Taiwan’s Problem: International Powerlessness and Domestic Incompetence

Published in Taiwan Times
(Taiwan) on 31 July 2022
by (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Jennifer Sampson. Edited by Laurence Bouvard.
Right before Joe Biden and Xi Jinping held a meeting, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that she would visit Taiwan, inserting herself in the middle of relations between the U.S., China and Taiwan. Not only was there a great deal of commentary about this in the Taiwanese media, but many other countries engaged in much discussion and speculation as well. There is no lack of utterly opposing viewpoints, which shows how complicated and difficult the Taiwan issue is. Even as everyday observers have voiced completely different opinions, the only opinion missing in this clamor is the official one from the Taiwanese government, which is incredible.

Although Pelosi is 81 years old, as the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and second in the line of successors to the presidency, she holds a very distinguished position. She is watched closely by many and speaks rationally. However, while her long-standing support of Taiwan and desire to visit is very heartening for the Taiwanese government and people, the timing of this trip is too sensitive. In the eyes of many countries, Taiwan is already in a precarious and beleaguered position under the shadow of the war in Ukraine. Furthermore, inflation and energy crises are inevitably coming. In this situation, Pelosi’s well-meant trip has done nothing to help improve Taiwan’s position, but rather has added fuel to the fire. China now has the excuse of provocation, which increases the risk in the Taiwan Strait.

In order to avoid accidentally sparking confrontation between the U.S. and China and across the strait, Taiwan’s government, as the rulers who bear responsibility, should actively clarify their position on Pelosi’s visit. Whether they welcome it or reject it, they need to communicate their stance clearly so that everyone in the country — military and civilian alike — will understand the situation. If the situation becomes serious, regardless of whether it comes to fighting or remains peaceful, everyone should be able to be prepared. Unfortunately, the government has remained silent and evasive. This has left the Taiwanese people in the dark and unclear how to deal with what may come.

Taiwan is not the territory of the People’s Republic of China. Article 4 of the constitution of the Republic of China clearly states: “The territory of the Republic of China according to its existing national boundaries shall not be altered except by resolution of the National Assembly.” Therefore, the Taiwanese government dares to tell mainland China that its country does not belong to China. At the same time, Taiwan has never been a U.S. territory. As an American, Pelosi did not consult with Taiwan or gain approval before her trip, but instead insisted she would visit. Does she regard herself as an overlord? Why didn’t the Taiwanese government dare to tell her not to come, especially since the visit might pose a risk? Does the government look forward to it or fear the repercussions? This exemplifies the government’s powerlessness in foreign affairs. It is unable to protect Taiwan’s sovereignty and security.

Taiwan has been through a glorious period of rapid advancement. Led by former President Chiang Ching-kuo’s Ten Major Construction Projects, this economic miracle was created by the concerted effort of the Taiwanese people. Everyone shared the economic benefits of Taiwan becoming the leader among Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea — collectively known as the Four Asian Tigers. However, since fighting between political parties, ethnic confrontations and social division began, Taiwan’s economic development and social stability has deteriorated. The gains touted by the government actually mean that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. With power shortages, blocked agricultural and fishing exports, increasing prices for goods and the spread of the pandemic, countless ordinary people have felt unprecedented pain. The government, however, only uses empty words and dreamy slogans to cover the truth and deceive people. This exemplifies the government’s domestic incompetence. It is unable to help regular people live well and happily.

The main purpose of the government is to be responsible for the electorate and create a prosperous and beautiful life for people all over the country. If it can do this, it will receive the affirmation and support of the people, regardless of whether the Kuomintang or Democratic Progressive Party is in power. Otherwise, no matter how good the slogans sound or how strong the ideological manipulation, those in power will eventually pay a bitter price if the people suffer. After all, governance must be rooted in the people’s interest. Any administration that deviates from this and is powerless in foreign matters as well as domestic affairs will eventually be unable to maintain control.


(社論)台灣的問題是對外無力對內無能

美國眾議院議長裴洛西趕在拜習會前,逕自宣布將訪問台灣,將美中台關係吹皺一池春水,不僅台灣媒體多所議論,美、中級世界許多國家也都紛紛發表評論與臆測,甚至不乏完全相反的觀點,可見台灣問題牽連之廣及處理之不易,即便旁觀者所作評論也是南轅北轍,但在這眾聲喧嘩中,唯獨不見台灣政府的官方說法,真是匪夷所思。

裴洛西雖已高齡八十一歲,但身為美國眾議院議長、第二順位的總統接棒人,身分尊貴,動見觀瞻,照理講,以其長年支持台灣的立場,這次主動表達訪問台灣的意願,對台灣政府和百姓而言,都是一件值得鼓舞的事情,但問題在於時機過於敏感。在烏俄戰爭的陰影下,台灣在世界各國眼中已經是風聲鶴唳,草木皆兵,通貨膨脹和能源危機也難以避免,在此情況下,裴洛西的善意到訪,非但無助於台灣情勢的緩解,反而是火上加油,讓中國大陸找到尋釁的藉口,徒增海峽風險。

為了避免出現美中、兩岸各自出現擦槍走火的狀況,作為一個有擔當的執政者,政府應當主動說明對於裴洛西來訪的態度,不管是歡迎或拒絕,都要把話講清楚,讓全國軍民百姓心裡有數,甚至如果事態演變嚴重,到底要打要和,都要讓大家有所準備。可惜的是,政府對此採取的是默然噤聲,絕口不提,讓百姓不知道政府葫蘆裡賣的是什麼藥,未來情勢如何應對。

台灣不是中華人民共和國的領土,但中華民國憲法第四條明定「中華民國領土,依其固有之疆域,非經國民大會之決議,不得變更之。」所以政府敢跟中國大陸嗆聲台灣不屬於「中國」。同時,台灣從來都不是美國的領土,裴洛西一個美國人,事先沒跟台灣商量,沒有經過台灣的同意,說想來就想來,是把自己當成台灣的宗主國了嗎?尤其在裴洛西此行可能造台灣風險的情況下,政府為什麼不敢明確的告訴裴洛西不要來台灣?是有所期待還是有所忌憚?這是政府的對外無力,無法捍衛台灣的主權與安全。

台灣曾經有過一段突飛猛進的輝煌時期,那是蔣經國十大建設帶頭,全國人民齊心努力創造的經濟奇蹟,也是全民共享的經濟利益台灣也成為亞洲四小龍之首。但是,自從兩黨惡鬥、族群對立、社會撕裂開始後,台灣的經濟發展和社會穩定便江河日下,政府所標榜的國民所得,其實是富者愈富、貧者愈貧的畸形發展。尤其電力不足、農漁產品出口受阻、物價高漲、疫情蔓延等,都讓千千萬萬的市井小民感受到前所未有的痛苦,政府卻只會用空虛夢幻的口號掩飾真相、迷幻人民,這是對政府的對內無能,無能讓平民百姓過得幸福快樂。

 政府施政的主要目的是為選民負責,是為廣大的全國民眾創造幸福美好的生活,能夠做到這一點,不管藍綠誰執政,都會得到人民的肯定和支持。如若不然,不管口號喊得再漂亮,意識形態操作得再激烈,只要讓人民生活得痛苦,執政者最終都要付出慘痛的代價。畢竟執政必須以民為本,任何背離民本思想,對外無力、對內無能的政權,終究是無法長久維繫的
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