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Updated Thursday, July 10, 2008 0:00 am TWN, The China Post news staff

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A sample, not a sermon

There’s an old Sunday school song that enjoins one to be “a sample, not a sermon.” With the recent lifting of a ban on mainland Chinese tourists, it would behoove us to consider the wisdom of this advice. Taiwan is a genuine democracy with freedom of speech and assembly. Any group with a grievance or cause can peacefully protest, agitate or advocate their position. But history shows that the “soft power” of persuasion is often more effective than “in-your-face” confrontation. A recent local TV news report claimed Chinese in cities like Shanghai are avid watchers of Taiwan’s many politically-themed talk-shows, often gathering to watch and discuss the semi-illegal satellite broadcasts.

The TV report showed mainlanders shaking their head in amusement and awe while a Taiwan commentator slammed the Taiwan government. “If we tried that here,” said one Shanghai viewer, “we’d be arrested.” For these Chinese, simply watching the reality of political freedom was worth years of sermons on the value of democracy.

There have already been incidents of Falun Gong and Tibetan independence advocates “welcoming” mainland tourists with placards and flags. These two groups are, of course, within their legal rights to make their opinions heard, but if these and any other groups try the “hard-sell” route, they may discover their best intentions to be counter-productive. Watching a group of Falun Gong members peacefully perform Qigong should be a greater positive advertisement for the group than aggressively handing out pamphlets or protesting near tourist sites. By forsaking chiding sermons and instead gently offering a genuine sample of freedom, the residents of Taiwan could convert many more Chinese to the idea of democracy.

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