Figuring out who really loves Taiwan

Lung-chu Chen

Recently Chinese democracy activist Wei Jingsheng (魏京生) visited Taiwan, during which he reminded people to refrain from seeking "external" support for what he called a domestic power struggle. Wei also cautioned against playing the "China card." Errors in the handling of internal affairs are forgivable, but errors in cross-strait policy could bring destruction for all, Wei warned. Taiwan must therefore unite in pushing forward its cross-strait policy, Wei concluded. His words hit the nail on the head.

Given Taiwan's political dynamics, it is not easy to seek unity in cross-strait policy. Ever since President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) took office last year, many politicians have been incapable of accepting the reality of a rotation of ruling parties. Some even question or deny the value of such a rotation. Politicians who have grown accustomed to holding the reins of power feel a strong sense of emptiness after losing such power overnight.

The opposition alliance has been contrary for the sake of contrariness -- opposing all of the Chen administration's policy measures, irrespective of whether the policies are good or bad or on foreign or domestic affairs. They have also begun to seek support for their anti-Chen efforts from outside.

Despite Beijing's insistence on the "one China" principle, "China fever" remains unabated in Taiwan. Engulfing Taiwan under the one China principle remains Beijing's unswerving goal. China's unificationist propaganda ranges from verbal assaults to military threats to divide and conquer efforts.

Ever since the Chen administration took over, China has come to realize that a once-in-a-lifetime chance has arrived -- through the good work of the opposition alliance. It is therefore intensifying its "divide and conquer" strategy, hoping to create internal divisions in Taiwan in order to accomplish its goal of defeating individual enemies one by one.

Why do the people of Taiwan tolerate the herds of politicians who have rushed to humbly pay tribute to Beijing? These politicians take pride in boasting about which political heavyweights they have had the honor of meeting in Beijing. Why isn't such behavior loathed by the people of Taiwan? Beijing officials looked down upon such actions even as they seek to use these politicians as weapons to mete out blows against the Chen administration.

China has deliberately ignored the existence of the Chen administration, opposing the holding of bilateral dialogue within the existing framework. Its purpose is to create social unrest in Taiwan and then blame the ruling party. As far as one can see, China's unificationist strategy of "uniting with secondary enemies to hit on the primary enemy" is working like a charm.

The costs of political struggles have caused Taiwan's economic and social competitiveness to decline. We should examine the words and actions of each and every politician pursuant to the principle that national interests take precedence over party interests. Then we will be able to tell who truly loves Taiwan.

Chen Lung-chu is founder and chairman of the Chen Lung-chu New Century Foundation.