The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are scheduled to hold a cross-strait economic and trade forum this month. Although it is called a KMT-CCP forum, the KMT here refers to the old KMT under the leadership of its previous chairman, Lien Chan (連戰), rather than today's KMT under the leadership of Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九).
This KMT-CCP economic forum was devised after Lien's visit to China and Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) in April last year, so that Lien would have the chance to continue influencing and "joining hands with the CPP in suppressing Taiwan" even after he stepped down. The CCP accepted Lien's proposal and decided that top officials in the Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), led by Chen Yunlin (陳雲林), should travel to Taiwan for the forum to allow the CCP to bring its "united front" strategy to Taiwanese soil on a massive scale.
Despite the threat of having its budget frozen by the opposition, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) refused Chen an entry visa. The council's action highlighted the fact that Taiwan is a sovereign nation independent of China, and it was a slap in the face of those who believe that "Taiwan is a part of China."
Even though Chen was not allowed to come to Taiwan, other TAO officials should, in theory, be able to travel here to push China's "united-front" strategy. CCP officials, however, regard "saving face" as an important thing. Taiwan's refusal to allow Chen to visit caused China to lose face, and when they found out that they could not bully Taiwan into giving in, they were forced to postpone the forum, which was originally planned for last December.
Aside from the Taiwanese government's refusal to allow Chen to visit the country to participate in the forum, another problem was that the KMT, under Ma, had shown no interest in Lien's single-handed attempt to ensure his legacy. Would Ma be able to continue to maintain his anti-communist stance if TAO officials were to come to Taiwan to promote China's "united front" strategy, or would he have to follow obediently in Lien's footsteps and accept the Chinese strategy? KMT Chinese Affairs Department Director Chang Rong-kung (張榮恭), who is enthusiastic about cross-strait cooperation, is in a dilemma as he serves two masters -- Lien and Ma. The issue dragged on for several months. The question was if the forum wasn't held this month, how would the first anniversary of Lien's China visit be celebrated?
The annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, which were held in Beijing last month, promoted an 11th five-year plan and the "building of a new socialist countryside." If the forum's goal now is the opening of the "three links" rather than trying to mobilize patriotic China-based Taiwanese businesspeople to invest in the "new countryside," the "united front" intention would be too obvious, and China would be letting its farmers down. If, however, China is concerned with opening the three links and feels that everyone must work toward achieving this goal, then that must be the forum's main emphasis. Otherwise, Chen would not be able to meet the CCP's expectations and Lien would also be letting the CCP down. So are Taiwanese compatriots more important than Chinese farmers?
As an issue for scientific study, the most valuable topic would be cross-strait economic and trade relations in the shadow of China's missile threat. Unfortunately, it is likely that the KMT wouldn't have the courage to mention the word "missile" as this could anger Bei-jing and cause the KMT to lose out on the great opportunity of "joining hands with the CCP in suppressing Taiwan."
Paul Lin is a political commentator based in New York.
Translated by Lin Ya-ti
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