Scholars warn Taiwan not to become pawn of U.S. hegemony

TAIPEI, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Political scientists and journalists in Taiwan have warned the island not to align with Washington's confrontation mindset and to avoid becoming a tool of U.S. hegemony.

In its quest for global control and to maintain its hegemony, the United States engages in wars and amasses massive debt while ignoring domestic issues, which has resulted in severe internal strife, a growing wealth gap, and increasing political polarization, said Kuan Chung, founder of the Taiwan-based Democracy Foundation, at a seminar held in Taipei Saturday.

"The U.S. disrespects other nations, fails to recognize global changes, and misunderstands its own role," Kuan said.

At the same seminar, Chen Chi-an, an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at Taiwan University, said that U.S. hegemonism is based on unrealistic goals and has exaggerated the threats it faces. As a result, it spends excessive resources pursuing these goals, only to achieve little while undermining its own national interests.

"Freedom and democracy have long since become mere slogans in U.S. foreign policy, as its hegemonic actions only serve the power-seeking calculations of political elites," he said.

Chang Chun-kai, senior editor of the Taiwan-based The Storm Media, pointed out that the Taiwan authorities have unfortunately followed the United States in adopting the fallacious zero-sum game theory, resulting in the so-called "resisting China to protect Taiwan" narrative.

If this continues, Taiwan will only risk losing the opportunity to bridge differences, resolve conflicts, and seek new development, Chang said.

Ting Shou-chung, chairman of the Taiwan-based Bridge Across the Strait Foundation, echoed these concerns, noting that proxy wars are a common tool of U.S. hegemonism and Taiwan must be extremely cautious to avoid becoming the flash point for such a conflict.

"Both sides of the Taiwan Strait are part of the same nation. We do not harbor deep hatred towards each other; we must sit down and have serious discussions," Kuan said. "Peaceful reunification may be a long process, but as long as peace sustains across the Strait, Taiwan will have security and stability, and both sides will benefit." ■