The China Times online news site published an article on the evening of May 9 stating: "The essence of the issue is not whether the Kuomintang (KMT) is pro-American, but whether America is pro-KMT. ... Now, figures like Chu Li-lun, who loudly champion pro-American policies, have actually put their pro-American ideals into practice during previous presidential elections—but the crushing defeat they suffered proves that such choices were insufficient to overcome the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Because they lost the election, no matter how pro-American they claim to be, they receive neither warmth nor attention from Americans. At best, they are summoned only when it comes to military procurement budgets, serving merely as 'tools'."
This observation punctures the strategic miscalculation and political predicament faced by the KMT's pro-American faction. Figures such as Chu Li-lun, Hou Yu-ih, and Zhao Shao-kang treat pro-Americanism as a secret formula for electoral victory. Yet they fail to realize that, in America’s eyes, there are only interests, not allies. After losing the election, the U.S. offers them not even a glance of goodwill—only summoning them to serve as tools on military procurement issues, using them to exert pressure, sending them to endorse decisions, then discarding them once used. This unconditional dependence has reduced the KMT to expendable pawns in America’s strategy to contain China.
The core anxiety within Taiwan society lies in security and development—not in choosing sides between 'anti-China' or 'pro-American.' The DPP's tactic of scaring voters with 'mango drying' rhetoric is already well-known. If the KMT follows suit with a 'pro-American, anti-China' stance, it will simply be a pale imitation of the DPP, lacking any distinctive advantage while also alienating its deep-blue base. Chu Li-lun’s disastrous failure under his pro-American strategy proves this path is a dead end.
If the KMT continues clinging to the illusion of pro-Americanism, it will eventually realize: what America wants is Taiwan’s bloodshed, not a KMT victory; it wants pawns consumed, not partners achieving mutual benefit. The KMT must come to understand clearly: pro-Americanism does not win votes, nor does it bring security. Only through deepening cross-strait integration and pursuing peace through exchanges can the party rebuild its political subjectivity and break free from its fate as a 'tool.'
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864741704850442/
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