A rally organized by the World Taiwanese Congress (WTC) hits the street today to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the first transfer of political power in Taiwan. Among the individuals chanting the rally slogan "love Taiwan -- unite" are national policy advisor to the president Alice King (
In view of President Chen Shui-bian's (
If Chen does realize this, then he should be seriously examining two issues -- how to integrate the pro-independence camp and how to make constructive use of the support of overseas Taiwanese.
The pro-independence camp is split about the rally. While some high-ranking DPP party officials are participating, the DPP has not officially mobilized party members for the rally.
Such low-profile DPP participation was also recently seen in the anti-nuclear rally on Feb. 24 this year. In addition to an eagerness to shed its "street-fighting" image, the DPP is trying to avoid placing Chen in an even more awkward situation by agitating China or the opposition.
The Taiwan Independence Party actually declined participation in the rally. The party has grown increasingly dissatisfied with Chen for expressing goodwill toward China and making concessions toward pro-unification groups in Taiwan.
This split in attitude toward the rally reveals a more general and profound division of the pro-independence camp over whether independence is already a reality or a reality yet to be accomplished.
If the latter is true, further divisions exist over whether independence should be accomplished gradually. Chen should not slight the seriousness of this division, when even his own national policy advisor King has openly indicated that "the so-called new-middle path is sometimes unclear."
With pro-unification groups feeling animosity toward him, and the moderates disappointed with his governance, it is imperative that Chen integrate the pro-independence camp. Chen needs to increase communication with pro-independence groups on the reasons and pragmatism of his new-middle path, and open channels for expression of dissatisfaction to avoid loose-cannon remarks that embarrass him.
The next question is how to integrate the support of overseas Taiwanese. The ability of overseas Taiwanese to elevate Taiwan's international standing should not be underestimated. This is especially true in countries such as the US where the Taiwanese community is not only large, but also wealthy.
Unfortunately, many, if not a majority, of overseas Taiwanese are relatively disinterested in politics, despite possessing a shrew business sense. We need to encourage their political participation so that they can be empowered to help Taiwan. After all, wealth without political empowerment makes them easy prey of mainstream societies.
We also have overseas Taiwanese who feel a sense of mission about the establishment of a future utopian "Taiwan Republic." These people are typically intellectuals who left Taiwan many years ago during the height of the white terror period. On the one hand, we should recognize their continuous contributions overseas to the democratic reforms of Taiwan. On the other hand, because they have been away from Taiwan for so long, we need to ensure that they sing from the same hymnal as the rest of us.
Hopefully, President Chen will see the rally as something more than an occasion to pat himself on the back.
After nine days of holidays for the Lunar New Year, government agencies and companies are to reopen for operations today, including the Legislative Yuan. Many civic groups are expected to submit their recall petitions this week, aimed at removing many Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers from their seats. Since December last year, the KMT and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) passed three controversial bills to paralyze the Constitutional Court, alter budgetary allocations and make recalling elected officials more difficult by raising the threshold. The amendments aroused public concern and discontent, sparking calls to recall KMT legislators. After KMT and TPP legislators again
Taiwan faces complex challenges like other Asia-Pacific nations, including demographic decline, income inequality and climate change. In fact, its challenges might be even more pressing. The nation struggles with rising income inequality, declining birthrates and soaring housing costs while simultaneously navigating intensifying global competition among major powers. To remain competitive in the global talent market, Taiwan has been working to create a more welcoming environment and legal framework for foreign professionals. One of the most significant steps in this direction was the enactment of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals (外國專業人才延攬及僱用法) in 2018. Subsequent amendments in
US President Donald Trump on Saturday signed orders to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China effective from today. Trump decided to slap 25 percent tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada as well as 10 percent on those coming from China, but would only impose a 10 percent tariff on Canadian energy products, including oil and electricity. Canada and Mexico on Sunday quickly responded with retaliatory tariffs against the US, while countermeasures from China are expected soon. Nevertheless, Trump announced yesterday to delay tariffs on Mexico and Canada for a month and said he would hold further talks with
Taiwan’s undersea cables connecting it to the world were allegedly severed several times by a Chinese ship registered under a flag of convenience. As the vessel sailed, it used several different automatic identification systems (AIS) to create fake routes. That type of “shadow fleet” and “gray zone” tactics could create a security crisis in Taiwan and warrants response measures. The concept of a shadow fleet originates from the research of Elisabeth Braw, senior fellow at the Washington-based Atlantic Council. The phenomenon was initiated by authoritarian countries such as Iran, North Korea and Russia, which have been hit by international economic