Ever since the Chen Shui-bian (
China's strategy sows discord and creates confusion here. Abandoning existing contact channels such as the Strait Exchange Foundation (SEF) and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), China is hiring pro-Beijing legislators in Taiwan to handle civic exchanges, thereby letting them gain political and economic benefits. In tasting those benefits, these legislators have forgotten the constituencies and voters they are supposed to represent. They shuttle between China and Taiwan and view themselves as Beijing's spokespeople. Even former American Institute in Taiwan chairman Nat Bellocchi has been puzzled by this development. Why are so many political figures running to China, asking to meet with its high officials?
In Matsu, local officials have even signed an agreement with the other side of the Strait -- without authorization from the central government. Other local chiefs, including the deputy mayor of Taipei City and the mayor of Hsinchu City, have visited China for city-to-city exchanges. All this activity has prompted SEF Chairman Koo Chen-fu (辜振甫) to express concern over the "localization of cross-strait affairs."
China's tactics may cause temporary distress in Taiwan, but Beijing will eventually find out that those politicians on the cross-strait shuttle do not have public support. They are political brokers at best. Nevertheless, China may be able to cause trouble in Taiwan by relying on this group of Uriah Heep-like toadies. They can only harm cross-strait relations because they can only cause misconceptions in China about Taiwan.
Wang Jin-pyng
While we would be happy to see a successful visit by Wang's delegation, we also have a few suggestions for him. Because Wang will be traveling in his capacity as Legislative Yuan speaker, he should select members of his delegation according to the proportion of seats held by each political party in the legislature, so as to reflect the plurality of political opinions in Taiwan. This way, the delegation can avoid the appearance of partisanship, which would undermine Wang's representativeness. Wang should also avoid being forced by pro-China lawmakers to say or behave inappropriately during the visit.
Wang's meeting with Chinese leaders will provide a unique opportunity, since in many ways they could be viewed as quasi-negotiations. Whatever Wang says will have to represent both official and public opinion in Taiwan. The Mainland Affairs Council will have to make good preparations for Wang's visit and the SEF should also send out people to help during the trip.
Wang's trip could herald the start of a new trend. Taiwan should be sending people across the Strait who can better represent the country and accurately present its opinions, instead of allowing political wanna-be's to be the only ones shuttling back and forth. Such a deployment could help reduce misunderstandings and perhaps even break the ice that has kept the Strait frozen for so long.
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