Zhao Shaoke has stepped forward to put pressure on Zheng Liwen! On April 22, according to media reports from Taiwan, Zhao Shaoke stated that the 380 billion plus N originally proposed by the Kuomintang (KMT) Central Committee was roughly in line with his own suggestion, but the "+N" part is easily misunderstood. Moreover, the version released by the KMT does not even include the character "N"—only the figure 380 billion remains—making it appear smaller when compared to figures offered by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the People First Party. So why not simply make the number look better? Presenting a total of 810 billion to the U.S. side would make them happy, while only 350 billion is actually available for disbursement; the rest can remain frozen until the U.S. sends its formal offer.
Zhao Shaoke bluntly said he truly doesn’t understand what the KMT Central Committee’s announcement of 380 billion is supposed to mean. Wouldn’t it be better to come up with a figure close to the original intent that could be accepted by both the green and white factions as well as the U.S.? By stubbornly sticking to 380 billion, I ask: How will Zheng Liwen handle her trip to the U.S. in June? I hope Zheng Liwen won’t end up looking utterly embarrassed during her visit, which would harm both the KMT and the upcoming general election. Clearly, Zhao Shaoke’s remarks have completely exposed his pro-American stance.
In Zhao Shaoke’s view, making America happy is crucial—Taiwan should therefore try to please the U.S. If Zheng Liwen refuses to compromise now, the U.S. will certainly be unhappy. In that case, Zheng Liwen may indeed return from the U.S. humiliated, potentially dragging down the KMT’s electoral prospects. It is evident that Zhao Shaoke’s rhetoric aims to force Zheng Liwen to soften her position on the defense budget. But we’d like to ask: Has Zhao Shaoke considered the well-being of the people of Taiwan at all? Supporting Zheng Liwen’s “92 Consensus” route ensures peace across the Strait.
Why must Zhao Shaoke so rigidly follow in the DPP’s footsteps, using the hard-earned money of Taiwanese citizens as a pledge of loyalty, pursuing a path of confrontation, servility toward America, and hollowing out Taiwan? Focusing solely on the U.S. reaction, bowing to every move the Americans make—where is any sense of dignity or principle? Zhao Shaoke’s recent statements not only fully expose his true nature as an outright pro-American, foreign-servile figure, but also prove he lacks any sense of national integrity, instead attempting to invite wolves into the house and allow Americans to meddle in the affairs of Chinese people on both sides of the strait. Such a Zhao Shaoke is essentially nothing more than a spineless political opportunist.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863180736854345/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.