Christmas finds new religion in China

CONTRAST: The government is happy to let stores cash in on the festive season, but for underground churches it is one of the most risky times of the year

AP , Changsha, China

Wednesday, Dec 24, 2003,Page 5

The Christmas carol Deck the Halls blares over the speakers of the warehouse store as the toddler lunges for a plastic Santa. His mother grabs him by the seat of his pants and hauls him back.

It's a classic Christmas shopping moment in the unlikely setting of central China -- though one that is becoming more common as Chinese, few of whom are Christians, adopt the holiday as a festive shopping season.

But for members of China's unofficial Christian congregations, this is a season of fear as communist authorities crack down on unauthorized worship, detaining activists and bulldozing churches.

"Everyone is scared now. This Christmas will be tougher than usual," said the organizer of an underground church in the eastern city of Hangzhou whose building was destroyed in October. The man asked not to be identified by name.

The sharp contrast between the crackdown and the Christmas festivities highlights Chinese authorities' desire to isolate religious dissenters while exploiting the holiday's commercial potential.

"The central policy of the Communist Party has never shied from good commercial opportunities," said Bob Fu, a US-based monitor of the underground Chinese church.

"They can call it `Christmas with Chinese characteristics,'" Fu said, borrowing the ruling party's language for China's interpretation of such Western concepts as socialism.

China's government allows worship only in government-monitored churches, temples and mosques. But tens of millions of believers belong to unauthorized churches, whose clergy and members are frequently harassed and detained.

Official controls on religion stem from government unease that churches could act as a rallying point for opposition that could threaten communist rule.

Communist leaders barred most religious activity following the 1949 revolution, ordering Chinese to cut ties with fellow believers abroad.

Christianity took root in China about 150 years ago, spread by missionaries accompanying European and American traders who were setting up colonial enclaves along its east coast.

Today, about 15 million Protestants and 10 million Catholics worship in the official churches. Millions more are believed to belong to the unofficial or "house" churches.

The rise of Christmas as a secular bright spot during the bleak Chinese winter has paralleled the rise of capitalist-style economic reforms.

In Shanghai, the country's commercial capital, a 21m-high Christmas tree stands on a stretch of Nanjing West Road that is dotted with boutiques for Gucci, Versace and other expensive foreign designer brands.

In an echo of American tradition, several shopping centers are advertising visits by Santa Claus. Another promises a "red-nosed clown special holiday."

Such marketing has spread inland to Changsha, an industrial center along the Yangtze river, where Christmas carols are piped through the Trust Mart discount store and ribbons, wreathes and fake snow adorn doorways.

"It's a lively atmosphere. It makes people happy and helps with business," said shop assistant Wendy Huang, wearing a red-and-white Santa Claus hat and vest.

It's not clear how much the promotions are boosting sales.

Secret too is how authorities wish to keep information about the crackdown on unregistered churches outside Hangzhou, about 150km southwest of Shanghai.

About a dozen churches have been destroyed here since the summer, along with scores of Buddhist temples and Taoist shrines, according to activists and human rights monitors.

Three church activists have been arrested on charges of revealing state secrets for talking about the crackdown, according to the Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy.

Such actions vary from place to place, with greater tolerance reported in the northeast and some other parts of China.

Yet selective enforcement of rules can intimidate unofficial congregations everywhere, the US State Department said in its annual report on religious freedom in China.

China's "respect for freedom of religion and freedom of conscience remained poor, especially for many unregistered religious groups and spiritual movements," the report said.

China's Foreign Ministry res-ponded Sunday, rejecting the criticism and accusing Washington of "interfering in China's internal affairs under the guise of religious issues."

At Shanghai's imposing Cath-edral of St. Ignatius -- part of the officially authorized Roman Catholic Church -- such feuds and commercialism seem far away.

Parishioners follow the Chinese-language Mass on big screen televisions while the only ornaments are a nativity scene in one of the vaults. Christmas Day services are so popular that the church distributes tickets in order to limit the numbers who attend.

"We don't pay any attention to the rest of those things," said Li Ting, a middle-aged parishioner. "We just want to carry out our religion and celebrate this special time of year."

