Taipei, Feb. 15 (CNA) Vice President Annette Lu on Saturday urged the people of Taiwan to shake off the notion that "Sinicization" equates to globalization and instead seek a new path to establishing Taiwan as a "world island."
Speaking at a meeting of a Hakka association, Lu said the Taiwanpeople should treasure the island's "softpowers," such as its strong human rights, democracy and technological development, and allow Taiwan to become a great power in the world.
At a time when more and more Taiwan capital and talent is heading to the mainland, she said the idea that Taiwan's future lies in mainland China is confused thinking, adding that those who hold this view forget about the efforts expended by Taiwan over the last half century in warding off the mainland Chinese threat.
Pointing out that Taiwan is a democratic country that possesses high technology, Lu said there is no reason why Taiwan cannot become a major sea power in the world much as Holland, which is similar to Taiwan in terms of territorial size, did some three hundred years ago.
The vice president also reminded those who consider Taiwan's future lies in mainland China that Beijing has deployed some 400 missiles along its southeastern coast aimed at Taiwan and has relentlessly obstructed Taiwan's efforts to join the United Nations and other international organizations.
Mainland China's leaders have always been eager to get their hands on Taiwan because of the island's advantageous geographic location and prosperity, Lu noted. She said that without Taiwan, it will be difficult for mainland China to achieve its ambitions of becoming a marine super power, and therefore Taiwan is seen as an "aircraft carrier" which no country wishes to see become a part of the People's Republic of China.
Lu said the Taiwan should not look at itself from the vantage point of mainland China and instead seek its own path by confirming with certainty that Taiwan is an island nation with many soft powers that should be treasured, urging the people to wake up from the confused thinking of "Sinicization" and allow Taiwan to become a great "world island."