How to win the year-end elections

Although the elections will deal with some local issues, as in the US, political ideology comprises most of the debate.

The pan-green camp must discard its unclear, middle-of-the-road policies and clearly distance itself from the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) on China policy, Taiwan’s status and its future.

It must make its position on Taiwan’s sovereignty clear and launch a strong attack against the Ma administration’s pro-China and pro-Chinese Communist Party policies. It should have the courage to use slogans like “Say no to unification, protect Taiwan” and to employ these ideals to build consensus and improve its public image. At the same time, it must avoid empty slogans like “Show concern for disadvantaged groups” and “Work hard for your constituents.”

If Taiwanese lose Taiwan, their own free home, they will end up slaves — just like the Chinese. Only by promoting the ideal that the public is the master of the country will the pan-green camp stand a chance of winning the year-end elections.

Cao Changqing is a writer based in the US.

TRANSLATED BY DREW CAMERON