Politics

Taiwan-born major leaguers epitomize ROC-US ties

Taiwan's Kuo Hong-chih (left) and Hu Chin-long pose for the media following a friendly between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Taiwan All-Stars in Kaohsiung March 14. (CNA)

• Publication Date：03/19/2010
• Source： China Times

Taiwan’s Major League Baseball players are a symbol of the “strong, unshakable ties” that exist between the peoples of the ROC and U.S., according to David B. Shear, deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs.

Shear said the presence of ROC nationals Kuo Hong-chih, Hu Chin-long and Wang Chien-ming in the MLB demonstrates that Taiwan and America are interacting “in a telling way.”

Shear made the remarks while giving testimony on recent cross-strait economic, political and military developments to the U.S-China Economic and Security Review Commission March 18. According to Capitol Hill insiders, Shear is the first American official to make a statement on ROC-U.S. ties by mentioning baseball.

In his deposition, Shear said that Washington’s “one-China” policy has guided the country’s relations with Taipei and Beijing. The policy of not supporting Taiwan independence and opposing attempts by either side to alter the status quo across the strait has helped develop Taiwan’s economy and democracy. This has also allowed Washington to nurture relations with Beijing, the official said.

Welcoming the increased stability of cross-strait ties since President Ma Ying-jeou’s inauguration in 2008, Shear said the U.S. should not view Taipei-Beijing rapprochement as detrimental to its interests, “as long as decisions are made free from coercion.”

Regarding the cross-strait military situation, Shear said, “strong concerns remain on both sides of the Pacific about Beijing’s military modernization and deployments.”

Michael Schiffer, U.S. Department of Defense deputy assistant secretary, said during the same hearing that the U.S would abide by the Taiwan Relations Act and continue providing the ROC government with defensive weapons and assistance in modernizing its armed forces.

“This U.S. commitment is of paramount importance in maintaining peace and security in the region.” (PCT-JSM)