The Political Malaise of Taiwan Parties as Seen Through the Disputes over “Free Economic Zones”

 The Political Malaise of Taiwan Parties as Seen Through the Disputes over “Free Economic Zones”

United Daily News Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan)

March 14, 2019

 Translation of an Excerpt

Kaohsiung City Mayor Han Kuo-yu appealed to the central government, hoping to push for a "pilot free economic zone" in order to help Kaohsiung's metamorphosis. Who knew, the DPP, however, launched attacks from all sides, accused him of being "targeted for economic united front tactics." Premier Su Tseng-chang listed "four infeasibilities," saying that free economic zone would turn Taiwan into Mainland China’s "accomplice." This kind of accusatory policy debate has reached the extent of disregarding right and wrong and not a bit of rationality; it not only reflects the degradation of Taiwan’s party politics, but also explains the crux of the Taiwan’s economic stagnation.

The reason that the DPP employs all efforts to oppose and block "free economic zones," speaking plainly, is because it was a program proposed by the KMT, hence, it by no means will be allowed to become a reality. As to whether the establishment of free economic zones is beneficial to Taiwan’s economic development, however, that is completely outside of the Green camp’s consideration. What is more serious is that looking at Premier Su’s grounds for opposing free economic zones basically it is treated from the angle of "export processing zones". In actuality, the establishment of free economic zones is in fact demonstrating "innovation," including i-logistics, international healthcare, agricultural products with added-value, financial services, etc., which is entirely unrelated to "manufacturing processing" in the imagination of Su Tseng-chang. Su Tseng-chang is still leading the Executive Yuan (Cabinet) with the thinking of "manufacturing processing" filled in his brains; even if he likes to be called a go-getter, how far can he get?

DPP government agencies this time rose to oppose free economic zones, aiming, in fact, only at annihilating Han Kuo-yu, and not suddenly having some insightful views for Taiwan’s economic development, hence, it can only open fire around the “China-phobia” axis. We wholeheartedly expect that the DPP will extricate itself from the "opposition’s thinking," which has been ossified for decades, and ponder with humility that after having shouted the "love Taiwan" slogan for so many years, whither will it lead Taiwan in the end? As the central government, if it cannot point out a correct development direction for the country, nor galvanize the society toward solidarity, yet wants to oppose and block the local governments that strive for projects, would this government be worthy of support? For good party politics, the secret lies not in negating opponents all the way, but in uplifting the quality of the country through competition and mutual stimulation. This kind of mentality, we, however, are not able to find in the DPP.

Attachment : none