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Shame on the KMT

As a child I only knew of Taiwan from the "Made in Taiwan" mark stamped on the bottom of most of my plastic toys. I asked my father innumerable times where Taiwan was and I received the answer "It's in China." But of course I was confused, as I had other toys stamped with "Made in China" on them. Why did they not have one label?

Now I am living in Taiwan. I have been here for more than three years, am well aware of country's history and have keenly watched Taiwanese politics. I am truly astounded at the long history of struggle that Taiwan has ventured through in its history and I am glad to see the great pride that the Taiwanese people take in knowing that their country has fought its way to near the top of the world in the quality of economic, social and political conditions.

Sadly however it has become increasingly clear that some Taiwanese do not respect the laws and political freedoms of the Taiwanese people.

During the last 12 months I have watched the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) continuously disobey the law and attempt to usurp the legal rights of all Taiwanese. First I was stunned to see KMT Chairman Lien Chen (連戰), People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) and the rest of the pan-blue alliance preposterously claim that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and the Democratic Progressive Party could have engineered the March 19 shooting to gain sympathy votes. In the following months the KMT laid siege to the law by requesting that the government follow various courses of illegal action -- such as annulling the election -- when the law already provided a legitimate process.

Lien claimed that his chosen courses of action were to be done in the name of justice. But it was demonstrably clear that his recommended actions would only circumvent the law. The pan-blue camp made an already delicate situation even worse by whipping their supporters into an emotional frenzy and fanning the flames of division. Now, more than a year since the incident and after a succession of legal defeats, the KMT will still not concede the election.

After a year of such behavior from the KMT, it's hard to believe they could do anything worse. But their recent actions defy any rational explanation if one is remotely inclined towards democratic principles. The lack of participation in the March 26 rally was a surprise. One would think that China's "Anti-Secession" Law posed enough of a threat to Taiwan for all political parties to unite and show the country's strong opposition to China's heavy-handed threats.

However, the KMT couldn't swallow its pride for the greater good of country -- not even for one day. Now we know why. The KMT was going to China.

The KMT delegation's trip to China was a kick in the teeth for all Taiwanese. The KMT may argue that the trip advanced cross strait relations, but this is far from the truth. They might have a point, if they were the government and were democratically elected to represent the Taiwanese people. But the trip only reinforced China's Anti-Secession Law and strengthened Beijing's position in its attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the democratically elected government.

All Taiwanese should be thoroughly incensed that the KMT has such little respect for the nation's sovereignty and the rule of law. The KMT trip has only served to reinforce the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) belief that they can divide and conquer the people of Taiwan. Sadly, it seems the KMT is willing to deal with the devil to gain back whatever power it can, even if that undermines Taiwan's democracy and puts Taiwan's sovereignty in greater danger.

Hopefully the KMT will change its ways, or be forced to change by pressure from all Taiwanese.The KMT should put more effort into uniting all Taiwanese and acting according to their wishes, rather than serving China's interest of dividing the Taiwanese and weakening Taiwan.

The KMT's machinations with China are doomed to fail. Taiwan is no longer a fledgling democratic nation, but one that has earned its wings, and I trust the Taiwanese people will not give it up so easily. The lure of money and power may entice many to tow the CCP line, but it will never enhance Taiwan's status as a democratic nation committed to the principles of an open society and to social, economic and political freedom.

David May
Taiwan
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