Beijing must prioritise peace and the alleviation of poverty

I refer to the letters to the editor on April 5: “Former Taiwan leader’s mainland China itinerary holds an important message”, “US foreign policy is grounded in ends justifying means” and “Millions of children in China need help”. They have highlighted three important issues.

First, on the conflict between mainland China and Taiwan and the appeal for sanity and peace, I believe that peace is more important than forced reunification. The leadership of mainland China should be prepared to engage in dialogue with any government that is elected in Taiwan, and the Democratic Progressive

Party should not be excluded. Dialogue is the best way to resolve conflict and the cheapest way to secure peace.

US governments and unfortunately most Americans have been manipulated by the military-industrial complex. The United States will continue to act like a bully without the proper rule of international law.

The only way forward, but one that is difficult to achieve, is not to fight the US and become similar to it, as Russia has, but to unite all other United Nations members, big and small, to form a strong international peacekeeping force under the UN that can counteract the US’ and others’ dictatorial behaviour in the future.

That there are 67 million “left-behind” children in mainland China is a disgrace when the country has so many billionaires. The government should tackle this poverty more forcefully, even if it has to tax or force these billionaires to help alleviate the problem. These children are China’s future assets, after all.

Dr Ka Sing Chua, Victoria, Australia