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`U' students show concern

With tensions escalating more than 10,000 miles away in the Taiwan Strait, members of the University Taiwanese community are beginning to demonstrate their concern for China's actions.

Yu-Ping Tsai, a member of the Michigan Taiwanese Student Association, has posted fliers around campus asking students to support Taiwan in its conflict with China.

"Students can try to understand the situation and why Taiwan wants to be free," he said. "Send a letter to President Clinton and Congress in support of Taiwan."

Tsai said that although he is a little worried about his parents, who still reside in Taiwan's capital of Taipei, he does not think China will take any further action beyond the missile tests.

"If China really wants a war, then we are ready to fight," he said.

LSA senior Caroline Huang said she is not very worried either.

"With the recent U.S. involvement, I don't think the U.S. will allow this conflict to escalate to the level of serious violence and war," she said.

Caroline Huang spent last summer in Taipei, enrolled in a cultural studies program, when the missile exercises began.

Yasheng Huang, an associate professor of political science, said that although the Taiwanese should be worried now, he doesn't think there will be a war in the near future.

"The purpose (of the exercises) is to discourage the voters from voting for a candidate who is in favor of Taiwanese independence," he said.

The Taiwanese presidential elections, scheduled for March 23, are the first direct presidential election in the island's history. Although Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui has publicly stated he is in favor of reunification with China, Chinese leaders believe Lee is promoting an independent Taiwan.

Political science Prof. Kenneth Lieberthal said he believes that after the elections, Lee will make a "serious gesture to improve ties with Beijing."

"I don't think there's any chance at all that Lee will be elected and declare independence," he said. "If he does continue to promote independence status then tensions will increase."

Lieberthal is the author of the book "Governing China," which chronicles China's political history and its government structure.

Yasheng Huang, who has family in China, said he does not support Taiwanese independence.

"China will not allow it and (Taiwanese independence) is an invitation for war," he said. "Taiwan should be more responsible."

Although LSA senior Jason Wang is in favor of Taiwanese independence, he said he thinks the Taiwanese people do not really care who runs the government.

"People in Taiwan are more concerned about their money than who's running the country," he said.

Elise Dang, a member of Taiwanese American Students for Awareness, said some of her family members in Taiwan are ready to "stand up for what (they) believe."

"I talked to my grandma and she said, `If they want to come over then let them come over,'" Dang said. "They're not as scared as everyone thinks. They're ready to stand up for what they believe in."

Dang, who is going to Taiwan to work this summer, said she is not afraid to go back.

"Everyone is sick of China's threats," she said. "If China does attack, it would be a bad move on their part because it shows they're moving backwards from their goals to become part of the international community."