Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Fan Yun (范雲) yesterday condemned as “bizarre” and insulting to patients comments by Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) on using diabetes as analogy for commenting on cross-strait relations when addressing the US business community on Tuesday.
When asked about Taiwan-China relations, Ko compared them to someone with diabetes during a special luncheon event in Taipei organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan.
“Maintaining the cross-strait status quo is like [treating] diabetes, you can only care for it, but you cannot cure it,” Ko was quoted as saying in Mandarin.
Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei Times
Like some forms of cancer, doctors do not need to try to cut it out completely, since coexisting with the cancer might lead to the patient living longer, he said.
“Therefore we need not solve the issue of ‘unification’ or ‘independence’ within three decades. If someone thinks it has to be resolved within this period, then they are not being pragmatic,” Ko said.
“Ko’s comparison is way off the mark, he is an international laughingstock,” Fan told reporters yesterday. “He has also disparaged people with diabetes, and must make a public apology.”
“China has always talked of mounting a military invasion against Taiwan, its warplanes intrude into our airspace and it is actively interfering in Taiwanese politics. Ko never thinks about how to end the impasse, he just gives up and accepts the current situation, allowing China to keep on bullying Taiwan while advocating coexisting with a potentially fatal illness,” she said.
Law professor Lin Chih-chieh (林志潔), who is contesting a legislative seat in Hsinchu City for the DPP, also criticized the TPP’s presidential candidate.
“Ko’s comparison to diabetes is too bizarre... Taiwan right now is more like an elderly person suffering from progressive loss of muscle mass. We need to consume lots of high-quality protein and nutrients, together with consistent exercise regimes, to enhance our body mass, muscle strength and boost our endurance, thereby preventing the weakening of our of legs,” Lin said.
Taiwan Statebuilding Party (TSP) Taipei chapter director Wu Hsin-tai (吳欣岱), who is also a doctor, had a different take.
“It is a rare thing, for me to agree with Ko... Our party has warned the public that China has been conducting a propaganda campaign, a cyberarmy carrying out ‘cognitive warfare,’ combined with hostile threats of military action and pressuring Taiwanese businesspeople to undermine Taiwan’s democratic foundations,” Wu wrote on social media.
“So it is just like being afflicted with diabetes, at first you are not aware of it, but the body’s functions and ability to control blood sugar levels gradually deteriorate. These progressively lead to complications to the nerve system, circulatory system and all major organs. For some this can result in the amputation of limbs, and heavy sufferers could have a stroke, with high fatality rate,” she said.
“When facing diabetes, you cannot just look away and pretend it is not there. Doing nothing will worsen the condition and could even result in dementia and brain damage,” she added.
“When asked by diabetes patients, I tell them to face it head on, to take good care of their bodies, with medication and proper exercise. Stay healthy for your loved ones. It is the same for Taiwan, we must be strong and safeguard our nation,” Wu said.
Wu characterized Ko and his party as “Chinese parasites” feeding off Taiwan to weaken it.
“Therefore people should support the TSP ... to boost Taiwan’s immune system and fortify the antibodies that fight against Chinese viruses and parasites,” she said.
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