Although the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has been in power for six years, it has yet to realize its pledge to improve Taiwan's democratic system.
The red-clad protesters demanding the resignation of President Chen Shui-bian (
This nation's tragic history throughout the 20th century still haunts Taiwanese.
Those who were exiled to the island following World War II have yet to identify themselves as Taiwanese and develop a sense of belonging to the island.
Chen does not appear to have a deep understanding of culture and history. Former president Chiang Ching-kuo (
The truth is that a feared or hated president can still rule a country, but a president unable to earn the respect of the public cannot.
The major problem facing Chen and the DPP is that they have been unable to rebuild or reform the nation. However, isn't it the KMT that should be held responsible for past failed policies? The unfinished war between the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party has made the Republic of China unable to establish itself as a normal, independent nation. Therefore, I wonder if the previous authoritarian regime shouldn't be held responsible for creating a government system that is incomplete and also mired in bureaucracy.
The DPP was once a socially conscious party with democratic ideals. With the KMT, the New Party and the People First Party lurching to the political right and playing up the issue of Chinese ethnicity, the DPP has also followed it, invoking Taiwanese ethnicity in response.
If Taiwan is to establish itself as a sovereign political entity, shouldn't political parties based on their political stance, whether it be right or left, conservative or progressive, work to contribute to the development of the nation, as they do in normal democracies?
Both Chen and the DPP should be held responsible for Taiwan's decline. However, the efforts made by the pan-blue camp and certain factions within the DPP criticizing the government are not entirely well-meaning, for they are often the result of long-standing feuds between both camps.
Taiwan still has a long and bumpy road to travel in protecting democratization and bringing about reconciliation.
Lee Min-yung is a poet.
TRANSLATED BY DANIEL CHENG
Recently, China launched another diplomatic offensive against Taiwan, improperly linking its “one China principle” with UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 to constrain Taiwan’s diplomatic space. After Taiwan’s presidential election on Jan. 13, China persuaded Nauru to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Nauru cited Resolution 2758 in its declaration of the diplomatic break. Subsequently, during the WHO Executive Board meeting that month, Beijing rallied countries including Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Belarus, Egypt, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Laos, Russia, Syria and Pakistan to reiterate the “one China principle” in their statements, and assert that “Resolution 2758 has settled the status of Taiwan” to hinder Taiwan’s
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s (李顯龍) decision to step down after 19 years and hand power to his deputy, Lawrence Wong (黃循財), on May 15 was expected — though, perhaps, not so soon. Most political analysts had been eyeing an end-of-year handover, to ensure more time for Wong to study and shadow the role, ahead of general elections that must be called by November next year. Wong — who is currently both deputy prime minister and minister of finance — would need a combination of fresh ideas, wisdom and experience as he writes the nation’s next chapter. The world that
The past few months have seen tremendous strides in India’s journey to develop a vibrant semiconductor and electronics ecosystem. The nation’s established prowess in information technology (IT) has earned it much-needed revenue and prestige across the globe. Now, through the convergence of engineering talent, supportive government policies, an expanding market and technologically adaptive entrepreneurship, India is striving to become part of global electronics and semiconductor supply chains. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision of “Make in India” and “Design in India” has been the guiding force behind the government’s incentive schemes that span skilling, design, fabrication, assembly, testing and packaging, and
Can US dialogue and cooperation with the communist dictatorship in Beijing help avert a Taiwan Strait crisis? Or is US President Joe Biden playing into Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) hands? With America preoccupied with the wars in Europe and the Middle East, Biden is seeking better relations with Xi’s regime. The goal is to responsibly manage US-China competition and prevent unintended conflict, thereby hoping to create greater space for the two countries to work together in areas where their interests align. The existing wars have already stretched US military resources thin, and the last thing Biden wants is yet another war.