It is unfortunate that China is only intensifying efforts to damage Taiwan's interests. A few weeks ago, Beijing blocked Taiwan's participation as an observer in the World Health Assembly, an action that flies in the face of the idea of "medicine without borders." Now it is returning to another well-worn tactic: interfering with Taiwanese businesspeople operating in China.
On numerous occasions China has used its media outlets to warn Taiwanese businesspeople against supporting the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) or face the consequences.
Last year, Chi Mei Group chairman Hsu Wen-lung (許文龍), a firm supporter of President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), announced he would consider resigning from his post as a presidential advisor due to pressure from China. Then, three weeks ago, he resigned as group chairman.
In light of all this, it is risible that the Chinese government is wining and dining Chen Yu-hao (
Beijing frequently uses Taiwanese businesspeople of disrepute as tools with which to attack the government and the Taiwanese business community. Conversely, it wants nothing to do with businesspeople of good standing in the marketplace. Yet tactics of this nature are unlikely to win the hearts and minds of the Taiwanese people.
The "intelligence" Beijing has gathered from some of Taiwan's "old guard" -- dejected politicians, some businesspeople, old soldiers and retired intelligence agents -- amounts to little more than hyperbole. At best, it has been used to concoct clumsily one-sided stories.
Yet the Beijing authorities treasure this information and employ it in their efforts to develop important policies. Not surprisingly, all sorts of mistakes have resulted from this.
When, as in this case, ham-fisted political decisions intrude upon good economic management, it is little wonder that Beijing continues to force Taiwanese public opinion toward independence. How could one blame Taiwanese people for drawing a line in the sand and supporting "one country on each side" of the Taiwan Strait, hoping that their children can live a life free of totalitarian rule?
Beijing's victimizing of pro-DPP businesspeople is, paradoxically, good news for Taiwan. It brings into ever sharper relief the nature of China's evolving communist system. Taiwan's economy will bleed less and unemployment rates will drop as reputable enterprises are shut out of the Chinese market. China's excessively political intervention in economic activity will also weaken its currency.
Reputable and competitive enterprises need not succumb to this behavior. Instead, local enterprises can choose to set up factories outside China. There may be no other option for self-respecting businesses wishing not to associate with bankrupt opportunists of Chen Yu-hao's ilk and the people who employ him.
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