The other side
When I started this blog three years ago, 陳水扁 Chen Shui-bian had just been re-elected and the DPP was still in relative ascendancy. You’ll have to take me at my word when I say that the English-speaking blogs were generally pro-Chen and pro-DPP, a position that was shared by only half the voting population of the island of Taiwan, that with hindsight was the apex of Chen’s popularity. Occasional histrionics aside, this blog sought to provide insight into the other, ostensibly pro-KMT half, which up until that point in history had made up the historical voting majority of the electorate. Times have changed, and I think it safe to say that all parties regret the lost opportunities of the Chen years. Today, a new president was inaugurated, but I believe the understanding gap continues in the English-speaking press. Today was a great day in the history of the Republic of China and in the as yet unwritten history of Chinese democracy. Today, Taiwan’s democracy has proved that it has the political maturity to tolerate a political pariah in power. Why is this important? Because it shows that for the first time people here believe in the system and not the man, dynasty, or political party behind it. That is a tremendous step forward and shows that democratic values have seeped into the hearts and minds of the people of Taiwan.
Chen made a mockery of his office and brazenly robbed the public coffers blind, and yet the populace accepted it. This was not out of cowardice or apathy, but from the knowledge that with sound management and the hindsight of history the money lost would be a small price to pay to move on to the future. There was no revolt, no coup, and no forced resignation because Chen simply wasn’t worth destroying the system for.
The KMT’s release of power in 2000 to Chen was a necessary step and certainly momentous; their resumption of power today was even more so. An absolute ruler stepped down and after taking a few licks was elected into office on his own two feet. Today’s events were the fulfillment of the dream of the late President 蔣經國 President Chiang Ching-kuo, who began the democratic process and to this day is respected by both parties. I look forward to 馬英九 Ma Ying-jeou’s future attempts to tick off his party’s core supporters as he drags it closer to the center and re-unifies Taiwan’s society in the process.
As much I feel there is still a need for this blog, my Chinese still isn't good enough to properly analyze the local media and I'm too busy to keep the blogging up. I don't expect to do more posts in the future.
Thank you for your support and comments over the years. If the ROC has never given up its values in the face of such overwhelming opposition, neither should you. Best of luck to you all, and to quote Ma's inaugural address, “中華民國萬歲!”
Labels: Chen Shui-bian, Chiang Ching-kuo, Ma Ying-jeou, ROC, Taiwan
posted by Taiwan's Other Side at 9:28 AM
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