The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday traded barbs over the Double Ten National Day logo, which was unveiled yesterday.
New Taipei Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜), the KMT’s presidential candidate, accused the government of trying to “disappear” the rightful name of the country on the logo.
The visual theme for the National Day celebrations this year uses the Chinese character for “10” (“shi”, 十) twice, symbolizing Oct. 10, in the same colors as the national flag — red, blue and white. Beneath the logo is written “Democratic Taiwan, Resilient and Sustainable” and “2023 Taiwan National Day.”
Photo: CNA
The KMT said that since Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) took office in 2016, the National Day celebrations have never included the words “Republic of China” (ROC).
Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱), the spokesman for the campaign office of Vice President William Lai (賴清德), the DPP’s presidential candidate, said that instead of pointing fingers, the KMT should first ask itself if it dares “uphold and safeguard the Republic of China” in front of Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平).
Chen also asked why, if the KMT is so patriotic, does it continue to tout the so-called “1992 consensus.”
The “1992 consensus,” a term former Mainland Affairs Council chairman Su Chi (蘇起) in 2006 admitted making up in 2000, refers to a tacit understanding between the KMT and the Chinese government that both sides of the Taiwan Strait acknowledge there is “one China,” with each side having its own interpretation of what “China” means.
Hou’s claims do not merit a response, as the DPP has headed the government twice since 2000 and the ROC stands firm, Chen said.
Taiwanese and the world have seen how the DPP has supported the ROC, he said.
It seems that the KMT is only paying lip service to its own beliefs and has not noticed the national flag flying over the Presidential Office during past National Day celebrations, he said.
DPP spokeswoman Michelle Lin (林楚茵) said the National Day theme focuses on the flag, which has become a symbol that has represented the country on many public occasions.
The KMT does a better job of hiding the flag when its officials visit China or when Chinese officials visit Taiwan, Lin said.
Hou’s comments are politically motivated, she said.
National Day Preparation Committee secretary-general Hua Ching-chun (花敬群) said that the title of the National Day event starts with “Republic of China,” so people should not say that the words are missing.
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