Your Holiness:
At a time when international conflicts, nuclear threats, terrorism and the destruction of the natural environment are rife, I was touched by Your Holiness' visionary and inspiring message, The Human Person, the Heart of Peace, for the celebration of the 40th World Day of Peace in 2007. Your Holiness shows great concern for those who experience pain and suffering, particularly women, children and the impoverished in Africa, and invites all peoples, governments and international organizations to work together for justice and peace. Your Holiness' concern for the world is admired by all people.
It is my fervent desire that leaders of all nations will be inspired and encouraged by the message, and grasp fully the importance contained within the message: "At the origin of many tensions that threaten peace are surely the many unjust inequalities still tragically present in our world... A fundamental element of building peace is the recognition of the essential equality of human persons springing from their common transcendental dignity... Thus there is an urgent need, even within the framework of current international difficulties and tensions, for a commitment to a human ecology that can favour the growth of the 'tree of peace'. For this to happen, we must be guided by a vision of the person untainted by ideological and cultural prejudices or by political and economic interests which can instill hatred and violence".
Your Holiness is acutely aware of unceasing regional conflicts, of the threat of nuclear proliferation and, in certain places, of the deprivation of freedom, particularly religious freedom. In these places, it is all too easy to see violations of basic human rights, involuntary organ removal and even the stripping away of the basic right to life. Economies are developed at the expense of the natural ecology, causing serious pollution in rivers and lakes. Such injustice results in contempt for human dignity and, as such, human rights are neither respected nor protected as they should be, creating further upheaval in the world and posing a serious threat to world peace. History has taught us again and again that there is no shortcut to peace, and the true path is not an easy one to travel. Obstacles await us, and it requires all peoples and all cultures to work together to overcome them.
As Your Holiness indicates, "Those with greater political, technical, or economic power may not use that power to violate the rights of others who are less fortunate". Taiwan has long been suppressed by a more powerful neighbour and is still refused entry to the United Nations. This deprives the people of Taiwan of the basic human right to participate in the international community as equals, and violates the principle of the universality of UN membership. In the past, Taiwan has submitted its requests to join the UN in a reasonable and mild manner. Taking 2006 for example, Taiwan's allies filed two proposals--Question of the Representation and Participation of the 23 Million People of Taiwan in the United Nations, and A Proactive Role for the United Nations in Maintaining Peace and Security in East Asia--that have still not received a fair response from the international community. Despite this adversity, Taiwan has persisted with its efforts towards world peace and human happiness. With the righteous support of Your Holiness and other friendly allies, Taiwan is not alone.
Over the past half century, Taiwan has lived in the shadow of China's military threat, yet the Taiwanese people long for peace. In contrast, Beijing's national defense budget has seen double-digit growth during the last twenty years, far exceeding its defensive needs. China has deployed over 800 missiles along its southeastern shore, threatening the peace in the Taiwan Strait and Southeast Asia as a whole. For the sake of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, I have reiterated time and again during the past six years that the cross-strait issue can be settled through peaceful dialogue undertaken on an equal footing. Unfortunately, I have yet to receive any response or good-will gestures from Beijing. I appeal to Your Holiness to maintain your very valid concerns for human rights and religious freedom in China. Please also urge China to dismantle the missiles it has aimed at Taiwan and to renounce the use of force, thus giving peace and stability in Taiwan, and the Asia-Pacific region, a chance. May the tree of peace that Your Holiness has planted among us grow strong and sturdy on both sides of the Strait.
I would like to convey my profound gratitude for Your Holiness' support of Taiwan's democracy, and I hope that the international community comes to value the messages contained within The Human Person, the Heart of Peace. The people and government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) will do our utmost to fulfill Your Holiness' lofty ideals.
Please accept, Your Holiness, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration. I avail myself of this opportunity to extend my best wishes for your good health and happiness.