From 1949 to 1987, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) imposed 38 years of martial law in the name of resisting the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) after it fled to Taiwan, as it claimed to represent the Republic of China (ROC).
In 2000, the KMT lost the presidency after then-KMT vice chairman Lien Chan (連戰) competed against James Soong (宋楚瑜), who left the party to run as an independent candidate. Following this defeat, the KMT gradually shifted onto the pro-CCP path.
It is contradictory to change from being anti-CCP to pro-CCP. What was the reason for the party’s change in stance? In 2004, Lien and Soong ran on the same ticket, but after losing for the second time in a presidential election, the KMT thought it would never rule again.
However, in 2008, Taiwanese were fooled by Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), who won the presidency for the KMT and called himself a “new Taiwanese.” In 2012, they were fooled again. Nevertheless, Ma put an end to the party’s presidential bids.
After former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) concluded her second term last year, the KMT thought it would be its turn to govern. It nominated New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜), a so-called “Taiwanese,” to run in last year’s presidential election, while seeking in vain for support from then-Taiwan People’s Party chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲). Since the KMT lost the election, it has been haunted by its pro-CCP ideology. However, how could an anti-CCP party become pro-CCP? There could be several reasons.
First, it is just lip service. Their actions are just because they want to monopolize the power to rule.
Second, abandoning Taiwan and courting China demonstrates the logic of power, as the KMT and the CCP are Chinese parties.
Third, resisting the CCP was the business of former presidents Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) and Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國). What is the point now that they have both passed away?
Fourth, as the People’s Republic of China became the legitimate China, when would be the best time, if not now, to remedy its mistakes by making contributions?
Fifth, the KMT and the CCP are basically two birds of a feather.
Sixth, the KMT is obsessed with authoritarianism.
Seventh, it is just the same as the ailing dynasties in Chinese history.
Politicians once known for being patriotic and anti-CCP are the first to side with China. The ROC ruled in China for 38 years and in Taiwan for 76 years. Despite spending twice as much time in Taiwan as in China, the KMT still politically identifies with China. As the party has lost its legitimacy, it could only side with the legitimate China.
This demonstrates the logic of the legitimacy of a regime in traditional Chinese culture, as well as the opportunistic mindset of the KMT. A bunch of anti-CCP patriots have now switched sides and embraced the CCP.
These pseudo-patriots served in important positions during Chiang Kai-shek’s rule. Activists who published the Free China Journal (自由中國), such as Lei Chen (雷震), Yin Hai-kuang (殷海光) and Fu Cheng (傅正) — the real patriots, were imprisoned and punished. Democratic pioneer Peng Ming-min (彭明敏) was also persecuted for speaking the truth.
Time and time again, good people are persecuted, while nasty people get what they want. This is the reality of Chinese history.
The KMT could not be reborn with the ROC in Taiwan. It could not overcome the remnants of its fictional Chineseness and otherness to transform into a normal political party suited to an emerging democratic country. It could not allow new Taiwanese who migrated to this country in 1949 and identify with it to become the master of the emerging nation. There is a cultural pathology behind it.
Those who were superficially loyal to the KMT and patriotic are politicians who frequently shift their stances in a bid to please those in power. They are evil and vile.
Lee Min-yung is a poet.
Translated by Fion Khan
An elderly mother and her daughter were found dead in Kaohsiung after having not been seen for several days, discovered only when a foul odor began to spread and drew neighbors’ attention. There have been many similar cases, but it is particularly troubling that some of the victims were excluded from the social welfare safety net because they did not meet eligibility criteria. According to media reports, the middle-aged daughter had sought help from the local borough warden. Although the warden did step in, many services were unavailable without out-of-pocket payments due to issues with eligibility, leaving the warden’s hands
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday announced that she would dissolve parliament on Friday. Although the snap election on Feb. 8 might appear to be a domestic affair, it would have real implications for Taiwan and regional security. Whether the Takaichi-led coalition can advance a stronger security policy lies in not just gaining enough seats in parliament to pass legislation, but also in a public mandate to push forward reforms to upgrade the Japanese military. As one of Taiwan’s closest neighbors, a boost in Japan’s defense capabilities would serve as a strong deterrent to China in acting unilaterally in the
Taiwan last week finally reached a trade agreement with the US, reducing tariffs on Taiwanese goods to 15 percent, without stacking them on existing levies, from the 20 percent rate announced by US President Donald Trump’s administration in August last year. Taiwan also became the first country to secure most-favored-nation treatment for semiconductor and related suppliers under Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act. In return, Taiwanese chipmakers, electronics manufacturing service providers and other technology companies would invest US$250 billion in the US, while the government would provide credit guarantees of up to US$250 billion to support Taiwanese firms
Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Randhir Jaiswal told a news conference on Jan. 9, in response to China’s latest round of live-fire exercises in the Taiwan Strait: “India has an abiding interest in peace and stability in the region, in view of our trade, economic, people-to-people and maritime interests. We urge all parties to exercise restraint, avoid unilateral actions and resolve issues peacefully without threat or use of force.” The statement set a firm tone at the beginning of the year for India-Taiwan relations, and reflects New Delhi’s recognition of shared interests and the strategic importance of regional stability. While India
RSS