Talk is not cheap in cross-strait relations

By Ku Er-teh

Wednesday, Dec 24, 2003,Page 8

On Dec. 16, Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng said during an interview with the China Times that the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) has never opposed the "one country on each side" dictum. Nor has it stressed the so-called "one China" principle, he said. The blue camp does not talk about "one China" or the Taiwan independence issue, Wang said, but the blue camp does not oppose independence and says "it will not rule out the option of an independent Taiwan in the future."

Wang's remarks were immediately attacked by the pan-green camp. Indeed, the "1992 consensus" and the notion of "one China, with each side making its own interpretation" have always been the keynotes of the KMT's cross-strait policy. Since when has it changed its stance? Did the chairman of the pan-blue camp's presidential election campaign make the comments simply to attract votes?

Even though the impression that politicians are irresponsible in their talk remains deeply embedded in the public mind, for a political heavyweight like Wang -- whether he's responsible or not -- at least thinks thoroughly before he speaks, and makes comments for specific purposes. The purpose of his recent remarks is to win over the support of local voters. As he said, "The blue camp will repeatedly strengthen its emphasis on the localization discourse in the election battle."

The problem therefore lies in voters themselves. Wang's comments on cross-strait relations show that this kind of talk is popular with voters. If that is the case, the blue camp can surely understand why President Chen Shui-bian insists on launching a "defensive referendum," because a referendum will highlight the issue of self-determination, as well as please voters.

Has the referendum issue offended the US or even damaged the trust between Taipei and Washington? Perhaps. But, if not for its concerns about a backlash from voters, the KMT would not have kept a "defensive referendum" clause in the law, allowing Chen the space to maneuver. As the opposition's legislative speaker, Wang is responsible for the passage of the Referendum Law.

Wang's talk was considered honest. In fact, his honesty has highlighted a fundamental problem: neither the ruling nor the opposition camp has yet touched on core policies in the run-up to the election.

We all know that a "greater China economic circle" is forming now, and that most people favor the opening of direct links between the two sides of the Strait. However, Beijing will only return to the negotiating table under the condition of the "one China" principle. Unwilling to accept this condition, Chen has turned to a hardline stance from his "five noes" policy. How will the blue camp deal with the problem once it comes to power?

The blue camp can criticize the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) government for failing to propose policies to solve these problems. In the past, the blue camp only tried to avoid such problems by criticizing Chen. But Wang's honesty has highlighted the necessity for the blue camp to face these problems.

Nevertheless, Wang is still not honest enough. He said that the pivotal campaign issues are the economy, unemployment, education reforms and government finance, and that neither sovereignty nor cross-strait relations are priority issues on the blue camp's agenda. The problem is: when the economy goes wrong, the blue camp often links it to cross-strait relations, but it usually switches its focus back to voters when it comes to elections.

It is more important that both camps seriously explain and debate their policies and strategies. At least, they should tell the people which path they are taking.

Ku Er-teh is a freelance writer.

AIT briefed on `five noes' threat

ASSURANCE: A source said that US officials were given an extra briefing to clear up any misunderstandings after President Chen said he may revoke an earlier promise

By Lin Chieh-yu

STAFF REPORTER

Wednesday, Dec 24, 2003,Page 3

To avoid further misunderstandings between Taiwan and the US, the Presidential Office on Monday briefed American Institute in Taiwan officials on President Chen Shui-bian's threat to revoke his "five noes" promise, a government source told the Taipei Times yesterday.

"We hope that the US government can gain a full understanding of the president's ideas in the shortest time instead of having misunderstandings conveyed to them through fragmented media reports," the source said.

Chen told reporters on Monday that the five noes promise made in his inauguration speech no longer applied because of China's military threats against Taiwan.

Chen said that in the three years since taking over the presidency, he had made many concessions to China, especially in tolerating an upsurge in the number of ballistic missiles targeting Taiwan.

"But I cannot keep making compromises without any principle," Chen said. "Therefore, if China launches any missile tests, I will formally announce that the five noes promise no longer exists."

The source said that the president's tough stance highlighted his resolution to hold a referendum alongside the presidential election next March, and was a warning to Beijing not to provoke Taiwan.

