How Much Edge Is Left for Taiwan in Cross-Strait System Competition?

 How Much Edge Is Left for Taiwan in Cross-Strait System Competition?

China Times Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan)

June 7, 2018

 Translation of an Excerpt

"There is no national or cultural identity issues across the Taiwan Strait; what we have is only competition for systems and way of life." This was a passage in President Lee Teng-hui's inaugural address in 1996; although Lee Teng-hui only pointed out the "competition for systems," he did not narrate which was superior or inferior, but the fact that he took the initiative to toss out "competition for systems," already reflected Taiwan’s self-confidence at the time. In fact, 22 years ago, Taiwan had robust development in various facets, and therefore was truly qualified to be self-confident.

Times have changed, and Taiwan no longer talks about the "competition for systems." Just what is the “competition for systems”? The yardstick proposed by the Taiwan Affairs Office under the State Council was: "being able to allow the public to obtain veritable benefits, and being able to provide the public with better opportunities for development and greater space for development." The Mainland clearly has the upper hand in the competition for systems.

For many years, Taiwan has always taken a perception for granted: on the road in pursuit of democracy, democratic politics has superiority and legitimacy that cannot be challenged. However, this taken for granted perception, viewed from the results of the concrete practices of today, we are not sure it should be taken for granted. In contrast with the high efficiency demonstrated in the political system on the Mainland, the inefficiency of Taiwan’s democratic system has long dragged down, or even collapsed, the development of the economy.

Taiwan must do some solemn soul-searching, admitting that its own system has presented problems, and objectively recognize the superior phase of the Mainland system, so as to possibly reestablish the pride and confidence when it tossed out the “competition for systems” 20 years ago. The two sides of the Strait should both have a more open mind to look at this new wave of "competition for systems," and on the basis of the national identity of "Taiwanese are Chinese," conduct a competition between Chinese and Chinese.

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