But let me emphasize that my government has set aside the dispute over which side has a right to represent the whole of China in international forums, replacing it with the far more practical proposal that both sides should enjoy parallel rights of representation. We are not asking or expecting the American people to choose sides or launch a crusade. The fact of the matter is that a one-sided policy of engagement would be inherently interventionist in nature. The United Nations model of parallel engagement with respect to the two Koreas and, formerly, to the two Germanys is evidence of the practicality of the approach. Only divided China is limited to representation by one side only.
Artificial constraints are cumbersome, impractical, and illogical.
More than that, they are self-defeating in the long run as well as the short run. Instead, broad engagement tactics are realistic, pragmatic, and far more productive. In truth, everyone benefits from fullscale participation in matters of common concern. Finally, a U.S. policy of parallel engagement also represents an important degree of public acknowledgement and approval for the many welcome achievements by our people in the political, commercial, and social arenas. That is no small matter to the hard working citizens of the ROC, or to our neighbors who closely monitor U.S. policies and practices throughout the region.