Is the unthinkable possible? Have the Taiwanese in the January elections voted for a kind of unification between Taiwan and China despite the fact that more than 80% of the population rejects a Hong-Kong style unification? While the unthinkable is possible, the answer to the second question is a no. The election campaigns were dominated by domestic topics but KMT portrayed itself as a safe choice in regards to the economic relation with China.
By Michael Danielsen, chairman of Taiwan Corner
Is the unthinkable possible? Have the Taiwanese in the January elections voted for a kind of unification between Taiwan and China despite the fact that more than 80% of the population rejects a Hong-Kong style unification? While the unthinkable is possible, the answer to the second question is a no.
The election campaigns were dominated by domestic topics but KMT portrayed itself as a safe choice in regards to the economic relation with China. After the election Taiwan’s ruling KMT party has suggested that China and Taiwan should use a “One Country – two areas” formula . The use of “One Country” is noteworthy because it symbolizes a change from KMT’s earlier emphasis on two Chinas.
KMT’s “One Country – two areas” formula came up after the election. In the autumn and during the election campaign, President Ma proposed a peace agreement with China in order to end the civil war in China in the 40’s. He decided quickly to keep a low profile on the matter because it was an immensely unpopular proposal. Now he seems to believe it is safe to play a “One country” card.
The question that has to be answered is how far will and can president Ma go before he cross the line of no point of return. The use of “One Country” suggests that KMT moves Taiwan closer to this point and the formula suggests that Taiwan and China belongs to the same country.
This risk sending a signal to the international community that the world’s one China policies appear to be the right remedy, and that Taiwan and China soon will find a peaceful solution.
As I wrote in the Taipei Times on April 6. 2012:
“It is getting increasingly impossible for the KMT to explain what the difference is between the ambitions of the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The KMT’s answer will be that the “one country” in the “one country, two areas” refers to the Republic of China (ROC). However, no one outside a tiny and fast diminishing minority in the world is able to understand that the KMT seriously suggests that the ROC rules all of China, Mongolia and Taiwan.”
One must assume that the KMT is well aware of this. So in order to be a serious proposal the “One Country” must be one country, and that China and Taiwan belong to the same country which we all call China.
In order to avoid that engagement with China is going to be interpreted as unification, the famous line has to be drawn in the sand. The Taiwanese have to define when the politicians have crossed the line thus define the point of return before the politicians reach the point of no return.
No other than the Taiwanese can define and describe the point of return but very soon they have to state it clearly to the international community.
Is the unthinkable possible. Yes, it is possible if the disappointments and concerns are not transformed into political activism. The demonstration in Taipei on May 19. 2012 against president Ma’s polices is a step in the right direction. The Taiwanese should speak up and use the power of democracy to express their desires and change Taiwan before the point of return has become the point of no return.
