Wang Tuoh: Wu Po-hsiung plays along with China, downgrades Taiwan

Secretary General Wang Tuoh responding to KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung’s visit to China said that it is unsuitable for a political party to play the role as negotiator for Cross-strait talks. Wang added that it is regrettable that Wu chose to play along with China, by downgrading Taiwan’s status as a country, ‘denationalizing’ Taiwan’s government, and downgrading Taiwan into a regional local actor. Wang also called for the KMT to abandon its differences with the DPP, in order for Taiwan to form a united China policy that would be beneficial to Taiwan.

Wang said that stability and peace in the cross-strait has always been a long term goal of the DPP. Only through peace and stability, can Taiwan truly benefit in the long-run. The DPP is happy to see that the ruling KMT is working hard to establish stability and peace between the cross-strait, and the DPP would be willing to help out, if necessary. However the DPP remains concerned with the party-to-party negotiation trend initiated by Lien Chan and Wu Po-hsiung through the so called “KMT-CCP dialogue platform,” as these negotiations are beyond the control of official channels.

Wang pointed out that firstly, that there must be strict regulations and conditions for party-to-party interaction between the cross-strait. Political parties are unsuited and do not have the authority to represent the Taiwanese government in cross strait negotiations. Even though the “Act Governing Relations Between Peoples of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area” does not directly prohibit dialogue between political parties across the strait, however unless explicitly authorized by the government, political parties do not and cannot represent governmental authority, and should not be allowed to sign any agreements or issue any communiqués. Wang added, to in order for any civilian organization to conduct law-binding negotiations, they must first be officially authorized by the government to do so, and should meet the three following conditions: to be a non-profit public good based organization, professional, and that the government will have the ability to have control of these negotiations.

Secondly, the DPP is very concerned that these ‘KMT-CCP’ dialogues could seriously endanger Taiwan’s sovereignty and weaken the role of our government. Wang pointed out that during Wu’s trip to China, he has played along with China’s tactic of de-nationalizing Taiwan, de-centralizing our government, and the downgrading of Taiwan into a regional identity. Wu failed to condemn China’s military threats to Taiwan, and failed to address China’s hostility and constant blocking of Taiwan’s right to participate in the WHO and other international organizations. Wu in essence has helped China downgraded the status of Taiwan, and even reduced President Ma to become Mr. Ma of Taipei.

Wang emphasized, that since the opening of ties between China and Taiwan, there have been benefits in the relationship, but many others have also been sacrificed in these exchanges. Though many Taiwanese businesses and investments in China, and cross strait brokers might have benefited from trade ties, however China’s hostile dumping of its products, has led to unemployment amongst blue collar workers, as well as seriously damaged Taiwan’s local industries and its agricultural sector. Though the DPP is in favor of cross strait exchanges, and to establish stability and peace across the strait, however the DPP is even more concerned for Taiwan’s marginalized and disadvantageous groups that are hurt through these exchanges. The DPP thus will continue to be prepared to closely monitor, and conduct risk control from any damages that could result from the hasty opening of exchanges between the two sides.

Wang Tuoh added that the DPP will support any cross-strait exchanges, as long as these dialogues are based on equal respect of sovereignty between the two sides, with Taiwan’s national interests and cross-strait peace in mind. At the same time, the DPP would be happy to see the promotion of Taiwan’s democracy and advance China’s democratization in these exchanges. Additionally as long as no conditions are set, the DPP is also happy to initiate contact and interact with China.

Secretary General Wang Tuoh also said that in order to prevent China from fragmenting Taiwan from within, all political parties should put aside their differences, and work together to form a unified China policy. Only as a unified country, can Taiwan truly benefit from its negotiations with China.

Wang Tuoh: Wu Po-hsiung plays along with China, downgrades Taiwan