Although there is still no direct flight from Taipei to Washington, the distance between these two cities doesn't seem very far.
In the nation's capital of the United States, people talk about Taiwan everywhere, anytime. A powerful nation-wide newspaper, the Washington Post, covers Taiwan issue very often. Another newspaper based in this city but a more conservative one, the Washington Times, almost vows for Taiwan day by day.
On the Capitol Hill, there are numerous Taiwan policy hearings held and legislations initiated by the members of the Congress. At the Foggy Bottom where State Department locates, officials meet with officers from Pentagon to make the policy about the arms sale to Taiwan.
Along the Massachusetts Avenue, think tanks vary from liberal to ultra-conservative on the political spectrum such as the Brookings Institute and the Heritage Foundation hold endless conferences on Taiwan. In the international studies schools of Georgetown, George Washington and Johns Hopkins University, students discuss about Taiwan in various classes.
The U.S. officials and scholars just finished their visits and came back from Taipei, telling you that he or she had talked with President Chen for three hours. The Taiwan officials and scholars happily come to visit, and proudly tell that they will have a meeting with a deputy assistant secretary, a former one.
True, people here in Washington care about Taiwan very much, yet never in Taiwan people's interest.
Surprisingly, even the homeless talk about Taiwan. One afternoon when I walked out of a Starbucks at the intersession of the Connecticut Avenue and the N Street, an old woman wrapped herself in a rug asked me, "Where are you from, young man?"
"Taiwan, Madam." I simply answered, not expecting that she knew anything of the island half the earth away.
"Did you solve your problem with China?"
I was shocked.
Not knowing how to explain, I could only say, "Not yet. But we will."
I found a smile ran away from her old face as I turned to see her. Deep in her eyes there was still a grin, looked like she knew the answer to the question that has confused the world.
Photo: The U.S. Capitol.
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