Taiwan Presbyterian Church says NO to the "Three no's"

Taipei, 28 August 1998

In response to Mr. Clinton's "Three no's", pronounced during his ill-fated June / July 1998 visit to China, the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan issued a pastoral letter in which it expressed deep disappointment in Mr. Clinton, and strong opposition to his statements about Taiwan.

The Presbyterian Church stated that Mr. Clinton's statement has "...greatly jeopardized Taiwan's future and the rights of the twenty-one million Taiwanese people. Not only will it potentially isolate Taiwan in the international community, it also unjustly imposes a 'new form of apartheid' policy on Taiwan."

The PCT added that "...on the basis of the Church's identification with the land and the people of Taiwan, we have always emphasized that human rights is a gift given by God, which cannot be removed by anyone. In the face of this critical situation, we feel that we need to remind our believers to stand firm in their faith and to encourage the people of Taiwan to rise up and strive towards making Taiwan into a new and independent country."

The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan then issued its appeal as follows:

Hence We Appeal to:

  1. The members of our churches to pray for the future of Taiwan and the welfare of its people. That they will actively seek opportunities to tell their friends abroad about the Taiwanese people's desire to seek independence for their country.

  2. The ruling Nationalist government of Taiwan (Kuomintang-KMT) to immediately renounce their unrealistic policy of "One China" and announce to the international community that Taiwan is an independent and sovereign country. That its fate should not be decided by any foreign superpower.

  3. The Taiwan government and all political organizations in Taiwan, in order to protect the dignity and the rights of the people, to cease all talks with China if China refuses to abandon the idea of military intervention of Taiwan.

  4. The international community not to submit to the unreasonable demands of the Chinese because of economic interests or fear of the superpowers. Democracy and freedom, achieved through years of sacrifice and struggle by the Taiwanese people, are not just a precious possession of the people of Taiwan. Any violation against the dignity and democracy of the Taiwanese people also poses a threat to human values and civilization worldwide.

  5. In search of peace, the countries of the world should also pursue justice. if the international community continues to isolate Taiwan, this action will tempt China to invade Taiwan, and thus will damage the peace and harmony of the Asia-Pacific region. Henceforth, in order to promote peace in the world, the world's nations should actively assist Taiwan in joining all international organizations.

We firmly believe in the promise of God:

He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nations will not take up swords against nations, nor will they train for war any more. Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig-tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the LORD almighty has spoken (Micah 3: 3-4, NIV)

Signed:

Reverend Hsieh Chieh-ming

Moderator


Reverend William J.K. Lo

General Secretary

45th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan

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