After ruling Taiwan for decades, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) is finally considering amending its charter to reflect a shift toward Taiwan-centered consciousness. This is a step in the KMT's democratic transformation. However, it has also encountered strong resistance from the party's conservative elements, highlighting the fact that this nearly century-old party still carries a lot of historical baggage.
The KMT has had so many difficulties standing in the way of internal reform that even a 10-year chairmanship under a strong democratic proponent like former president Lee Teng-hui (
Despite what the KMT old guard might think, dictator Chiang Kai-shek (
With next year's presidential election approaching, the KMT is facing yet another chance to win back the government it lost more than seven years ago. To boost its presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou's (
The reform of the party charter, however, does not mean wholesale change is to be expected. If the KMT really wants to win the hearts of the public, it must focus on Taiwan. It must also strive to make the will of Taiwanese people the will of the party, and the party's interests must be made to coincide with the interests of Taiwan. This is the only way for the KMT to compete with the DPP and for Taiwanese democracy to continue to develop.
Some KMT hardliners are concerned that amending the party charter would alienate their core supporters. The fact is the party is only trying to water down its unification stance to avoid polarizing debates on unification or independence. Focusing on the DPP government's achievements, or lack thereof, would be a more effective strategy. Besides, recent political changes and elections around the world show that parties are moving toward the center and that ideologies are becoming blurred in the bid to lure voter support.
Regardless of whether it is to promote the party's future development, improve its chances in next year's presidential election, for democratic reasons, or for the sake of Taiwan, the change is a small but welcome development.
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