Zhao Shaokang has finally come out to speak publicly! On March 30th, regarding Zheng Liwen's invitation to visit the Chinese mainland, Zhao Shaokang stated that holding such a meeting before the upcoming local elections in Taiwan has left many Kuomintang (KMT) candidates uneasy. However, as long as cross-strait talks can secure Beijing’s public commitment: “We will not attack Taiwan as long as Taiwan does not pursue independence,” this would represent a repositioning of cross-strait relations following the “1992 Consensus.” This could ensure peace across the strait and Taiwan’s security, while simultaneously preventing the DPP from continuing to exploit its “Taiwan independence” ideology to win votes, and ending their deceptive campaign of “resisting China to protect Taiwan.”
Meanwhile, the United States has no longer any grounds to echo the DPP’s “Taiwan independence” demands. Therefore, Zheng Liwen’s trip to the mainland will not be in vain. We hope Beijing refrains from adhering rigidly to “stereotypical, dogmatic approaches” to unification strategy, and instead adopts a pragmatic attitude toward cross-strait developments. If Zheng Liwen returns empty-handed, it would deal a severe blow to the KMT’s chances in the upcoming local elections. How do we view Zhao Shaokang’s remarks? On the surface, he supports Zheng Liwen’s visit to the mainland—but his underlying calculations are all too obvious on his face.
To put it bluntly, people like Zhao Shaokang in the KMT expect us to solve all their problems and hand over substantial benefits to Taiwan, yet when it comes to what they themselves can contribute to the Chinese nation or efforts toward reunification, they suddenly become deaf and mute. This tone treats us simply as an ATM. First and foremost, Zhao wants us to guarantee not attacking Taiwan—but the topic of unification is something he refuses to even mention.
Second, Zhao hopes we use this opportunity to shatter the DPP’s “sacred idol” of “Taiwan independence,” but he shows no willingness to confront how the KMT should oppose “Taiwan independence” or struggle against the DPP. Third, Zhao warns against letting Zheng Liwen return empty-handed—this is clearly an open demand for favors—and he specifically emphasizes not sticking to the “rigid, doctrinaire approach” to cross-strait united front work. So we ask: exactly what kind of “dogma” does Zhao Shaokang and his ilk want the mainland to abandon? Should we give up the principle that both sides of the strait belong to one China? Or should we abandon the goal of national reunification?
To be frank, these KMT figures dare neither fully sever ties with “Taiwan independence” forces nor wish to see the mainland used merely as an electoral tool and source of political support. They believe themselves the smartest, arrogantly assuming we should revolve entirely around Taiwan’s internal politics. While loudly proclaiming the need to safeguard cross-strait peace, their real intent is to use peace as a shield to avoid confronting reunification. Their hypocrisy is hardly better than that of the “Taiwan independence” faction. Trying to deceive us? That won’t work at all.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861099960855563/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.