According to a recent opinion poll, over 50 percent of residents of Kinmen and Matsu believe that the small three links will bring more disadvantages than advantages to them. As many as 83 percent of them are highly concerned about local crime problems. Meanwhile, Kinmen officials admitted that at least two-thirds of local residents do not support the small three links. Under the circumstances, one cannot help but wonder whether central government officials really care about what local residents think.
According to the MAC, the main purposes for implementing the small three links are to decriminalize certain essential economic activities which are currently illegal, to enhance the quality of life on the offshore islands, and to meet the residents' demands for the daily necessities of life. But government policies only allow cargo vessels to conduct direct trade and shipping with China. Fishing boats are excluded from the category, although they are widely used by Kinmen and Matsu residents. Besides, direct shipping to any harbor in China, other than those in Xiamen and Fuzhou, is still a punishable offense. As the policy can hardly meet the genuine needs of Kinmen and Matsu residents, it is destined to bring only limited benefits.
It is an open secret that direct trade and transportation between Taiwan's offshore islands and China has been going on for years. Kinmen and Matsu residents who engage in such activities in violation of the law, however, are seldom punished since government officials usually choose to turn a blind eye. As a consequence, in view of the strict regulations imposed by the small three links, it is questionable whether the new policy will actually loosen the restrictions. Meanwhile, in the absence of cross-strait negotiations, direct shipping will be a one-sided affair, since Beijing has made no response to the policy so far. Can such a policy really bring prosperity and development to Kinmen and Matsu? Moreover, since the policy was made in a rush, the relevant supplementary measures are either incomplete or non-existent. This has caused Kinmen and Matsu residents to fear that they might become Chen's guinea pigs and get nothing except suffering from the policy.
It is essential that our government leaders ensure policies are carefully and fully thought out and implemented. Only by understanding the real problems and the people's true needs can a good policy be made. That is how the government can earn people's trust and support.
Yeh Chin-fong is a foundation fellow of the National Security Division at the National Policy Foundation.
Translated by Eddy Chang
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