Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) frequently accuses the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of using smear tactics to attack the KMT. However, should Chu fail to appropriately respond to the following points, it would be proof of the KMT’s pro-Chinese Communist Party (CPP) and pro-unification stance. The public would remember this clearly — there is no need to accuse the DPP of smear tactics.
First, does the KMT’s stance on the Republic of China (ROC) include China or is it limited to Taiwan, including Penghu, Kinmen and Lienchiang counties?
The Additional Articles of the Constitution of the Republic of China (中華民國憲法增修條文) define the ROC’s effective governing area as limited to “Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu” — yet the KMT consistently insists that China is part of the ROC’s sovereign territory. In that case, does the party hope to provoke a dispute with the CCP or is it engaging in ambiguity?
Second, despite KMT legislators and high-ranking officials having repeatedly shown favor toward the CCP — accepting invitations, holding secret negotiations and openly honoring the CCP flag and Chinese national anthem — the party has responded indifferently. It has made no attempts to oppose or bring an end to this kind of behavior. It is only natural, then, that Taiwanese see the KMT as a pro-CCP, pro-unification party that would sell out Taiwan.
Third, the KMT opposes measures to safeguard the country and strengthen national defense. In addition to blocking the budget, it has also been involved in the stealing of confidential national defense documents and has even intimidated people, saying that Taiwan would have no choice but to go to war if it does not maintain friendly relations with the CCP.
If we lack a strong deterrent force in the face of the threat of invasion, are we supposed to simply place our hopes for peace on the goodwill of the CCP?
Should we not be worried about repeating the mistake of the “Chongqing Negotiations” — short-lived peace talks that ultimately failed to end the CCP’s military actions and led to the KMT’s defeat in the Chinese Civil War — all over again?
Next, why does the KMT so often cooperate with the CCP in making sentimental appeals based on cultural righteousness, begging Taiwanese to view themselves as Chinese, as if we are all part of some big CCP family?
Even a century-old political party could not distinguish between a country and a culture — national identity and cultural heritage cannot be conflated. Having similar cultural sentiments does not necessarily equate to accepting the same national identity.
Finally, the KMT only has one more legislative seat than the DPP, but its lawmakers have consistently proposed amendments in the Legislative Yuan that could very well destroy the constitutional foundation of our nation.
These include weakening the powers of the Constitutional Court, eliminating state oversight of the media, increasing KMT-controlled local government budgets and weakening that of the central government, and expanding the Legislative Yuan’s power to encroach on the executive’s authority over personnel — all in line with the CCP conspiracy to make the Legislative Yuan a battlefield.
Only after Chu is able to respond to the aforementioned issues and provide an adequate explanation to the public would he have the right to demand that the DPP end its smear campaigns.
Chen Chi-nung is a political commentator.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
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