Terry Gou-Ko Wen-je Alliance, a Hodgepodge Vehicle of Naked Power

 Terry Gou-Ko Wen-je Alliance, a Hodgepodge Vehicle of Naked Power

China Times Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan)

August 16, 2019

 Translation of an Excerpt

Since Ko Wen-je established the Taiwan People's Party, he has been actively beckoning Terry Gou, who lost in the KMT primary; Wang Jin-pyng, who did not enter the KMT primary, however, has also wanted to take part. The 2020 strategic alliances between Ko, Gou and Wang thus has taken a preliminary shape, and will join forces to enter the presidential and the legislative elections. This grouping seems to be strong in formation, looking like part of a triangle with the KMT and the DPP, allowing Terry Gou to have a place in the presidential race and allowing Ko Wen-je to become a crucial figure in the future Legislative Yuan.

Talking about thinking and beliefs, logically they are the primary task for a political party in seeking partners for political coalitions, otherwise, if the paths were different, how could they talk about a partnership? In Taiwan at this juncture, the most important consideration for political partnership is what the thinking and beliefs of each partner towards cross-Strait relations are. Do they have any consensus? Precisely on this most crucial issue, Ko Wen-je and Terry Gou's advocacies are not on the same page, even polarized. Terry Gou considers the Republic of China as the axis of everything, believing in the "1992 Consensus/one China, different interpretations”, while Ko Wen-je, nevertheless, indicates that the "1992 Consensus/one China, different interpretations” cannot be the central thought. If the two have divergences with respect to the fundamental coordinates on the principle that Taiwan belongs to one China, as well as having divergences with regard to whether the two sides of the Strait engage in exchanges on the political foundation based on the fundamental coordinates, yet still want to be coalesced as an entity, then it is tantamount to a grouping for naked political interests, without common political thinking or beliefs at all.

The alliance between Ko Wen-je and Terry Gou is a hodgepodge vehicle for power; Terry Gou must not be guided by emotions of fury, nor be obsessed by with sugar-coated poison. Confronted with the crucial moment of the survival or demise of the Republic of China, with respect to such vital issues of personal reputation and integrity, values as well as success or failure, Gou must prudently and cautiously ponder and analyze deeply, letting reason be the guide.

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