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EDITORIAL: Securing
Hu’s political legacy
According to a diplomatic cable from the US embassy in Beijing that was recently
released by WikiLeaks, Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) is quite keen to leave
his mark on history, especially Taiwan’s history.
Hu wants Taiwan to “re-enter” the fold before his term is up so his photo can go
up on government walls next to photos of former Chinese leaders Deng Xiaoping
(鄧小平) and Mao Zedong (毛澤東), showing that he, too, was one of China’s most
important leaders. If he is successful, Chinese history books could say that he
ended the Chinese Civil War, unified the motherland and, hopefully, brought US
influence in China’s sovereign territory to an end.
According to the cable, Chinese officials expressed concern that President Ma
Ying-jeou (馬英九) had refused to give a substantive response to Hu’s six-point
proposal on cross-strait relations.
Apparently these officials have not been paying close attention over the past
three years. After bending over backward for Beijing, what else does Ma have to
do to make Hu happy?
The first item on Hu’s six-point plan was adherence to the “one China” principle
and enhanced political trust. Ma has stuck to the concept of “one China” as
enshrined in the Republic of China Constitution and has rejected any suggestion
of “two Chinas.” Furthermore, officials in his administration have cozied up to
Chinese officials, enhancing mutual political trust.
The second point, relating to strengthening economic ties and promoting joint
development, has been on the top of Ma’s agenda from day one of his presidency.
Taiwan practically promised to merge its economy with China’s when it signed the
Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA). Furthermore, all manner of
other joint developments are taking place, both above and below the table,
involving cultural exchanges, tourism, direct travel, investment and military
ties, though usually with retired generals.
Hu’s third point was that Taiwan and China should cultivate Chinese cultural and
spiritual links. Again, Ma has been right on target. Under his administration,
high-school history classes have replaced huge portions of curricula on Taiwan
and international relations with materials emphasizing China, while other
classes are being dropped so students can study ancient Confucian texts.
The fourth point was the idea of promoting personnel visits and broadening
exchanges. With the amount of government money being spent so officials can
visit China, this one also looks to be in the bag. Just recently, Judicial Yuan
members went on an all-expenses-paid trip to airports in China, supposedly to
inspect them, but as a number of lawmakers said, it was likely just an excuse
for a vacation.
The fifth point related to Taiwan’s “reasonable” participation in global
organizations, which lies in Hu’s hands and is not something that has played out
very well. However, Hu’s definition of “reasonable” seems to be so narrow that
not even the China--centric Ma administration can stomach it. To take part in
these organizations, Taiwan has found itself being increasingly described as
“Taiwan, province of China,” while some countries are even referring to it as
“Taiwan, People’s Republic of China.”
And Hu’s sixth point: End hostilities and sign a peace agreement. Whose hands
does Hu think this point lies in? Taiwan’s? China is the country that has
offensive missile brigades deployed with the purpose of crushing Taiwan; China
is building an aircraft carrier that would allow it to gain air superiority over
Taiwan; China has enacted laws making it legal to use lethal force against
Taiwan. It is China that continues to pose a threat to Taiwan.
So what are Hu and Chinese officials concerned about? Ma has done all they have
asked short of declaring unification. Is it that Hu is starting to realize his
goal of making Taiwan his legacy by 2013 is too much to chew and he is looking
for someone to blame?
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