Tsai Ing-wen's "Taiwan Consensus" is Devoid of Content

Tsai Ing-wen's "Taiwan Consensus" is Devoid of Content
United Daily News editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)
A Translation
September 20, 2011

Summary: Tsai Ing-wen's primary motive for promoting her "Taiwan consensus," is to bolster her claim that "Taiwan has no consensus." Tsai Ing-wen is not really advocating any "Taiwan consensus." Her so-called "Taiwan consensus" is devoid of content. Her only motive is to repudiate the real "Taiwan consensus," the Republic of China and the Republic of China Constitution.

Full Text below:

Tsai Ing-wen's primary motive for promoting her "Taiwan consensus," is to bolster her claim that "Taiwan has no consensus."

Tsai Ing-wen's so-called "Taiwan consensus" refers to a consensus on national identity and cross-Strait relations. She argues that there is no consensus on these issues. She calls for an "open and transparent democratic process" to establish a "Taiwan consensus." She even wants to pass a "Taiwan consensus law," by which national identity and cross-Strait relations can be calibrated.

But when it comes to national identity and cross-Strait relations, why doesn't Tsai Ing-wen consider the Republic of China and the Republic of China Constitution indicative of a "Taiwan consensus?" If the the Republic of China and the Republic of China Constitution are indicators of a "Taiwan consensus," is there really any need for some other "Taiwan consensus?" Therefore, when Tsai Ing-wen promotes her "Taiwan consensus," her real motive is to deny that the Republic of China and the Republic of China Constitution represent a "Taiwan consensus."

Tsai Ing-wen is runnng for president on behalf of the Taiwan independence movement. She has nothing good to say about the Republic of China, which she refers to as a "government in exile." She has nothing good to say about the Republic of China Constitution, which she hopes to subject to "name rectifications" and replace following the "authoring of a new constitution." She does not think the Republic of China and the Republic of China Constitution represent a "Taiwan consensus." She wants to replace them with a "Taiwan Consensus Law." But is the opinion of Tsai Ing-wen and Taiwan independence forces shared by most people on Taiwan?

Tsai Ing-wen's so-called "Taiwan consensus" is a new twist on how to promote Taiwan independence. But one that differs little from past attempts to promote Taiwan independence. If anything, it is even more illusory, and devoid of substance. The Taiwan independence has long had two goals. One. Repudiate the Republic of China and the Republic of China Constitution. Two. Demand that the future of Taiwan be determined by "democratic procedure" such as public referenda. Tsai Ing-wen's "Taiwan consensus" is merely more of the same old bromides.

Past attempts to promote Taiwan independence include the Taiwan Independence Party Platform, the Resolution on Taiwan's Future, and the Resolution for a Normal Nation. These openly advocated various Taiwan independence policies, including Taiwan independence nation-building, backdoor listing, the Rectification of Names, and the authoring of a new constitution. Tsai Ing-wen's "Taiwan consensus" resolutedly repudiates the Republic of China and the Republic of China Constitution. But amazingly enough it makes no concrete proposals. All it says is that "everything will be decided in accordance with democratic procedures." It is utterly devoid of content.

DPP calls for Taiwan independence have turned the Republic of China and the Republic of China Constitution into objects of political controversy. But when it comes to national identity and cross-Strait relations, the Republic of China and the Republic of China Constitution are the greatest common denominators on Taiwan. In short, they are a "Taiwan consensus." Therefore what excuse do Tsai Ing-wen and the Taiwan independence movement have for repudiating the Republic of China and the Republic of China Constitution? The DPP cannot deny that most people on Taiwan endorse the Republic of China and the Republic of China Constitution. To most people on Taiwan, the Republic of China and the Republic of China Constitution do constitute a "Taiwan consensus."

In fact, the 1992 consensus is the one thing on which there is the greatest agreement. The 1992 consensus affirms the Republic of China and the Republic of China Constitution." In terms of national identity, The 1992 consensus accords with the Republic of China and the Republic of China Constitution. In terms of cross-Strait relations, The 1992 consensus accords with one China, different interpretations. The 1992 consensus accords with no [immediate] reunification, no independence,and no use of force. The 1992 consensus accords with non-recognition of each other's sovereignty, and non-repudiation of each other's jurisdiction. The 1992 consensus accords with the premise that future cross-strait relations will be determined in accordance with ROC constitutional procedures, and the decisions made by 23 million people." Furthermore, the Republic of China and the Republic of China Constitution have long been characterized by "open and transparent democratic procedures." The Republic of China will soon hold its fifth direct presidential election. Which of these long standing political realities does not constitute a "Taiwan consensus?" Which of these long standing political realities was not the product of "open and transparent democratic procedures?" Which of these long standing political realities does not trump and transcend Tsai Ing-wen's "Taiwan's consensus?" Can there possibly be a more legitimate, more rational, more practical "Taiwan consensus" than the Republic of China and the Republic of China Constitution?

Tsai Ing-wen is not really advocating any "Taiwan consensus." Her so-called "Taiwan consensus" is devoid of content. Her only motive is to repudiate the real "Taiwan consensus," the Republic of China and the Republic of China Constitution.

