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EDITORIAL: Backlash
in HK and Taiwan politics
The legislative elections held in Hong Kong yesterday are an example for Taiwan.
Although Hong Kong’s elections are far from free and universal, they demonstrate
public opinion and serve as a litmus test of how the public views China.
With its overbearing rule of the former British colony, Beijing has managed to
turn a lot of voters against it. Many Hong Kongers are content to allow a small
group of pro-Beijing businesspeople and China-appointed cadres to call the shots
when it comes to bigger issues, but when the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) tried
to influence education and inculcate their children with nationalist, pro-CCP,
propaganda, in an attempt to brainwash the next generation, Hong Kong voters
drew the line.
Although Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (梁振英) caved in to pressure
and backed down on the plans for nationalism to be taught in schools, the damage
was done. A higher voter turnout, at 53 percent versus 45.2 percent in 2008,
helped the pro-democrats retain a key voice in a legislature that could usher in
universal suffrage in the next five years. Voters’ resentment at 15 years of
Beijing ignoring calls for universal suffrage, the massive influx of Chinese
tourism and the ever-ballooning wealth divide didn’t play in the CCP’s favor.
Taiwan’s situation is not that different, although the details are particular to
Taiwan’s position. President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) government and the Chinese
Nationalist Party (KMT) have virtually been acting on the CCP’s behalf ever
since retaking power in 2008, and had been doing so even when they were in
opposition.
The Ma administration has rolled back education reforms initiated under the
Democratic Progressive Party to de-emphasize Taiwan’s unique place in the
Asia-Pacific and shift the focus back to Taiwan as a part of an overarching
Chinese civilization. It has signed Taiwan’s economy over to China and given
Beijing final say in decisions that would give Taiwan a bit of international
space — just look at how Ma gushed with pleasure when Beijing gave a tentative
green light to Taiwan’s joining the UN-affiliated International Civil Aviation
Organization.
However, like in Hong Kong, the Ma administration may have overstepped its
boundaries when the National Communications Commission approved the Want Want
China Times Group’s bid to acquire the cable TV services owned by China Network
Systems, effectively allowing Tiananmen Square Massacre denier and Beijing
stooge Tsai Eng-meng (蔡衍明) to create a giant news monopoly in Taiwan.
If there is one thing Taiwanese cherish, it is their daily dose of news. From
cab drivers to business owners, young and old alike, all seem to have an opinion
about the political situation and the cross-strait balance. Taiwan has more
dedicated news channels than most countries and a plethora of programs devoted
to analyzing or reporting the news, while radio stations give full vent to
political rants at just about every turn.
Jeopardizing the freedom to talk about the news and have an independent opinion
on China is hitting Taiwanese where it hurts, just like trying to train Hong
Kong children to be Little-Red-Book-toting communists hit them where it hurts.
There is a backlash brewing, and it will be felt in the polling booths, just
like the backlash taking shape in Hong Kong right now.
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