ONE-CHINA PRINCIPLE

Regarding “Taiwan – the Israel of the Far East” (January 17): Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and the compatriots across the Taiwan Straits are all Chinese who share natural kinship and national identity. This is why one can find in Taiwan the well-defined similarities between the Chinese and the Jewish peoples, such as the emphases on family, cultural traditions and innovation. These common values have long been the bridge connecting the Chinese and Jewish peoples and cultivating our mutual trust and support.

In a few days’ time, China and Israel are going to celebrate the 28th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. On January 24, 1992, China and Israel took the historic step and unveiled a new chapter of our time-honored friendship. The One-China principle is the crucial political foundation enshrined in the joint communiqué announcing the birth of China-Israel diplomatic ties, and the Chinese side is always ready to keep improving our relations on this very foundation. WANG YONGJUN The writer is counselor and spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Israel.

Writer Uriel Sturm responds: While I respect the Chinese position expressed through the One-China principle, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of mainland China – and I do not present myself as anything approaching an expert on the region’s politics – there are conflicting views on the issue. The Taiwanese government, which is democratically elected, considers Taiwan to be an independent nation that is NOT part of mainland China and maintains its own sovereignty. Without going too deeply into the debate in this abbreviated space, it should be pointed out that this has been a longstanding dialogue with strong positions and opinions on both sides, and there is no clear-cut truth one way or another.

The theater was sumptuous; we were the only Westerners in the audience