But the greatest damage has been caused by the legitimization of a course of action that is tantamount to financing our enemies. The policy of "active opening" creates the false impression that China is a benefactor, rather than an enemy, so that when former KMT chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) "joined hands with China against Taiwan," the public response was one of apathy.
The policy was also responsible for the rout of the pan-green camp in the three-in-one local elections last December.
It is at the very heart of China's strategy to "promote unification through economics" and to "apply political pressure through commerce." As long as Taiwan persists with this flawed policy, the pro-China lobby will grow stronger and, ultimately, China will swallow this country whole.
Realizing the danger of the policy of "active opening," Chen has proposed "active management" as the country's new direction.
He must be allowed to take the next logical step and abolish the National Unification Council and the Guidelines for National Unification.
Otherwise, these anachronisms will lead Taiwan down the treacherous path to "unification" with China.
Huang Tien-lin is a national policy adviser to the president.
TRANSLATED BY LIN YA-TI
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