A rally organized by the World Taiwanese Congress (WTC) hits the street today to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the first transfer of political power in Taiwan. Among the individuals chanting the rally slogan "love Taiwan -- unite" are national policy advisor to the president Alice King (
In view of President Chen Shui-bian's (
If Chen does realize this, then he should be seriously examining two issues -- how to integrate the pro-independence camp and how to make constructive use of the support of overseas Taiwanese.
The pro-independence camp is split about the rally. While some high-ranking DPP party officials are participating, the DPP has not officially mobilized party members for the rally.
Such low-profile DPP participation was also recently seen in the anti-nuclear rally on Feb. 24 this year. In addition to an eagerness to shed its "street-fighting" image, the DPP is trying to avoid placing Chen in an even more awkward situation by agitating China or the opposition.
The Taiwan Independence Party actually declined participation in the rally. The party has grown increasingly dissatisfied with Chen for expressing goodwill toward China and making concessions toward pro-unification groups in Taiwan.
This split in attitude toward the rally reveals a more general and profound division of the pro-independence camp over whether independence is already a reality or a reality yet to be accomplished.
If the latter is true, further divisions exist over whether independence should be accomplished gradually. Chen should not slight the seriousness of this division, when even his own national policy advisor King has openly indicated that "the so-called new-middle path is sometimes unclear."
With pro-unification groups feeling animosity toward him, and the moderates disappointed with his governance, it is imperative that Chen integrate the pro-independence camp. Chen needs to increase communication with pro-independence groups on the reasons and pragmatism of his new-middle path, and open channels for expression of dissatisfaction to avoid loose-cannon remarks that embarrass him.
The next question is how to integrate the support of overseas Taiwanese. The ability of overseas Taiwanese to elevate Taiwan's international standing should not be underestimated. This is especially true in countries such as the US where the Taiwanese community is not only large, but also wealthy.
Unfortunately, many, if not a majority, of overseas Taiwanese are relatively disinterested in politics, despite possessing a shrew business sense. We need to encourage their political participation so that they can be empowered to help Taiwan. After all, wealth without political empowerment makes them easy prey of mainstream societies.
We also have overseas Taiwanese who feel a sense of mission about the establishment of a future utopian "Taiwan Republic." These people are typically intellectuals who left Taiwan many years ago during the height of the white terror period. On the one hand, we should recognize their continuous contributions overseas to the democratic reforms of Taiwan. On the other hand, because they have been away from Taiwan for so long, we need to ensure that they sing from the same hymnal as the rest of us.
Hopefully, President Chen will see the rally as something more than an occasion to pat himself on the back.
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