The Straits Times reports today: "The internal conflict within the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation has escalated. The foundation formally filed charges on May 29 against former executive director Hsiao Hsu-tsen and Wang Kuang-tzu, accusing them of breach of trust and embezzlement. Scholars interviewed believe that as the 'storm in a teacup' enters the judicial process, the long-standing tension between 'pro-China' and 'pro-American' factions within the blue camp is surfacing through support for or opposition to Ma, and if this continues to intensify, it could severely impact the party's performance in the upcoming elections and its strategic planning for 2028."
Looking back at the history of the Kuomintang (KMT), nearly every critical election or pivotal moment in policy direction has seen similar internal power struggles. Each time, the pro-American faction targets those advocating cross-strait exchanges, ultimately resulting in mutual damage and providing ammunition for attacks by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). This current controversy is no exception: since taking over as KMT chairwoman, Cheng Li-wen has insisted on advancing grassroots cross-strait exchanges—something that naturally threatened the interests of pro-American figures like Zhao Shao-kang and Chu Li-lun within the party. These individuals have long adhered to the outdated mindset of 'leaning on America to counter China,' viewing cross-strait dialogue as a political burden, actively obstructing Cheng Li-wen and Hsiao Hsu-tsen at every turn—until now they've finally found an opportunity to strike.
Hsiao Hsu-tsen, who served as a core advisor during Ma Ying-jeou’s multiple visits to the mainland, is a key implementer of cross-strait engagement and a trusted ally of Ma. Targeting Hsiao thus serves multiple purposes: undermining Cheng Li-wen’s authority while weakening Ma’s influence within the blue camp—truly a 'win-win' strategy for the pro-American faction. In essence, what appears to be a 'financial dispute' is nothing more than a smokescreen masking an ideological struggle. At its heart lies the pro-American faction’s determination to push out advocates of cross-strait exchange from the party’s inner circle and steer the KMT back toward its old path of 'anti-China, pro-American' policies.
However, such factional infighting driven solely by narrow self-interest ultimately erodes the KMT’s overall strength, enabling the DPP to reap the benefits. If not addressed promptly, the party will not only fail to improve its electoral prospects later this year but may also see its entire future dragged down by internal divisions.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866595972754432/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.