THE RESOLUTION ON TAIWAN

美國聯合衛理公會發表「支持台灣人民自決」文


THE RESOLUTION ON TAIWAN


Approved By
THE 2008 GENERAL CONFERENCE Of
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH


The human story is one of migration and struggles for self-determination, but often frustrated by the unsolicited intervention of nations into the affairs of other nations. The United Methodist Church continues to stand unequivocally against such interventions. This too is the story of the people of Taiwan whose struggles for self-determination call for our solidarity and action.

Taiwan is an island state of twenty three million people, comprised of indigenous Taiwanese, Chinese and a mix of both. After 400 plus years of colonial rule by the Dutch, the Chinese and the Japanese, the people of Taiwan today have a stable form of democratic government, a thriving economy and a vibrant national identity and culture.

Therefore, we call upon all United Methodists around the world to stand in solidarity with the Taiwanese people as they assert their human rights and their right to self-determination. Self-determination will allow the Taiwanese people to freely determine their political destiny and achieve their democratic aspirations, without influence from, or domination by, foreign powers.

Further, that United Methodists support the Taiwanese people's hope for a just and durable peace, secure and stable borders, and sustainable development and cooperation among nations and peoples of the world.

In light of historic United Methodist understanding of self-determination, and its current understanding of the "One China" policy, we therefore call upon the leadership of the Council of Bishops, with the assistance of the General Board of Global Ministries and the General Board of Church and Society and their Annual Conference networks, including the National Federation of Asian American United Methodists, to inform and educate the church about the history, experience, struggles and hopes of the Taiwanese people.

人類的故事，是一個遷移和自決的奮鬥史，然而卻常因其他國家不請自來的干涉而受到挫敗。美國聯合衛理公會決定，將繼續明確地反對這樣的干涉。而台灣人民追求自決的故事，也是這樣的故事，喚起我們的支持與行動。
台灣是一個擁有兩千三百萬人民的島國，其中包括台灣原住民、漢人以及原漢混血的種族。四百多年來，台灣歷經了荷蘭、中國、日本等外來政權殖民統治，如今台灣人民已經擁有了穩定的民主政府、繁榮的經濟以及充滿生氣的國家認同與文化。

因此，我們呼籲全世界各地的衛理公會肢體，與台灣人民站在一起，支持他們追求人權與自決的努力。「自決」（self-determination）能夠保障台灣人民自由地決定他們的政治命運，並致力於他們所努力的民主抱負，而不受其他國家的影響或主導。

再者，聯合衛理公會支持台灣人民企盼擁有持久和平、穩定安全的國界，以及與世界各個國家與人民合作與永續發展的願望。

秉著衛理公會對自決的歷史性了解，以及對所謂「一中政策」，確有根據時情做更新教育的必要，並呼籲衛理公會督團的眾領袖，在宣教機構、教會與社會事工委員會，及全國亞裔美國衛理公會聯盟等的支持下，能夠告知並教育教會，使其了解台灣人民的歷史、經驗、奮鬥與盼望。


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