To underscore the "democratic process," Tsai Ing-wen went so far as to admit that "Reunification is also an option when establishing a Taiwan consensus." One. Will Tsai Ing-wen include this option in her updated "Taiwan Next Cross-Strait Issues?" Two. Will Tsai Ing-wen make it a major part of her election campaign? Does Tsai Ing-wen plan to compete with President Ma's "no reunification" clause? Three. Has Tsai Ing-wen reached an agreement with Lee Teng-hui, Chen Shui-bian, and other Taiwan independence elements? Four. In the event she is elected, does Tsai Ing-wen intend to pledge allegiance to the Republic of China, as specified in her oath of office? Five. If she does, what justification does she have for repudiating the Republic of China and the Republic of China Constitution, the 1992 consensus, and one China, different interpretations?

Tsai Ing-wen later retracted her statement, exposing her dilemma, her desperation, and her lack of coherent arguments.

「台灣共識」又是一碟空心菜
【聯合報╱社論】 2011.09.20

蔡英文拋出「台灣共識」，其主要目的是在強調「台灣沒有共識」。

蔡英文所謂的「台灣共識」，是指國家認同與兩岸關係方面的「共識」。對此，她否認目前存有「共識」，而認為必須另循「公開透明的民主程序」，建立「台灣共識」，甚至立法，做為國家認同及兩岸關係的準據。

然而，在國家認同與兩岸關係方面，蔡英文何以認為中華民國及中華民國憲法不是「台灣共識」？如果中華民國及中華民國憲法就是「台灣共識」，則何必另倡「台灣共識」？所以，蔡英文提「台灣共識」，其真正意圖是在否認中華民國及中華民國憲法為「台灣共識」。

蔡英文代表台獨勢力參選總統，她迄未對中華民國（是她所稱的流亡政府？）及中華民國憲法（仍待正名制憲？）表達正面看法；且不以中華民國及中華民國憲法為「台灣共識」，而欲代以《台灣共識法》。但是，若說中華民國與中華民國憲法「不是台灣共識」，這究竟只是蔡英文及台獨勢力的看法？還是台灣多數民眾的見解？

蔡英文的「台灣共識」，是台獨理論的新版本；唯較過去所有的台獨老版本更虛幻，根本是一碟空心菜。台獨理論的一貫基本邏輯架構是：一、否定中華民國及中華民國憲法；二、台灣未來由「民主程序」（如公投）決定。蔡英文的「台灣共識」無非又是如法炮製。

然而，過去的台獨主張，自《台獨黨綱》、《台灣前途決議文》、《正常國家決議文》，皆曾明白宣示具體主張，表達了「台獨建國」、「借殼上市」及「正名制憲」等不同的台獨政策。但令人嘆為觀止的是蔡英文如今提出的「台灣共識」，雖仍然一貫否定中華民國及中華民國憲法，卻未提出任何具體主張，竟謂「一切待當選後以民主程序決定」。這豈不分明是一碟空心菜？

眾所皆知，由於民進黨的台獨操作，使中華民國及中華民國憲法一直成為政治爭議；但中華民國及中華民國憲法，畢竟是台灣社會在國家認同及兩岸關係上的最大公約數（亦即共識）。然則，只憑蔡英文及台獨否認中華民國及中華民國憲法，就能一口否定中華民國及中華民國憲法作為多數人民參與並認同的「台灣共識」嗎？

其實，九二共識，對台灣而言，不啻就是主張「中華民國及中華民國憲法是最高的台灣共識」。在國家認同上，我們是遵行中華民國憲法的中華民國，在兩岸關係上則是「一中各表」、「不統／不獨／不武」，「主權互不承認／治權互不否認」，「兩岸關係的未來，由中華民國憲法程序決定，亦即由兩千三百萬人民決定」；何況，中華民國及中華民國憲法，始終皆在「公開透明的民主程序」下運作，且如今將舉行第五次總統直選，這些政治事實，哪一點不是已經正在積澱「台灣共識」？又哪一點不是已經相當程度地形成了「台灣共識」？有哪一點不是經過「公開透明的民主程序」？又哪一點不是取代並超越了蔡英文所能想像的「台灣共識」？捨中華民國及中華民國憲法，寧有其他更正當合理可行的「台灣共識」？

所以，蔡英文不是要提出「台灣共識」（根本是空心菜），她的目的只是要否認中華民國與中華民國憲法為「台灣共識」。

為了凸顯「民主程序」，蔡英文居然說：「統一也是台灣共識的選項。」一、蔡英文是否要將此作為《十年政綱兩岸篇》的增訂版？二、是否將以此作為主要競選政見，並與馬總統的「不統」抗衡？三、是否已與李扁等台獨勢力取得「共識」？四、是否承諾在若當選後將列為就職文告的明文宣示？五、倘係如此，更有何理由否認中華民國、中華民國憲法、九二共識、一中各表？

蔡英文後來竟又吞回了這句話，徒然暴露出她的進退失據，走投無路，似已到了語無倫次的程度。