Yesterday's enemies
The 中國國民黨Kuo Ming Tang and 中國共産黨Chinese Communist Party have had something of a rapprochement over the past few years, particularly since the end of 李登輝 Lee Tung-Hui's presidency, and especially since the 2004 presidential elections in Taiwan. This has caused quite a stir in Taiwan, and has allowed the DPP to fairly successfully label the KMT as communist sympathizers and traitors. It is common to hear that pro-blue media organizations have been 'infiltrated' and are now puppets of the regime in Beijing. What has prompted this change of heart on the part of the KMT? Is it simple opportunism, as some say, or is there something more?
To be sure, the political advantages gained by showcasing ROC President 陳水扁Chen Shui-Bian's failures on the international front are appealing, but there is much more to the relationship between the KMT and its nemesis. Both parties are aging and going through generational shifts that are opening previously unthinkable lines of strategy. As the balance of economic power has recently shifted, political lines must be re-drawn.
There is a more fundamental point of agreement that shelters the tacit truce between the two sides. Both the CCP and KMT are creatures born of Chinese nationalism, the desire to cast off the yoke of foreign powers and allow China to stand united and on its own two feet. Though the two parties took radically different approaches, the fundamental goal remains the same. Most people in Taiwan look upon China's economic and social improvements with genuine happiness. Taiwan has played a large role in this development, as China's second-biggest investor. The spirit of cultural and social unity is still alive on many levels, despite the political efforts to divide the two sides. The CCP has come close to achieving an equivalent of the KMT's version of Chinese socialism, and that alone is a reason to celebrate and build upon. Chinese can be proud of their country again, neither colony nor beggar, and finally on the right track.
The KMT has found that its dreams of national unity and pride are not as appealing to this generation as they were to the last. A more comfortable Taiwan populace has turned inward, away from the world and away from its own sense of nationalism. Like many a retiree or war veteran, the KMT has found that an old enemy is one of the few that understand and accept it. Hounded by the more flexible and savvy DPP, attacked as being too 'Chinese' or too heavy-handed, it must be welcome to see that old enemy who knows what it was like, and knows what it takes to build a nation. Such mutual respect, a quality that the DPP sorely lacks, is the stuff that treaties and friendships are forged of.
Taiwan, as a member of an ethnic family that crosses borders around the world, should share a sense of pride for the advances China makes. Any businessman will tell you that the future lies in China; the DPP's Taiwanization and independence moves come at the risk of missing the economic tides that the KMT has so skillfully managed in the past. If, after more than half a century of animosity, the KMT can accept the CCP, the DPP should pay attention to the lessons learned. If the US does not protect Taiwan after all, the DPP will find that only its nemesis truly cares about what happens to this island.
To be sure, the political advantages gained by showcasing ROC President 陳水扁Chen Shui-Bian's failures on the international front are appealing, but there is much more to the relationship between the KMT and its nemesis. Both parties are aging and going through generational shifts that are opening previously unthinkable lines of strategy. As the balance of economic power has recently shifted, political lines must be re-drawn.
There is a more fundamental point of agreement that shelters the tacit truce between the two sides. Both the CCP and KMT are creatures born of Chinese nationalism, the desire to cast off the yoke of foreign powers and allow China to stand united and on its own two feet. Though the two parties took radically different approaches, the fundamental goal remains the same. Most people in Taiwan look upon China's economic and social improvements with genuine happiness. Taiwan has played a large role in this development, as China's second-biggest investor. The spirit of cultural and social unity is still alive on many levels, despite the political efforts to divide the two sides. The CCP has come close to achieving an equivalent of the KMT's version of Chinese socialism, and that alone is a reason to celebrate and build upon. Chinese can be proud of their country again, neither colony nor beggar, and finally on the right track.
The KMT has found that its dreams of national unity and pride are not as appealing to this generation as they were to the last. A more comfortable Taiwan populace has turned inward, away from the world and away from its own sense of nationalism. Like many a retiree or war veteran, the KMT has found that an old enemy is one of the few that understand and accept it. Hounded by the more flexible and savvy DPP, attacked as being too 'Chinese' or too heavy-handed, it must be welcome to see that old enemy who knows what it was like, and knows what it takes to build a nation. Such mutual respect, a quality that the DPP sorely lacks, is the stuff that treaties and friendships are forged of.
Taiwan, as a member of an ethnic family that crosses borders around the world, should share a sense of pride for the advances China makes. Any businessman will tell you that the future lies in China; the DPP's Taiwanization and independence moves come at the risk of missing the economic tides that the KMT has so skillfully managed in the past. If, after more than half a century of animosity, the KMT can accept the CCP, the DPP should pay attention to the lessons learned. If the US does not protect Taiwan after all, the DPP will find that only its nemesis truly cares about what happens to this island.
posted by Taiwan's Other Side at 9:58 PM
3 Comments:
While I support the position that Taiwan should endeavor to improve political dialogue with Beijing, it shouldn't have been done at the expense of the ROC's institutions. No matter how you look at it, the status of the ROC was eroded when the leaders of its founding party go abroad and rebukes the president and the administration of their own country.
I think these high-profiled visits (KMT and especially Li Ao's trip) represented missed opportunties. Instead of airing dirty laundry, they should have tried harder to showcase what was achievable only under the ROC's watch in Taiwan.
"Taiwan, as a member of an ethnic family that crosses borders around the world, should share a sense of pride for the advances China makes."
Are you serious? Taiwan is the only truly democractic Chinese nation (political entity?) on Earth. The fact that as soon as they have a chance, they try to distance themselves from the PRC should make the message pretty clear. Hardly anyone wants anything to do with the out-dated jingoistic concept, the 'ethnic Chinese family', especially if it's run by the Reds.
Anonymous 2, I am very serious and there are a lot of people here that seem to agree with me. There has always been some sort of oppressive government in power, but that has never stopped the Chinese as a nation.
Please tell me, who exactly has been trying to distance themselves from the KMT? Is it anyone other than the very new and rather unstable DPP? Can you be sure that this'message' reflects a true desire of the people rather than a political tool used to stir up votes?
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