ROC democracy’s low-water mark

Immediately after the incident, the mainland’s ARATS and TAO issued statements condemning the “barbarous act” of violence against Zhang and demanding the punishment for perpetrators and instigators of the violence. The two agencies expressed confidence, however, in the continued development of cross-strait relations.

Lien Chan, honorary chairman of the ruling Kuomintang, was shocked and enraged by the violence. Lien, who blazed a new trail to China by taking a “journey of peace” in 2005 as the KMT chairman to open a new page in cross-strait relations, demanded the government to bring the culprits to justice.

The government was lethargic in its reaction to the emergency. “It’s regrettable,” said Lai Hsing-yuan, chairwoman of the Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council (MAC). “We condemn all forms of violence.” The Office of the President expressed “heartache” over the violence, while the Executive Yuan seemed completely at a loss after belatedly learning of the incident.

The government has been roundly criticized for its insensitivity and fecklessness in dealing with the matter. First, It overlooked the personal safety of such an important and sensitive visitor from China. To let Zhang visit the stronghold of radical separatists in Tainan without adequate police protection was to put him in harm’s way. Second, the government was aware the DPP was desperately in need of an explosive incident to divert national attention away from Chen Shui-bian’s money laundering scandal. Zhang’s visit to Tainan was a godsend. The negligence of the relevant government agencies, including the Interior Ministry, the National Security Bureau, the MAC and SEF, is appalling. Expressing regret and indignation cannot make up for the irreparable damage done to cross-strait relations and Taiwan’s international image.

Zhang Mingqing showed admirable composure despite the brutal attack. He said he believed that his assailants were just “a handful of extremists” who did not represent the vast majority of Taiwan’s people. This scholar-turned envoy is no stranger to Taiwan. He served several years ago as the spokesman for TAO and was known to Taiwan’s press corps for his blunt speech.

Hopefuflly, the monkey wrench thrown by the DPP’s radical supporters will not scuttle the plan of Chen Yunlin’s visit to Taiwan to hold historic talks with his counterpart P.K. Chiang. At a time when the world is struggling to weather through the worst financial storm in seven decades, the Chiang-Chen talks promise opportunities for economic cooperation between the two sides.

Taiwan’s politicians, if they really “love Taiwan,” should look forward for opportunities that would bring Taiwan peace, prosperity and dignity as Ma Ying-jeou is seeking with his new political agenda. Confrontational politics have failed totally and miserably under Chen and Lee and have to be abandoned. That’s the “change we need,” just as the American voters are embracing Democratic Sen. Barack Obama’s “change” in the November election after eight years of failed policies under a Republican president— George W. Bush.

1|2

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos Respond to this email