reads the title of KUNA Resolution # 65, sponsored by Taiwan. This resolution has good intentions, simple implementation, little to no cost, and virtually no negative repercussions, but it continues to be defeated. Why? A possible answer could be that Taiwan as a country is not struggling on the surface. Other nations see Taiwan’s impressive unemployment rate at only 3.7% as of 2018, and the fact that they are the 7th largest economy in Asia, and these data are certainly commendable. Taiwan’s government has persistently pushed an agenda of self-improvement, passing legislation on issues such as environmental preservation, pollution control and prevention, food and health regulations, animal cruelty prevention, and human trafficking. “Taiwan has gone above and beyond, around the moon 6,000 times, with no aid from anyone,” states Chandrachood.
It is no surprise that Sara Luckett and Brooke Hardin reported in an interview that when they were resolution sponsors for Taiwan KUNA 2016, they “could hardly find anything problems to do a resolution on.” Taiwan seems to be alright without the help of the United Nations, yet the KUNA resolutions sponsored by Taiwan have been similar versions of Resolution #65 for at least the past two years. Why would joining the UN be such a significant hurdle to overcome when it seems so unnecessary?
The answer is simple: to improve inter-country relationships and treat Taiwan and its people with the respect it deserves. It is important to note that previous resolutions resembling Resolution #65 sponsored by Taiwan KUNA 2018 have been defeated. When asked why they would try again if their resolution was viewed as unnecessary, Chandrachood explains that although Taiwan would not be improved on a grand, extravagant, visually seen scale, it would help them and that Taiwan not only seeks to improve itself, but to also extend its aid, knowledge, and resources to other countries. A recent poll indicates that 93.5 ±0.5 percent of the general population of Taiwan (determined by a random sample) would support the obtainment of independence from China, and reports show that the newer generations are more actively pursuing this freedom and supporting resolutions like Resolution #65. Taiwan is attempting to expand global diplomacy already in the nearly passed 2018 United States travel bill between the two countries, igniting anger in the Chinese government. Bills such as these could lead to alliances, which benefit both countries. Taiwan can stand isolation no longer. The sponsors say this resolution will improve Taiwan socially, starting new relationships and establishing its role as an independent entity that should be respected like every other country.
“Taiwan would likely be more apt to help because they know what it’s like to hurt,” says Luckett solemnly, bringing the mood of our interview to a more serious conversation. “No-one’s been nice to Taiwan,” states Chandrachood when asked what he wanted to make sure made it into the article. Taiwan not only suggests this resolution to take a step forward to complete independence from China because they want to gain more allies and gain neutrality with China but to stop the unfair treatment they are and have always received from its ruling country. “If it’s not passed this year, whoever has Taiwan next year has to do a similar resolution. This problem has to be solved and this resolution is a perfect solution,” urges Hardin. The sponsors of Resolution #65 say that they are proposing the resolution although its similar predecessors were denied because this time, they are shedding a light on the overlooked oppression of the Taiwanese, whereas before, emotional and moral arguments were not thoroughly explained.
“You have to look at people not as world leaders or delegates, but as humans,” says Chandrachood. Taiwan’s situation is unique. It is a plea for independence. It is an offer of friendship. It is a hope for freedom. Just as the KUNA representatives are stressing, the world must embrace its humanity to stop the cycle of oppression. Stay rational, but remain human.
