For Immediate Release
Washington DC – October 19, 2015
Contact: (202) 547-3686
FAPA Urges Pope To Work Towards Dual Recognition Of China And Taiwan
In a letter to Pope Francis dated October 9, the president of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs, Dr. Mark Kao, calls upon the Pope, while he is exploring diplomatic relations with China, not to abandon diplomatic relations with Taiwan but instead move towards “Dual Recognition” of Beijing and Taipei.
The letter reads: “For the past decades, China’s Communist Government has forced nations around the world to choose between maintaining diplomatic relations with either Taipei or Beijing. […] I ask that you pledge, while you consider establishing diplomatic ties with China, that your initiative will be based on the principle of not hurting diplomatic relations with Taiwan.”
The letter continues: “I would like to propose that you consider moving towards “Dual Recognition” of both governments in Beijing and Taipei. Such dual diplomatic recognition would entail not abandoning the 23 million people of Taiwan, and in addition would also be a way to foster and encourage peaceful coexistence between Taiwan and China. And it would set a precedent for other countries to emulate.”
FAPA President Mark Kao, Ph.D., says: “Dual Recognition” of China and Taiwan is an idea that is long overdue. Pope Francis played a critical initiating role in putting the establishment of U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations on the rails. It makes very much sense that he takes the lead in recognizing that Taiwan and China are two countries on either side of the Taiwan Strait which the international community wants to see develop into friendly neighbors.”
台灣人公共事務會呼籲教宗對台灣及中國給予「雙重承認」
台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮博士，於10月13日致函教宗方濟各，呼籲教廷在考量與中國建交的同時，不應放棄與台灣的外交關係，而應考量以「雙重承認」的模式，同時與北京及台北維持外交關係。
信中寫道：「過去數十年間，中國共產黨政府強勢逼迫世界各國須在北京與台北間擇一建交。（中略）請您保證在考量與中國建交的同時，將以不傷害教廷與台灣的外交關係為原則。」
信中續道：「我想向您建議考量對北京與台北兩政府給與『雙重承認』。『雙重承認』不只代表著教廷不會放棄台灣兩千三百萬人民外，同時將鼓勵台灣與中國之間和平共存，也會替其他國家立下可以依循的先例。」
台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮博士表示：「對中國及台灣給予『雙重承認』是一個早就應該實施的概念。教宗方濟各在促成美國與古巴建交中扮演了關鍵性的起頭角色，因此由他帶頭同時承認台灣與中國為兩個國家是十分合理的，而國際社會也樂於見到台海雙方成為友好的鄰近國家。」
Letter to Pope Francis
His Holiness, Pope Francis October 9, 2015
Apostolic Palace
00120 Vatican CityYour Holiness,
As the President of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs, (FAPA) a U.S. based grassroots organization that promotes freedom, human rights and democracy for the people of Taiwan, I write to you today to congratulate you with a very successful U.S. visit. Your five-day trip lifted not only the spirits of American Catholics but of the general American public as well.
However, we are concerned about the following. After your return to Vatican City, it was reported in the international press that you had “confirmed [that] talks with China are moving forward as the Vatican aims for formal ties with the Communist Party despite signs of Beijing tightening its grip on religious groups.”
For the past decades, China’s Communist Government has forced nations around the world to choose between maintaining diplomatic relations with either Taipei or Beijing. And even though I fully understand the importance of diplomatic relations between the Vatican and the government in Beijing, I ask that you pledge, while you consider establishing diplomatic ties with China, that your initiative will be based on the principle of not hurting diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Specifically, I would like to propose that you consider moving towards “Dual Recognition” of both governments in Beijing and Taipei. Such dual diplomatic recognition would entail not abandoning the 23 million people of Taiwan, and in addition would also be a way to foster and encourage peaceful coexistence between Taiwan and China. And it would set a precedent for other countries to emulate.”
It is important for the church to preach the gospel in China. But to paraphrase Luke 15:4: “A good shepherd never loses even one sheep…”
We hereby respectfully urge you to use your vision and leadership and encourage you to move towards recognition of both the government in Taiwan as well as the government in China. That would really enhance peace and stability in the region.
Thank you very much. I look forward to hearing from you.
With every good wish to Your Holiness, I am,
Sincerely Yours,Mark Kao, President,
Formosan Association for Public Affairs
教宗陛下鈞鑒：
我今天以台灣人公共事務會會長的身分致函予您，為要恭喜您完成了一趟成功的美國行。台灣人公共事務會是一個提倡台灣人民自由、人民、民主的全國性草根組織。您在美國五天的拜訪行程，不只啟發了美國天主教徒，更啟發了美國大眾。
然而，接下來的消息讓我們甚感憂慮。在您回到梵蒂岡後，國際媒體報導您已經證實即便北京對宗教團體的打壓甚劇，教廷仍開始與中國討論建交事宜。
過去數十年間，中國共產黨政府強勢逼迫世界各國須在北京與台北間擇一建交。即使我充分了解教廷與北京政府建交的重要性，我想請您保證在考量與中國建交的同時，將以不傷害教廷與台灣的外交關係為原則。
具體而言，我想向您建議考量對北京與台北兩政府給與『雙重承認』。『雙重承認』不只代表著教廷不會放棄台灣兩千三百萬人民外，同時將鼓勵台灣與中國之間和平共存，也會替其他國家立下可以依循的先例
教會在中國宣揚福音固然重要，但聖經路加福音15章4節說道：「你們中間有那個人有一百隻羊，遺失了其中的一隻，而不把這九十九隻丟在荒野，去尋覓那遺失的一隻，直到找著呢？」
我們特別鼓勵您考慮承認台灣及中國兩國的政府。此舉將大大提昇該區域的和平與穩定。
十分感謝您。靜待佳音。
恭請 鈞安台灣人公共事務會 總會長
高龍榮
