Xiamen-Kinmen Water Pipeline and 60th Anniversary of 8/23 Artillery Duel

  Xiamen-Kinmen Water Pipeline and 60^th Anniversary of 8/23 Artillery Duel

United Daily News Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan)

August 5, 2018

 Translation of an Excerpt

On the eve of the 60^th anniversary of the August 23^rd artillery duel, after several twists and turns, the Xiamen-Kinmen water pipeline finally became a reality; this is indeed a big event in cross-Strait exchanges. On August 23, 60 years ago, on one night more than 30,000 artillery shells bombarded the tiny island of Kinmen, shattering nearly every roof tile, but not squashing the will and determination of the Kinmen population to defend the Republic of China. Sixty years on, Kinmen and Xiamen morphed from "artillery shell duel" into "water pipeline," from the smoke of mutual destruction into cooperation and reciprocity for people’s welfare; this is a revelation full of historical significance for the current deadlock in the doldrums of the cross-Strait vicious situation.

After the 8/23 artillery duel, the Mainland's battery fire went on for another 21 years on a basis of "odd number days on, even numbers days off." Precisely because Kinmen withstood so much sufferings the Republic of China has been able to sustain its lifeline, safeguarding the peaceful years of Taiwan’s society for decades; the government of Taiwan has owed the people on Kinmen an uncountable debt of gratitude. Now, because of the changes in the East Asian Youth Games, the DPP government tossed out countermeasures, nearly leaving Kinmen once again a victim in cross-Strait wrangling. The mixed emotions in the midst, we believe, must be deeply felt at heart by the population of Kinmen.

The cross-Strait water pipeline ceremony originally could have injected a stream of crystal clear spring in the current icy cold cross-Strait relations, at a minimum, it was an opportunity for exhibiting mutual goodwill; however, because of the Tsai government’s political considerations, it was difficult to achieve a happy ending. Originally, the water pipeline for Kinmen was ready to be inaugurated in June, but the Tsai government, considering that the "Cross-Strait Forum" was being held at that time, was afraid the Mainland would use it as a platform for united-front tactics, thus asked Kinmen for postponement. With the Mainland’s understanding, the date was changed to August. Now, the Tsai government again attempted to place obstacles for political reasons, but this move only for made things difficult for the residents of Kinmen, and could not hamstring the other side of the Strait. In comparison, obstruction attempts on the part of the Mainland Affairs Council, the Mainland government, on the other hand, actively mobilized to win the hearts and minds Kinmen residents; this contrast, the Tsai government’s mistreatment of the people with calculations and machinations, ending in a situation of harm to others, but not benefitting itself. In the water pipeline ceremony, the absence of central government officials only exposed their stupidity and ridiculousness.

The historic significance of 8/23 in fact transcends reunification and independence, so does the Kinmen water pipeline. If the Tsai government cannot pragmatically develop the economy and respond to the needs of people's livelihood, but devotes itself to calculations of the political interests of the party and party members, it will eventually pay a price for myopia and short-term benefits. In fact it is not important whether the DPP government succeeds or fails, the important thing is the future of Kinmen, Matsu, Taiwan and Penghu. This side of the Taiwan Strait cannot completely abandon on the other side and exist. This is an unshakeable reality for the government of the Republic of China. In a flash of a moment for the powers that be, being fully aware that the water pipeline would alleviate the thirst of tens of thousands of residents, who would be happy to see the re-ignition of artillery fire, leaving the living souls in gun smoke and sufferings?

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