China Times Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)
A Translation
April 9, 2015
Executive Summary: Speculation on next year's election results may be premature. But are the voters really that easy to deceive? Tsai Ing-wen has yet to take a position. That means her position remains unchanged from what it was in the past. That means she still refuses to recognize the 1992 consensus, that she intends to seal Taiwan off from the rest of the world, that she intends to return to confrontation with the Mainland, and that she intends to return Taiwan to what it was seven years ago. If Tsai Ing-wen thinks this characterization of her is unfair, she need not be shy. Tell the public on Taiwan what is really in your heart.
Full Text Below:
Tsai Ing-wen is the DPP 2016 presidential candidate. Both Mainland China and the United States have taken an unusual step. They have issued stern warnings to the DPP regarding its cross-Strait policy. Popular green camp mayor Wen-Je Ko surprised everyone by issuing his own "New Perspectives for 2015", reaching an understanding with the Mainland on the "one China" issue. These developments have clearly exerted pressure on the green camp regarding its cross-Strait policy. Over the past few days green camp elders have spoken out on cross-Strait issues. They have all addressed the DPP bottom line on Mainland China policy.
Among them was Frank Hsieh, who said, "A Taiwan consensus is not the same as a DPP consensus", and should include the opinions of the KMT and other parties. It should also include the position of the "current ROC Constitution." Hung Chi-chang wants the DPP to pledge that if it returns to power in 2016, it will not pursue de jure Taiwan independence. Hung said the DPP should formulate an intraparty "Resolution on the Republic of China." Hsu Hsin-liang wants the DPP to understand that any cross-Strait concept the Mainland cannot accept, the United States cannot accept. These statements and ideas undeniably differ little from the blue camp position on cross-Strait policy.
Why are so many green camp elders suddenly so eager to express their views on cross-Strait issues, now, at election time? None of these views are mainstream green camp views. Why are they so anxious? The answer is obvious. On the final mile to the presidency, the key remains green camp cross-Strait policy. They heard Taipei Mayor Wen-Je Ko issue his "New Perspectives for 2015" and say that "The one China principle is not a problem." They heard the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office express open "appreciation" for Ko's declaration. They think that if the green camp fails to seize this rare opportunity, then early next year all sorts of obstacles could prevent the DPP from negotiating the final mile.
The problem is that no matter how anxious these green camp elders might feel, DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen remains as immovable as a mountain. Everyone is waiting for Tsai Ing-wen to make her cross-Strait policy clear, in advance. But her response to all of them has been "No comment". She often makes statements that sound quite reasonable. But on closer examination, one realizes she in fact said nothing.
Tsai Ing-wen's recent comments on cross-Strait issues have reminded people why they call her "kong xin cai" or "no substance Tsai". She said "Recently many people have expressed concern over DPP cross-Strait policy. We have heard their views. Maintaining stable cross-Strait relations and maintaining security in the Taiwan Strait, remains our common goal. As for the future of Taiwan, it must be decided by the 23 million people living on it. That is the social consensus." Such words sound agreeable enough. But in fact they say nothing.
Why is Tsai Ing-wen so calm? She is calm because she has her strategy all mapped out. According to the polls, if the election were held tomorrow, she would become president. The 2016 presidency is hers for the taking. Why should she make her position any clearer? If she moves too close to the center, she runs the risk of offending deep green Taiwan independence elements. If she moves too close to the Taiwan independence fundamentalists, she will raise eyebrows on both sides of the Strait and in the United States. She has concluded that for her, the best position is no position. All of her statements are vague and fuzzy. Anything that can be put off, gets put off. After all, she's already won, right?
Tsai Ing-wen may think that time is on her side, that once she achieves her presidential dream that will be that. But how much time does Taiwan have left to squander? Her political party has obstructed passage of the STA, MTA, and other bills. Taiwan independence groups are pushing to amend the referendum law. Evidently Tsai opposes membership in the AIIB. It is precisely because she refuses to take a stand, that anti-STA, pro-Taiwan independence student movement voices are growing louder. They are about to snatch the green camp bully pulpit from the green camp mainstream. Tsai Ing-wen's silence has not just allowed the new generation to speak. It has tacitly affirmed their position. Put even more plainly, her refusal to take a stand has enabled deep green Taiwan independence fundamentalists to hijack her party.
If this is actually what Tsai Ing-wen wants, that would be one thing. After all, this is what she wanted at one time. But recently many want her to take a clear stand before she assumes high office. They want her to adopt a broader perspective. They want her to be more responsible. They want her to offer her own cross-Strait vision. Anyone who aspires to be a leader should evince such tolerance and insight. But apparently Tsai Ing-wen feels no need to do so. She thinks that even if she refuses to take a stand, she will nevertheless be elected. That is why even though green camp elders are anxious, she sits idly by, as motionless as a mountain.
Speculation on next year's election results may be premature. But are the voters really that easy to deceive? Tsai Ing-wen has yet to take a position. That means her position remains unchanged from what it was in the past. That means she still refuses to recognize the 1992 consensus, that she intends to seal Taiwan off from the rest of the world, that she intends to return to confrontation with the Mainland, and that she intends to return Taiwan to what it was seven years ago. If Tsai Ing-wen thinks this characterization of her is unfair, she need not be shy. Tell the public on Taiwan what is really in your heart.
兩岸關係蔡英文必須表態了
2015年04月09日 中國時報
蔡英文代表民進黨參選2016大選態勢底定，
這中間包括謝長廷主張「台灣共識不等於民進黨共識」，
為什麼突然有那麼多綠營大老選在這個時候，
問題是，不論這些綠營大老有多焦慮，
蔡英文近一次針對兩岸議題的談話，聽來真的讓人想起了「空心菜」
蔡英文為什麼能這般淡定？當然有她的算計！
問題是，蔡英文也許認為時間站在她那邊，
如果這真是蔡英文心理的真實想法，那倒也無妨，
或許，現在就猜測明年的選舉結果有些太早，
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