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The path to freedom must not be abandoned

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) has completed his journey of reconciliation between the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The international media believes that his trip was historically significant. But the Taiwanese people must insist on our own stance. Although this is just a tiny land, we must think twice whether to put its future in the hands of the notorious KMT.

After the power transition in 2000, the KMT has gradually declined. A few KMT politicians have now attempted to extend their political lives by mobilizing the old, decrepit party machine and creating interest for a visit to China. Meanwhile, the CCP has attempted to take advantage of the situation by making a five-point statement which, on the surface, seems favorable to Taiwan.

We would like to ask: Can the Taiwanese people's will to seek independence and autonomy be bought away so cheaply? After a hundred years of colonial oppression, will the fundamental nature of Taiwan's colonial system simply vanish into thin air due to the KMT-CCP reconciliation?

The reason that Taiwan is able to remain prosperous and calm today is that the international community needs the "Taiwan issue" to maintain the balance of power in both the Taiwan Strait and East Asia. In the past, the US acknowledged that there is only "one China" in exchange for China's promise of cross-strait peace. But a few decades later, President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) government is still upholding the system of the Republic of China (ROC), hoping that international society will recognize its political independence. This is of course something that the US is strongly opposed to. Chen's new diplomatic path is actually the KMT's old path that failed in the past. No wonder pro-independence activists must seek substantial breakthroughs through a series of large-scale public movements.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was able to take power not because the Taiwanese people completely identified themselves with Chen's campaign slogan "Happiness, Hope, Chen Shui-bian." Rather, they thirsted for basic human rights which were denied under the KMT government's long-term rule, and hoped to see a new era of healthy political development.

The election results from last year show that Chen, by adopting the KMT's political thinking, was already being questioned by his supporters. Unfortunately, he did not reconsider his position. Instead, he took a shortcut and united with People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜), who has always held an opposing point of view. This is not only a strategic mistake, but also a mistake in principle and the abandonment of his supporters.

When Chen received Lien's call informing him of Lien's trip to China, he was just like a person trying to tightly grasp Lien's suit so as not to be left behind. It seemed that he forgot his severe accusations when he reported to the Taiwanese people that China had deployed more than 700 ballistic missiles against Taiwan.

The mutual prosperity and benefits that might follow on a "greater Chinese economic zone" arouses many people's fantasy. But we must not forget that China's history of ethnic integration, cooperation and progress is also full of bloodletting and famine. Besides, the Chinese people have not had a taste of being their own masters under the CCP's one-party autocracy. Since Taiwan already has accomplished both democratization and modernization, how could this be rashly abandoned in order to be manipulated by others?

The road the Taiwanese people must take is still the one that cherishes our homeland, and leads to an independent, free, equal and modern society.

Su Beng is the founder of the Su Beng Educational Foundation.

Translated by Eddy Chang
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