On Feb. 28 last year, over 2 million people formed a human chain across Taiwan in the 228 Hand-in-Hand rally to protest China's military threats.
Many had tears in their eyes when they held each other's hands.
They were touched because they were not only campaigning for President Chen Shui-bian (
Such affection was passed on as individuals gathered their power through their hands and hearts.
What it showed was not only a 500km human chain, but also the growing mainstream Taiwan awareness.
When then-president Lee Teng-hui (
As the Bible says in Exodus, Joshua led the Jewish people to overcome hardship and build their own country in the promised land.
Taiwan's transformation into a normal country is like this promised land, and making a new constitution and rectifying the nation's name are two milestones on the path to completing that process.
This is also the sacred mission passed on from Lee to Chen. The two have often been portrayed as Moses and Joshua.
Unfortunately, Chen has lost himself in the tides of power since entering the post-Joshua era in his second term.
Obviously, in order to build his historical status, he has attempted to rewrite his version of Exodus.
On the scales of ideals and power, he has chosen to lean toward power.
The ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) "middle way" has been replaced by the "one China" principle, and the party's campaign promises of a new constitution and rectification of the national title are nothing but pie in the sky.
During his meeting with People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (
Now that he's become like Doctor Faustus -- who sold his soul to the devil -- how will he face his voters who supported him wholeheartedly?
Today, the biggest crisis in Taiwan's society is the loss of a clear direction for the country, and it will be a catastrophe if the helmsman of the state loses his direction.
The DPP's flag seems to be prophetic, as the white cross on the flag clearly shows that, from colonial rule to this day, Taiwan has hesitated at the crossroads, without being able to choose a direction and destination.
By hiding behind the stated intent to maintain the status quo in order to find a resting place for the nation, Chen is actually just making an excuse, because he dares not face Taiwan's future.
In fact, the lack of clarity on Taiwan's status is the original sin behind its hesitation at the crossroad.
The Taiwanese people helped Chen win reelection with their precious votes. In the post-Joshua era, it is a great moment for him to build his historical status.
The 228 Incident memorial day was a symbol of Taiwan consciousness.
If the pan-green camp really gives up its insistence on a new constitution and national title rectification, can Chen clearly declare in which direction Taiwan will head?
How can it become a normal country and reach the promised land?
Chen Chien-ming is the secretary-general of the Taiwan Solidarity Union.
TRANSLATED BY EDDY CHANG
The gutting of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) by US President Donald Trump’s administration poses a serious threat to the global voice of freedom, particularly for those living under authoritarian regimes such as China. The US — hailed as the model of liberal democracy — has the moral responsibility to uphold the values it champions. In undermining these institutions, the US risks diminishing its “soft power,” a pivotal pillar of its global influence. VOA Tibetan and RFA Tibetan played an enormous role in promoting the strong image of the US in and outside Tibet. On VOA Tibetan,
Sung Chien-liang (宋建樑), the leader of the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) efforts to recall Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Kun-cheng (李坤城), caused a national outrage and drew diplomatic condemnation on Tuesday after he arrived at the New Taipei City District Prosecutors’ Office dressed in a Nazi uniform. Sung performed a Nazi salute and carried a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf as he arrived to be questioned over allegations of signature forgery in the recall petition. The KMT’s response to the incident has shown a striking lack of contrition and decency. Rather than apologizing and distancing itself from Sung’s actions,
US President Trump weighed into the state of America’s semiconductor manufacturing when he declared, “They [Taiwan] stole it from us. They took it from us, and I don’t blame them. I give them credit.” At a prior White House event President Trump hosted TSMC chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家), head of the world’s largest and most advanced chip manufacturer, to announce a commitment to invest US$100 billion in America. The president then shifted his previously critical rhetoric on Taiwan and put off tariffs on its chips. Now we learn that the Trump Administration is conducting a “trade investigation” on semiconductors which
By now, most of Taiwan has heard Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an’s (蔣萬安) threats to initiate a vote of no confidence against the Cabinet. His rationale is that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-led government’s investigation into alleged signature forgery in the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) recall campaign constitutes “political persecution.” I sincerely hope he goes through with it. The opposition currently holds a majority in the Legislative Yuan, so the initiation of a no-confidence motion and its passage should be entirely within reach. If Chiang truly believes that the government is overreaching, abusing its power and targeting political opponents — then
RSS