"The defensive referendum, which the president now calls a `peace referendum,' can in no way be withdrawn," the source said.

"The president has no intention of raising tensions between Taiwan and China, yet he cannot escape the media's concern over the five noes," the official said.

Presidential Office Secretary General Chiou I-jen also stood by Chen, saying that the point of the president's remark was that he was still willing to compromise with China.

"The president is making his thoughts and words clearer to the international community," Chiou said. "The president did not prepare to talk about the five noes, he was answering the media's question about the issue," Chiou said. "The good thing is that he made his ideas clearer."

Chiou said that the referendum would have no bearing on independence or reunification but was just a measure to secure the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.

"It is the Taiwanese government's bottom line, and President Chen strictly abides by it."

"The US government doesn't like Taiwan's defensive referendum, but it has never opposed it and we understand the US government's line," Chiou said.

"Logically speaking, the five noes do not exist, but in practical terms, the president has abided by it with all his efforts to seek peace," Chiou said.

"Speaking frankly, the president can no longer abide by the five noes since China's actions have not meet Chen's request," Chiou said. "But the president would like to compromise. However, the compromise should not be without limits -- as soon as any missile is launched, the five noes will be revoked," he said.

Chen a `big mouth' for leaking secrets: Lien

By Huang Tai-lin

STAFF REPORTER

Wednesday, Dec 24, 2003,Page 3

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan yesterday branded President Chen Shui-bian a "big mouth" who had endangered the lives of Taiwanese intelligence agents working undercover for political gain.

Citing a report in the Hong Kong-based Ming Pao on Monday that said 21 Taiwanese spies had been arrested by China following remarks by Chen that pinpointed the number of missiles in China that were aimed at Taiwan, Lien said the president was an "incompetent commander-in-chief whose actions could jeopardize the lives of the nation's armed forces."

"[We] don't know where Taiwan will go if Taiwan continues to be under Chen's leadership," said Lien, who will face off against Chen in March's presidential election.

"Given the sensitivity of defense work, and that the rights of China-based Taiwanese businesspeople ought not to be neglected, I wish that President Chen would be more cautious and discreet with his comments," said Lien while meeting with supporters in Taipei County.

"It is incredible that because of concern over his own election campaign, Chen is going as far as to leak confidential information, even when that means putting the lives of our undercover agents in danger," Lien said.

The Presidential Office denied the report on Monday, saying the story was intended to deal a blow to Chen.

Despite government denial of the report, Lien yesterday urged Chen to hand all details concerning the matter and attach top priority to saving the agents.

Meanwhile, Chang Rong-kung, head of the KMT's mainland affairs department, yesterday rebutted accusations by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Wen-chung that Chang was working as a secret cross-strait emissary for Lien.

Chang said his frequent trips to China were to meet with China-based Taiwanese businesspeople and that he had not met with any Chinese officials.

"If necessary, I am willing to call up these Taiwanese businesspeople in China to come forth and prove my innocence," Chang said. "However, if that's what I have to do, then I would also demand a public apology from Lee for his false accusations against me."

Pan-greens on illegal assets trail

ILL-GOTTEN GAINS: Lawmakers yesterday revealed yet more cases of the KMT giving party-related organizations preferential deals on government assets

By Fiona Lu

STAFF REPORTER

Wednesday, Dec 24, 2003,Page 1

"The BCC ... owes an explanation as to why it claimed ownership of the land the MOTC actually bought."

－Tuan Yi-kang, DPP legislator

Pan-green lawmakers yesterday revealed more details of land misappropriated or illegally occupied by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT).

The lawmakers singled out the China Youth Corps (CYC), founded by former president Chiang Ching-kuo in 1952 with a pledge to eliminate communism and recover the mainland. The KMT-related organization had occupied a large parcel of land in downtown Taipei for 50 years, they said.

"The China Youth Corps has been privileged to use the land, estimated to be worth NT$5.7 billion in current market value, for 50 years, paying about NT$10 million as annual rent," said Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Kuo Jung-chung.

The KMT-related organization did not pay for the use of land until recently, Kuo said.

