There is nothing wrong with a Taiwanese political leader making a trip to visit China, Taiwan's rival, so long as he or she does so as a private citizen, and not in the capacity of a political representative. Such representation can only be earned with a mandate given by the 23 million people of Taiwan.
Lien failed twice in a row to earn a mandate. He and the next chairman of the party must first win the support of the majority of Taiwanese people before any meaningful dialogue and political negotiation with the People's Republic of China (PRC) can be substantiated with legitimacy. The KMT has no choice but to seek the consent -- or better yet proper authorization -- of the government before making the trip.
The biggest problem with Lien is that he has failed to give democracy a chance in Taiwan. He trashed the presidency, the very symbol of the highest political status in Taiwan that he sought but failed to earn, because of his dislike of President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁). He was beaten twice by Chen. We should all recall that Lien purposely left Taiwan for Singapore en route to Europe while he was still the official Vice President of the Republic of China, exactly 11 hours before the official inauguration of Chen on May 20, 2000.
By refusing to attend the inauguration in the year 2000 and again last year, Lien has not only trashed the presidency, but also refused to pay tribute, due respect and appreciation to millions of his supporters who exercised their democratic rights in the process.
Once again, he continues to trash the presidency, which also encourages the PRC to belittle Chen and weaken Taiwan by arranging a trip to China on behalf of the KMT without due respect to the governing Democratic Progressive Party.
I hope Taiwanese voters will punish the KMT through the ballot box in the next election to prove that democracy is working in Taiwan.
James Chou
Vancouver, Canada
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