Ma’s inaccurate language
In his recent teleconference with Harvard University, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) made the statement: “The time for unification at this stage is not ripe yet.”
In making this statement, Ma misrepresents social and political realities in Taiwan. It is certainly true that the time for unification between Taiwan and China is not ripe.
In using this particular language, however, Ma implies that Taiwanese are moving toward a time ripe for unification. In fact, public opinion polls in Taiwan indicate quite clearly that Taiwanese are moving in the opposite direction. A variety of polls from different organizations consistently show an increase in Taiwanese versus Chinese identity and a greater desire for formal, internationally recognized independence for Taiwan.
Why would the democratically elected leader of Taiwan choose to inaccurately represent the opinions and attitudes of his constituents?
In making this statement, Ma is trying to appease the leaders in Beijing who, of course, insist that unification with Taiwan is one of China’s core interests, and the deep-blue members of his party who still hold on to their dream of unification.
Ma’s appeasing language is very dangerous, however, because it sends the rest of the world the message that Taiwanese are moving toward a desire for unification and therefore encourages leaders in foreign governments to base their China and Taiwan policies on an inaccurate interpretation of trends in Taiwan.
Ma is well advised to remember that he was elected to represent the interests of the 23 million people in Taiwan, and not the feelings of the leaders in Beijing. He should be more careful in choosing his words. Given the diplomatic sensitivity of the issue, one might understand why Ma does not make the statement, “the time for independence is not ripe yet,” but he could certainly make the statement, “the time for the 23 million people of Taiwan to formally decide on their future status is not ripe yet.”
This language more accurately represents the realities in Taiwan and demonstrates the kind of ambiguity that Ma claims to love so much when he discusses his “1992 consensus.”
Don Rodgers
Visiting Associate Professor of Political Science at Soochow University,
Taipei
The gutting of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) by US President Donald Trump’s administration poses a serious threat to the global voice of freedom, particularly for those living under authoritarian regimes such as China. The US — hailed as the model of liberal democracy — has the moral responsibility to uphold the values it champions. In undermining these institutions, the US risks diminishing its “soft power,” a pivotal pillar of its global influence. VOA Tibetan and RFA Tibetan played an enormous role in promoting the strong image of the US in and outside Tibet. On VOA Tibetan,
There is much evidence that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is sending soldiers from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — and is learning lessons for a future war against Taiwan. Until now, the CCP has claimed that they have not sent PLA personnel to support Russian aggression. On 18 April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelinskiy announced that the CCP is supplying war supplies such as gunpowder, artillery, and weapons subcomponents to Russia. When Zelinskiy announced on 9 April that the Ukrainian Army had captured two Chinese nationals fighting with Russians on the front line with details
On a quiet lane in Taipei’s central Daan District (大安), an otherwise unremarkable high-rise is marked by a police guard and a tawdry A4 printout from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicating an “embassy area.” Keen observers would see the emblem of the Holy See, one of Taiwan’s 12 so-called “diplomatic allies.” Unlike Taipei’s other embassies and quasi-consulates, no national flag flies there, nor is there a plaque indicating what country’s embassy this is. Visitors hoping to sign a condolence book for the late Pope Francis would instead have to visit the Italian Trade Office, adjacent to Taipei 101. The death of
By now, most of Taiwan has heard Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an’s (蔣萬安) threats to initiate a vote of no confidence against the Cabinet. His rationale is that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-led government’s investigation into alleged signature forgery in the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) recall campaign constitutes “political persecution.” I sincerely hope he goes through with it. The opposition currently holds a majority in the Legislative Yuan, so the initiation of a no-confidence motion and its passage should be entirely within reach. If Chiang truly believes that the government is overreaching, abusing its power and targeting political opponents — then
RSS