"Government estimates on the rent of public land showed that the CYC should pay at least NT$220 million in rent every year. The CYC, however, only paid about NT$10 million once a year," he said.

The China Youth Corps had continued to enjoy its privileged low rent even though it had, given the obsolescence of its original purpose, transformed itself into a commercial organization involved in teaching, tourism and accommodation, Kuo said.

DPP Legislator Tang Huo-shen also pointed out the anomaly of the Ministry of Education paying the youth corps to use its land.

As part of its total rent the CYC pays NT$2.68 million to the education ministry. But the ministry had to subsidize the CYC to the tune of NT$8.14 million. The result was that the ministry was paying the CYC NT$5.46 million every year to use its facilities.

Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) whip Liao Pen-yen called for terminating the CYC's privileges, as part of a mission to recover assets improperly obtained by the KMT.

On the other hand, DPP Legislator Tuan Yi-kang said that the Ministry of Transportation and Communications was correct in recovering two controversial parcels of land in Chiayi County, which have been the subject of a lawsuit between the Central Broadcasting System and the Broadcasting Corporation of China (BCC).

Government budgetary papers showed that the MOTC bought the land many years ago for the BCC to broadcast political propaganda overseas, according to Tuan. BCC has claimed that it bought the land itself.

Tuan cited a book written by Wu Dao-i, a senior member of the BCC, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the KMT-related radio station in which Wu said that the government allocated the money for the purchase of the lands by his station.

"The BCC owes the public an apology for lying that it bought the land itself and claimed title to it," Tuan said.

"The BCC needs to explain the reason for its continued occupation of the land even though its mission of broadcasting overseas ended long ago. It owes an explanation as to why it claimed ownership of the land the MOTC actually bought," he said.

While the KMT hinted that former president Lee Teng-hui should shoulder responsibility for the ill-gotten wealth, TSU legislative leader Lo Chih-ming conveyed the former president's words that KMT Chairman Lien Chan was the one who should come clean about the property issue.

"Lee came up with the idea of institutionalizing party assets as early as 1993. The KMT therefore founded a special management committee for assets in that year," Lo told a news conference.

"But Lien went astray from Lee's idea after his defeat in the 2000 presidential election, which caused today's problems," Lo said.

A peaceful resolution to conflict

By Chris Wu

Wednesday, Dec 24, 2003,Page 8

`China's authoritarian dictatorship is one of the factors that had led to the expansion of pro-independence forces in Taiwan. Beijing will pay a price for its rigid thinking on the issue of Taiwan.'

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao brought with him a few important issues during his US visit -- the issues of Taiwan, Sino-US trade relations, nuclear arms development on the Korean Peninsula and global terrorism. Among them, the issue of Taiwan and Sino-US trade relations concern Beijing the most.

The response Wen got from US President George W. Bush on Taiwan was: no independence for Taiwan, no use of military force from Beijing and maintaining the status quo.

What Bush said at a press conference was this: "Let me tell you what I've just told the premier on this issue. The United States government's policy is `one China,' based upon the three communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. We oppose any unilateral decision by either China or Taiwan to change the status quo. And the comments and actions made by the leader of Taiwan indicate that he may be willing to make decisions unilaterally to change the status quo, which we oppose."

This statement was exactly what Beijing wanted, so Wen said he "very much" appreciated the position adopted by Washington, the essence of which was no independence for Taiwan, no use of military force from Beijing and maintaining the status quo.

The US is facing difficulties in Iraq. Washington needs Beijing's help to deal with the nuclear problem in North Korea and global terrorism. In view of his country's interests, Bush of course does not want to see any conflicts in the Taiwan Strait to make the situation worse. The proposal of a defensive referendum or an independence-unification referendum by the Taiwanese authorities can potentially change the status quo. Based on the Taiwan Relations Act, the US is obliged to help defend Taiwan in case of any military threats from China. Washington is most reluctant to let Taiwan decide whether a conflict is to erupt between the US and China. Beijing, on the other hand, cannot accept Taiwan's formal independence. Chinese leaders are afraid that Chinese people would accuse them of doing nothing about the loss of Taiwan. Under such circumstances, China's military intimidation against Taiwan does concern the US.

