Your Holiness,
The message of Your Holiness for the celebration of the World Day of Peace, issued on January 1, 2010, with the theme "If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation", was forwarded to me through Mr. Larry Yu-yuan Wang, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Holy See. I thank Your Holiness for sharing the invaluable thoughts contained in the message.
After reading the message, I was deeply touched and inspired by the far-sightedness and wisdom of Your Holiness, as the message urges the people of the world, as well as governments and international organizations, to recognize the inescapable fact that our harmonious coexistence is inextricably linked with our respect for the natural world. Your Holiness also incisively points out, "Our present crises – be they economic, food-related, environmental or social – are ultimately also moral crises, and all of them are interrelated. They require us to rethink the path which we are travelling together. Specifically, they call for a lifestyle marked by sobriety and solidarity, with new rules and forms of engagement… Only in this way can the current crisis become an opportunity for discernment and new strategic planning." Your Holiness' words are truly admirable and deserve due recognition.
As Your Holiness mentioned, the fact that world peace and nature are closely connected is attested to by the "phenomenon of 'environmental refugees', people who are forced by the degradation of their natural habitat to forsake it – and often their possessions as well – in order to face the dangers and uncertainties of forced displacement." In addition, the message notes that "integral human development is closely linked to the obligations which flow from man's relationship with the natural environment. The environment must be seen as God's gift to all people, and the use we make of it entails a shared responsibility for all humanity, especially the poor and future generations." I wholeheartedly agree with your sagacious and illuminating insights.
Persistent international and regional conflicts, terrorism, human rights violations, food shortages caused by global warming and the uneven distribution of wealth are all cause for grave concern, and I sincerely hope that world leaders can grasp Your Holiness' message that "the ecological crisis cannot be viewed in isolation from other related questions," for I firmly believe that sustainable development is a common vision shared by all human civilizations. Establishing fair and just societies, in tandem with creating a sustainable model of economic development and leaving the environment unspoiled, is our solemn promise to future generations. For too long now, mankind's rapid economic expansion and overexploitation of resources has been destroying the Earth's ecosystems. In view of this, Your Holiness beseeches the world to remember that "the goods of creation belong to humanity as a whole. Yet the current pace of environmental exploitation is seriously endangering the supply of certain natural resources not only for the present generation, but above all for generations yet to come…" Your Holiness' words of caution are thought-provoking and should make us all pause to contemplate the hard decisions we face.
It is undeniable that the serious consequences of the rapid and massive destruction of the natural world are closely linked to people's lifestyles and attitudes. The extreme weather events, ecological disruption and extinctions caused by global warming are vital issues that all people today must address together. Just as Your Holiness has written: "We are all responsible for the protection and care of the environment. This responsibility knows no boundaries." However, due to Taiwan's particular political status, it has lost its representation at the United Nations and is therefore unable to participate in important international conventions on environmental protection and their related activities, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Nevertheless, as a conscientious and responsible member of the global village, the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) are determined to act in concert with other nations and to respond to Your Holiness' appeal.
I hereby would like to extend my sincere appreciation for the longstanding concern Your Holiness has shown for the welfare of the people of Taiwan. Please rest assured that both my government and people unequivocally support the lofty goals Your Holiness has set, and I sincerely hope the international community takes Your Holiness' message to heart as we celebrate the World Day of Peace.
Please accept, Your Holiness, the assurances of my highest consideration, as well as my best wishes for your good health and the prosperity of the Holy See.