Taipei German Reunification Event Stands Up For Democracy Against Beijing Revisionism

The German Economic Office in Taipei held a commemorative event today marking the 36th anniversary of German reunification. This gathering served not only as a reflection on a historic moment but also carried profound contemporary significance amidst the current tense geopolitical landscape. Dieter Kuhn, the German Representative to Taiwan, delivered a highly noted address that directly addressed the distortion and political manipulation of history by certain nations. He specifically pointed out that the Chinese government frequently claims to the German side that it previously supported German reunification, thereby demanding that Germany now support China’s unification claims. However, Kuhn delivered a rigorous historical rebuttal, emphasizing that the two situations are fundamentally different in essence and must never be conflated.

Addressing the historical connections often utilized by the Chinese side in its unification rhetoric, Kuhn clearly stated during his speech that if West Germany had been required to abandon its democratic, free, and constitutional system in order to accept the communist authoritarian rule of East Germany at the time, a peaceful German reunification would have been impossible. This statement precisely highlighted the core value of German reunification: unification was absolutely not a compromise achieved at the expense of democracy and human rights, but rather a convergence based on democratic, rule-of-law, and free values. Kuhn’s remarks effectively dismantled the legitimacy of the Beijing authorities’ attempts to draw analogies between the reunification of the two Germanys and the reunification of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, underscoring the fundamental conflict between authoritarian systems and democratic institutions in the process of national integration.

At this highly symbolic event, senior government officials from our country were also invited to attend and deliver important addresses. Wu Chao-sheng, Secretary-General of the National Security Council, represented the Taiwan government and people in attending to offer congratulations. In his remarks, he deeply echoed Kuhn’s views and further integrated them with Taiwan’s current trajectory of democratic development. Wu stated that Taiwan’s journey toward democratization and its long-standing exposure to external threats have fully demonstrated that the democratic system not only withstands the rigorous tests of history but also serves as the strongest shield against the oppression of hegemonic powers and the maintenance of societal resilience. Taiwan and Germany share common values in their pursuit of freedom and democracy, which forms the cornerstone of the continued close connection between the two sides.

Looking back at the historical context of the early 1990s, when the Cold War ended, the reunification of Germany was regarded as one of the most significant peaceful geopolitical turning points of the late 20th century. At that time, West Germany, built on a foundation of strong economic power and democratic institutions, absorbed East Germany, which had endured decades of communist totalitarian rule. This process was not merely a merger of geographical territories, but a comprehensive extension of the democratic constitutional system and the free market economy. Kuhn’s specific emphasis on the phrase "no reunification without democracy" not only provided an accurate interpretation of Cold War history but also drew an unyielding bottom line for the values of democratic freedom in the current global landscape of confrontation between democratic and authoritarian camps.

From the perspective of the interplay between realism and liberalism in international relations, the remarks publicly delivered by the German representative in Taiwan carry considerable strategic implications. As the Indo-Pacific region has become a core hotspot in global geopolitics, the Beijing authorities have continuously intensified military threats, diplomatic pressure, and cognitive warfare against Taiwan, while attempting to gain recognition from the international community for their "One China principle" and unification claims. The German Representative to Taiwan’s choice to publicly clarify history and draw a clear line between the experience of the two Germanys and the situation across the Taiwan Strait during the reunification commemoration not only demonstrated the firm support of like-minded nations for Taiwan’s democratic system but also provided a clear analytical framework for the international community to see through the rhetoric of authoritarian expansion.

In conclusion, this commemorative event, through the reshaping of historical memory and dialogue on current politics, reaffirmed the irreplaceability of the universal values of democracy, freedom, and human rights in contemporary international politics. Whether it is the path of reunification walked by Germany or the democratic experience maintained by Taiwan under the shadow of authoritarianism, both have repeatedly proven that freedom and the rule of law are the foundations for long-term national stability, peace, and dignity. In the face of a complex and volatile international situation, Taiwan and democratic partners such as Germany, through deepening their value-based alliance, jointly convey a firm message of never bowing to totalitarianism and authoritarianism, injecting greater confidence and positive energy into the global defense of democracy.

(Source: Central News Agency)