The importation of two giant pandas from China is part of Beijing’s strategy to “internalize” the Taiwan issue and likely an attempt by the Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) administration to divert public attention from its lackluster performance, some political watchers said yesterday.
With all eyes fixed on the arrival of the two endangered animals in Taiwan yesterday, few paid attention to China’s maneuver to bypass the international export treaty for endangered species classifying the transport of the two pandas as a “domestic transfer.”
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora stipulates that the transfer of endangered species between two countries must abide by the covenant. The CITES Secretariat, however, said on Monday that it considered China’s export of the two pandas as “domestic trade.”
PHOTO: AFP
Taiwan Society secretary-general Lo Chih-cheng (羅致政) said the importation of the two animals was an overt attempt by Beijing to push toward its goal of Taiwan’s de jure unification with China and part of its strategy to “internalize” the Taiwan question.
“The former Democratic Progressive Party [DPP] government internationalized the Taiwan issue, but the Chinese Nationalist Party [KMT] administration cooperates with Beijing to internalize it,” he said.
It is manifest in the four agreements signed by the both sides, Lo said. Taking the example of direct cross-strait flights, all airports open for such services are “domestic.” The cross-strait food safety mechanism does not need to go through the international health organization either, he said.
“Beijing has a comprehensive strategy of cross-strait relations and is gradually working toward its ultimate goal of de jure unification,” he said.
Criticizing the timing of the importation of the two animals, Lo said he suspected it was an attempt by the Ma administration to distract public attention from the government’s inability to address economic issues and the soaring unemployment rate.
“It costs a lot to keep the two giant pandas. Why don’t they spend the money on children’s school lunches?” he said.
While some families can not make ends meet or even find a job, Lo said the government had put the disadvantaged under pressure because they were unlikely to be able to afford to take their children to the zoo to see the pandas.
“Does the government plan to issue panda vouchers?” he said. “What they are doing is rubbing salt in their wound.”
Chen Yen-hui (陳延輝), a professor at National Taiwan Normal University’s Graduate Institute of Political Science, agreed that the importation of the two pandas was Beijing’s attempt to “internalize” the Taiwan question.
“It is very clear,” he said. “It is Beijing’s ‘united front’ strategy to make the international community think that Taiwan is part of China.”
He, however, said he did not think the timing was questionable.
“It looks a little bit suspicious, but I think it is more of a coincidence meant to coincide with the Lunar New Year and reflect the easing tension between both sides,” he said.
Leou Chia-feng (柳嘉峰), executive director of the Institute for National Development, also said the pandas are an example of Beijing’s systematic strategy of “internalizing” the Taiwan issue.
“From direct transportation links to pandas, Beijing has never changed its policy and is working toward its goal step by step,” Leou said. “Beijing’s strategy toward Taiwan is similar to the one toward Hong Kong. ‘As long as you listen to me, I will keep giving you small favors.’”
During the DPP’s eight years in power, Leou said the pro-independence administration insisted that the exchange of the two animals be made between two states and abide by the CITES. Only seven months after Ma took office, the two giant pandas managed to come to Taiwan, Leou said.
“Apparently, there must have been some kind of compromise or concession made during the negotiation process with Beijing,” he said. “The KMT is simply too naive to believe that there is nothing wrong with making small sacrifices in exchange for something in return.”
While the KMT administration said it was just following a precedent set by the former DPP government in importing endangered plants and animals, Leou said the main difference between the two governments was that the Ma administration did not seem to mind letting Beijing set the political agenda.
As long as Taipei accepted its terms, Leou said, Beijing did not mind giving Taipei some small favors because it would maximize its interests and it would not change its Taiwan policy.
Some have proposed changing the names of the two animals to shake off the political connotation. Leou, however, said that this would not alter the fact that they were considered a “domestic transfer” in the eyes of Beijing and the world.
“I don’t think Beijing would mind a bit if the names were changed, because what matters to them is whether they are in control of the situation and things are going the way they expect,” he said. “The Taiwanese public must heed the ulterior motive rather than superficial matters such as the names of the animals.”
‘DENIAL DEFENSE’: The US would increase its military presence with uncrewed ships, and submarines, while boosting defense in the Indo-Pacific, a Pete Hegseth memo said The US is reorienting its military strategy to focus primarily on deterring a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, a memo signed by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth showed. The memo also called on Taiwan to increase its defense spending. The document, known as the “Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance,” was distributed this month and detailed the national defense plans of US President Donald Trump’s administration, an article in the Washington Post said on Saturday. It outlines how the US can prepare for a potential war with China and defend itself from threats in the “near abroad,” including Greenland and the Panama
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) is maintaining close ties with Beijing, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said yesterday, hours after a new round of Chinese military drills in the Taiwan Strait began. Political parties in a democracy have a responsibility to be loyal to the nation and defend its sovereignty, DPP spokesman Justin Wu (吳崢) told a news conference in Taipei. His comments came hours after Beijing announced via Chinese state media that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command was holding large-scale drills simulating a multi-pronged attack on Taiwan. Contrary to the KMT’s claims that it is staunchly anti-communist, KMT Deputy
RESPONSE: The government would investigate incidents of Taiwanese entertainers in China promoting CCP propaganda online in contravention of the law, the source said Taiwanese entertainers living in China who are found to have contravened cross-strait regulations or collaborated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) could be subject to fines, a source said on Sunday. Several Taiwanese entertainers have posted on the social media platform Sina Weibo saying that Taiwan “must be returned” to China, and sharing news articles from Chinese state media. In response, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has asked the Ministry of Culture to investigate whether the entertainers had contravened any laws, and asked for them to be questioned upon their return to Taiwan, an official familiar with the matter said. To curb repeated
Myanmar has turned down an offer of assistance from Taiwanese search-and-rescue teams after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the nation on Friday last week, saying other international aid is sufficient, the National Fire Agency said yesterday. More than 1,700 have been killed and 3,400 injured in the quake that struck near the central Myanmar city of Mandalay early on Friday afternoon, followed minutes later by a magnitude 6.7 aftershock. Worldwide, 13 international search-and-rescue teams have been deployed, with another 13 teams mobilizing, the agency said. Taiwan’s search-and-rescue teams were on standby, but have since been told to stand down, as
RSS