Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) Chairman Shu Chin-chiang (
It is shocking to hear that the TSU, which has long upheld the "Taiwan-first" spirit, is considering a revision of its China policy. It's especially surprising given that the TSU is at odds with the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for its "betrayal of Taiwan consciousness" in cooperating with the People First Party.
The TSU is committing the same sins it accuses the DPP of committing. By dancing to the tune of "China fever" -- which the TSU seems to be doing, despite Shu's denial -- the party will disappoint its supporters, who voted for it because of its adherence to a Taiwan-centered consciousness.
If the TSU tries to follow in the footsteps of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the PFP in cross-strait visits, it will lose its distinct political character and voters will abandon it in the year-end election. The National Assembly election in May has shown that the majority of voters were unimpressed by the "China fever" triggered by KMT Chairman Lien Chan (
It may be commendable that the TSU would try to help break the current cross-strait stalemate by pursuing possible cross-strait contacts. But there's little reason to think the TSU will be successful where even the sycophantic pan-blue camp has failed. President Chen Shui-bian's (
The KMT and PFP have surrendered to the "one China" principle in exchange for Beijing's favor. Will the TSU accept the "one China" principle in order to establish cross-party exchanges with the Chinese Communist Party? If the party sticks to its core policy of "one country on each side" of the Taiwan Strait -- as Shu claimed on Tuesday -- how could it possibly delude itself into thinking that China will roll out the red carpet?
In May's election, the TSU had an opportunity to win votes away from pan-green camp supporters who were disillusioned with Chen's constant waffling on cross-strait relations. Instead, it playing the wrong card -- opposing constitutional reform -- and so saw its influence diminished even more.
The year-end election for city mayors and county commissioners is only five months away, and the TSU can't afford to make another political mistake. The TSU should put an end to further discussion on revising its China policy, and as soon as possible.
In a bid to ease supporters' criticism, TSU Department of Policy Studies Director Lee Hsien-jen (
The TSU should stick to what it believes to be right and continue cultivating the public's Taiwan consciousness as Taiwan's strongest back-up in the face of China's political and military threats.
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