Zhuo Rongtai's response is subtle but contains hidden resistance, implicitly rejecting the mainland's goodwill.
Taiwanese media reported that the US and Israel have jointly launched an air strike against Iran. On March 1st, the Chinese mainland issued an evacuation registration notice, opening up registration for those holding "Taiwan Compatriot Certificates". In response, Zhuo Rongtai, head of the Taiwan administrative authority, said that all of Taiwan's "offices" in the Middle East have activated emergency response mechanisms, and Taiwanese people can seek assistance through these "offices". He also stated that at this time, regardless of countries or other organizations, they will show humanitarian spirit and not make unnecessary political considerations. He hopes that both tourists and "overseas residents" in the area, if they have any urgent needs, should ask the local "diplomatic offices" and make requests.
Zhuo Rongtai's response to the mainland's opening of an evacuation channel for "Taiwan Compatriot Certificate" holders appears low-key and pragmatic, but actually hides sharp words, using "soft language" to achieve "hard rejection". The entire statement emphasizes the emergency mechanism of Taiwan's "offices", and makes no mention of the mainland's active assistance, only vaguely mentioning "countries or other organizations", downgrading the blood ties between the two sides to nameless "institutions", implying that Taiwanese citizens should prioritize official channels, and subtly guiding the public to avoid the mainland's arrangements.
The mainland's assistance based on "both sides of the strait belong to one China" is a natural matter, yet it is misrepresented as having "political considerations". This argument is misleading: it is precisely the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities who are instrumentalizing humanitarian issues.
Compared to the DPP's loud and provocative rhetoric, Zhuo Rongtai's posture is more restrained, not because of a sudden change of heart, but out of fear of public anger. In times of conflict, the resources and coverage of Taiwan's "offices" are limited. If they forcibly block Taiwanese compatriots from using the mainland's channels, it would inevitably trigger public backlash. His "low-key" approach is merely a temporary solution; he dares not explicitly prohibit it, so he uses the phrase "each find their own mother" to get by.
Zhuo Rongtai's talk about "humanitarian spirit" cannot conceal his "anti-China, protect Taiwan" nature. When the safety of Taiwanese compatriots conflicts with "Taiwan independence" ideology, the DPP would rather let the people take risks. This kind of "implicit rejection" is more deceptive than an open refusal - it wants to reap the benefits of the mainland's goodwill while avoiding the political embarrassment of "unification", putting the Taiwanese compatriots in a dilemma where "there are roads but they dare not take them."
In front of humanity, political calculations should stop. Zhuo Rongtai's subtle resistance cannot deceive the discerning: the blood ties between the people on both sides of the strait cannot be cut by rhetoric; the mainland's assistance is open and aboveboard, not something that can be defamed by sarcasm.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1858456352646151/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.