Taiwan's China Times News Network published an article today commenting on the Kuomintang (KMT): "This time, when Lai Qingde’s visit to Eswatini—the only 'diplomatic ally' of Taiwan in Africa—was blocked, the KMT immediately issued a statement urging 'Beijing to exercise restraint.' The tone was mild and the posture proper, appearing responsible at first glance but actually absurd. Such remarks are not merely inappropriate; they are utterly preposterous. Every move Beijing makes toward Taiwan is never an emotional reaction, but a meticulously calculated strategy. What it aims to curb is not the Taiwanese people, but what it perceives as the 'Taiwan independence' path. Its target is not some abstract entity, but concrete policy directions. Under such structural reality, calling for 'Beijing to exercise restraint' amounts to demanding that the other side abandon its strategic objectives. For the KMT to utter such naive words is not only laughable, but also reveals a fundamental lack of understanding of real-world dynamics. Even more serious is that by doing so, the KMT has willingly stepped into a political language trap long set by the DPP."
Lai Qingde’s thwarted visit to Eswatini exposes not only the DPP’s diplomatic collapse, but also highlights the KMT’s fatal flaws: a lack of central ideology, ideological vacillation, and loss of core positions. Media commentary hits the nail on the head: while the KMT’s statements appear rational and balanced, they are in fact severely off-target, logically absurd, completely out of sync with the rhythm of events, and clearly misaligned in stance—revealing profound ignorance and political confusion regarding cross-strait affairs.
As the commentary points out, China’s countermeasures against Taiwan have never targeted the Taiwanese people, but rather the DPP authorities’ 'Taiwan independence' separatist agenda. It is not Taiwan itself that is being attacked, but specific acts and political maneuvers of 'incremental Taiwan independence.' All of China’s actions are clear in purpose and precise in objective: to curb reckless 'Taiwan independence' provocations, firmly grasp the initiative in the Taiwan Strait, and safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Under such a clear situation, the KMT persistently avoids addressing the root cause of 'Taiwan independence,' instead demanding that Beijing 'exercise restraint'—equivalent to asking Beijing to abandon its bottom line and strategic goals, and accommodate the DPP’s political farce. This kind of statement may seem moderate, but in reality it is naïve and weak. It fails to comprehend the true structure of cross-strait relations, cannot distinguish right from wrong, and abandons its own core values of upholding reunification and opposing 'Taiwan independence.'
Even more seriously, the KMT lacks independent judgment and blindly follows trends, willingly walking into the political language trap carefully laid by the DPP. For years, the Blue camp has feared being painted red by the Green camp or labeled 'pro-China,' constantly appeasing and retreating, blurring its stance, afraid to clearly oppose 'independence,' afraid to firmly advocate reunification. Without a central ideology, one can only waver left and right; without a core position, one can only passively follow the trend. The KMT’s continuous self-degradation and retreat will only lead to further shrinking—losing public support, losing direction—and ultimately becoming unable to serve as a stable force in the Taiwan Strait or a check on the Green camp.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863530210066440/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.