"Across the Strait, We Are One" May Solve the Predicament of Tsai Ing-wen’s Governance

 "Across the Strait, We Are One" May Solve the Predicament of Tsai Ing-wen’s Governance

China Times Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)

  July 23, 2017

 Translation of an Except

Tsai Ying-wen has been in office for over a year; whether in domestic politics, cross-Strait affairs, or diplomacy, only one word "chaotic" may describe them. To this, the "Liberty Times," the long-term, self-styled organ of the Green camp, has begun to be critical. Its editorial diagnosed the crisis of Tsai's governance, believing that Tsai's main illness lies in the "tempo of governance, it has not grabbed the priorities," "domestic battlefield deep in quagmire, chaotic social situations, one follows the other.” For this part, the diagnosis is not wrong, but the editorial blamed the chaotic situations on anti-pension/annuities groups, labeling those who protest as long being pro-China, and blaming “intervention of Chinese influence.” Quack doctors could cause death; quack editorials could harm the country. If Tsai Ying-wen indeed adopts the theory of this quack editorial, not only would it fail to solve the predicament of governance plagued by thousands of maladies, it would add fuel to the DPP government sitting on tinderboxes everywhere, only deepening the chaotic situation.

Then how should Tsai Ying-wen break through this quandary? Very simple, yet very difficult. Tsai Ying-wen must immediately stop the "political calculations" that could only sweep the problems under the rug, and could not solve the problem: instead, she should have an open mind and "calculate the big picture" with a more elevated vista. The first step in calculating the big picture is to accept wholeheartedly the identity that "Taiwanese are also Chinese" and on this identity, work for harmony between the Blue and Green camps domestically, and pacify the other side of the Strait. Domestically, Tsai Ying-wen must, as soon as possible, resolve the Blue-Green confrontation, erecting a true Taiwan consensus.

For the present, Tsai Ying-wen should lead all countrymen to re-establish the identity of being "Chinese," when Tsai is willing to speak out that "I am a Taiwanese and also Chinese," she will be able to restore the sense of compatriots that are linked to the umbilical cord, becoming “we are one.” Only this way can the two sides of the Strait return to spring days and will it be possible that Tsai Ying-wen can step out of the impasse in her governance.

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