Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) are determined to visit China. This is the KMT's attempt to reassert control over Taiwan, this time with aid from Beijing.
Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) has denounced this collusion with China and the selling out of the Taiwanese people. This was basically a declaration of war, calling for the people to close ranks against Lien and Soong.
So why should they, as politicians, fly in the face of opinion?
Looked at in the context of Taiwan's history, it is not so difficult to understand. Taiwan has resolved the "historical problem" created by the Chiang family's 50 years of militaristic rule through the exercise of democracy. They have used democracy to counter authoritarianism, and through numerous elections have reduced the KMT's grip on power.
The first step is to declare war on an "alien regime," the second is to break up the political parties that represent it and third, establish Taiwan as an independent entity. This is a long road to travel, and it must be walked one step at a time. The results of the last two presidential elections show that the people's efforts have not been wasted.
The descendants of Chiang family rule -- namely Soong and Lien -- know they have little chance of re-establishing the power of their alien political regime. Their only choice is to sell themselves to China. At its most serious, this is an attempt to use China's power to control Taiwan. At a more egotistical level, they are joining with China to enhance their own political fortunes.
The Chiang family saw Taiwan as a springboard for retaking China. But under the creative shift in direction orchestrated by the KMT and PFP, the springboard now operates in the other direction. By joining with China, the pan-blue camp can throw a spanner in the works of Taiwan's democratization, revenge the destruction of their party and their aspirations. A pilgrimage to China will also diminish Taiwan, thereby diminishing its government. As for the people of Taiwan, as far as the pan-blue camp is concerned, they can go to hell.
The treasonous behavior of Lien and Soong will force the people of Taiwan to take sides. Lee's demand is that we resist the forces that favor China over Taiwan. If Lien and Soong take the bait that China offers, Taiwan will face a clear and present danger. How can the people of Taiwan stand by and do nothing?
Lien and Soong may think they have a done deal, but do they not see that public opinion is arming itself against them? The people will not tolerate China reaching into our backyard, nor will they tolerate an "alien regime" allying with China.
With China's "Anti-Secession" Law and local politicians "joining with China to control Taiwan," what options do the people have? The time has come "to resist the invader and root out traitors."
Chin Heng-wei is editor-in-chief of Contemporary Monthly magazine.
Translated by Ian Bartholomew
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