Bush's statement not only looked after US interests but also proved to be the best way at the moment to protect Taiwan's democracy from a Chinese invasion.

However, is the US policy drastically tilted toward Beijing? No. The long-term strategies and policies of the US for cross-strait relations have not changed. The US still insists on "one China" and a peaceful resolution, and opposes Beijing's military violation of Taiwan. Bush said to Wen in a straightforward manner: "Look, you know, if you force us, if you try to use force or coercion against Taiwan, we're going to be there."

Here are the basic points of America's long-term strategies and policies for the cross-strait issue:

China and the US have different ideologies and social systems, thus different strategic interests.

China is a large country on the rise and has the potential to become a strong power, so the US has to take precautions. That's why it will not easily leave Taiwan to Beijing's authoritarian dictatorship.

The US wants China to become a democracy so as to fundamentally eradicate the possibility of major conflicts between the two countries. Taiwan's democratic system represents an excellent model and puts pressure on Beijing to reform its authoritarian regime and social system. In fact, Taiwan's influence on China over the past 25 years surpasses people's imagination. It will continue to expand its economic, social and political influence, thereby promoting the development of democracy in China.

There are pro-Taiwan forces in both the US Senate and House of Representatives that support Taiwan's democratic system and oppose Beijing's authoritarian regime and its violations of Taiwan.

As long as Taiwan does not negatively influence the global anti-terrorism strategies of the US, Washington will certainly use the Taiwan Relations Act to protect and support Taiwan's democratic system.

China's authoritarian dictatorship is one of the factors that had led to the expansion of pro-independence forces in Taiwan. Beijing will pay a price for its rigid thinking on the issue of Taiwan. Some of the rigid decision makers in Beijing believe that they can annex the Republic of China as long as China's military is strong enough. However, they have never thought about the consequences of postwar hatred. Nor have they ever thought seriously about the US policy of opposing any unilateral change of the status quo.

In its handling of Taiwan, Beijing does not respect history and reality. It unreasonably oppresses Taiwan and expects the island to surrender and recognize "one country, two systems." The ruling and opposition parties in Taiwan will by no means accept such a deal because people have seen the example of Hong Kong. Therefore, although Wen seemed to get an upper hand in front of Bush, the fundamental problem is still there and the long-term goal is yet to be reached.

How can we fundamentally resolve the issue of cross-strait relations? I think China has to undergo political reform and become a constitutional democracy where government officials of all levels are elected and monitored by the people, making China's political and social systems closer to those of Taiwan, while economic, cultural and social exchanges across the Strait expand. Sino-US relations should also continue to improve and mutual trust should be built. Only when these criteria are realized and when there is a foundation of democracy, freedom, rule of law and constitutional politics, can Taiwan and China hold talks about a peaceful unification. This is the best unification model, which incurs the lowest social cost and is most welcomed in the international community. This is the ultimate goal in cross-strait relations.

Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the US and China have had a relatively harmonious relationship. Beijing has become the US's ally in its anti-terrorism campaign. In the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula, Beijing also mediated to ensure smooth diplomatic channels and promote the six-party talks. From now on, Washington will ask Beijing to play an active role in the issue in return for Washington's concession on the Taiwan issue.

Similarly, China needs the American market and more capital and hi-tech equipment from the US. The US trade deficit with China reached US$120 billion this year, becoming one of the focal points of conflict between the two countries. Following Bush's statement, China will make concessions, major ones, on trade issues. Wen agreed to make more efforts to improve China's trade relations with the US. First, Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi will co-chair with US Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans a Sino-US trade coordination committee, which is due to start working next spring. Then, China will purchase more products from the US. The two sides will also negotiate the exchange rate of the Chinese yuan, which China is very likely to adjust. That is, Beijing will use a considerable amount of capital to strengthen and improve its trade relations and economic exchanges with the US and improve its productivity. These trade activities are far better than a cross-strait war that will consume resources, destroy productivity and cause economic and social development to deteriorate.

Chris Wu is editor in chief of China Spring and China Affairs magazines.