The democratic progressive party of President Tsai Ing-wen has suffered in Taiwan a electoral defeat. This shows that the issue of China is neither the largest nor the only concern of the Taiwanese, says Frank Sieren.
What a charming topic of the relationship between Taiwan and mainland China is still showed in the middle of the month a small scandal with the “Golden Horse Awards”, the year in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, to be held in the Chinese counterpart to the Oscars. In her acceptance speech, a young documentary filmmaker announced there, her biggest wish is that Taiwan will be recognized one day as an “independent”. Ang Lee, Oscar winner and President of the Golden Horse Committee, sat there with a frozen Smile. The embarrassing topic he would have avoided gladly. But by then it was too late: the Transfer of The ceremony was interrupted in China.
DW-columnist Frank Sieren
At the after-Party, the chairs remained empty. Several participants from the mainland were early left. The Shitstorm on Chinese Social Media platforms had not long to wait. At the end of Taiwan’s President, Tsai Ing saw, even-who are compelled to comment: “I am proud of yesterday’s Golden Horse Awards, which have shown the differences between Taiwan and mainland China. Because of our freedom and diversity of artistic output is free in this place.”
Eggs dance and tightrope
For Taiwanese politicians, public opinions are to a large neighbors often eggs dance and high-wire act at the same time. Since the founding of the people’s Republic in 1949, Beijing regards Taiwan as a renegade province with no right to inter-state relations. Tsai Ing-wen, who came in 2016, with a landslide victory to Power, has enlarged the distance to China. Although Taiwan depends economically from the mainland and is not one of the hardliners of her party, she went the distance to China and refused to accept a watered-down Form of the Beijing-China’s proclaimed principle. Beijing broke off the contact and tried to isolate the island internationally. Companies such as Lufthansa and Zara have been reprimanded, the countries of category “Taiwan” and to use instead the term “PRC” or “Taiwan, China”. In addition, it succeeded in Beijing, five smaller States that belonged to the few, to draw the Taiwan diplomatically recognized, to his side.
Local elections: setback for the President (R)
The frosty relations could thaw out again soon. In the municipal elections in Taiwan, Tsai has not retracted at the weekend, a setback and as a consequence of their withdrawal, as the leader of the Democratic progressive party (DDP) announced, even though it was not on the ballot. The vote, however, is comparable with the Midterms in the US. Superficially, it’s about the occupation of the mayor, district councils, and Offices at a local level. At the same time, elections serve primarily as an indicator of the political mood in the country and as an assessment of the achievements of the incumbent government.
Pragmatic Voters
Out of a total of 22 cities and regions in which it was tuned, could Tsais DPP win only six. In the previous election they had recorded 13 victories. The opposition Kuomintang party won in 15 cities and regions. Particularly painful: the loss of the cities of Kaohsiung and Taichung, which were regarded for decades as a safe DDP strongholds. “The Public has said their opinion. We will conduct a thorough Review,” said Tsai, who wants to remain still for the time being as the President of the country in office.
The reasons for Tsais electoral defeat are many and varied. Growing unemployment, stagnant wages, pension cuts and a tax system, the Rich benefit, have a large share of the dissatisfaction of the population. The issue of China is not the biggest Problem of the citizens. Without a doubt, you are proud of your country. You love your democracy, freedom of expression, the separation of powers and the rule of law.
No to China: Demonstration for Taiwan’s independence on may 20. October 2018
Especially the Younger ones, insist on their identity as Taiwanese. 20. October demonstrated tens of thousands in Taipei for a formal independence from the people’s Republic. The majority, however, has shown the choice of the case, especially in a pragmatic way. Stability, peace and prosperity, and not based most recently on the economic exchanges with the mainland, are more important to you. This was also demonstrated in a Referendum, according to which the athletes of the country at the Olympic Games in the future, under the name of Taiwan to compete under the name Chinese Taipei, which is in use since 1984. The proposal was rejected.
Dashed Hopes
The Taiwanese obviously want to keep prefer to the Status quo, as its deterioration risk. The sharper tone of voice, under Tsai had unsettled many people in the country to Trump the last by their new proximity. This took advantage of the US-American Status as Taiwan’s protective power, especially to push Beijing in front of the head. Shortly after his election victory, the end of 2016, Trump was on the phone with Tsai and referred to in a Tweet as “president of Taiwan” – a break with past diplomatic line. In Tsais term of office, the Taiwan Strait once again became dangerous. China held multiple military exercises off the coast. The United States also sent warships through the waters, which took Beijing with “great concern”. This tense Situation is likely to have cost Tsais party also votes.
The hope that relations with the U.S. could improve under Trump strong, were equally disappointed. Trump had – well-timed during the National people’s Congress in Beijing – a so-called “Taiwan Travel Act” signed by the official contact on the government to promote the level between the USA and Taiwan. However, his impulsive policy makes to many Taiwanese people the impression that he uses in Taiwan primarily as a means of exerting political pressure, the inhabitants of the island can be the consequences but even that is hurting. The latest indication: punitive tariffs for steel, which are actually directed against China, and now also Taiwan.
Big opponent: The Chinese President Xi Jinping during a military exercise in the South China sea
Beijing, the resurgence of the opposition welcomed the KMT party. Already in its last period of government under Ma Ying-jeou between 2008 and 2016, the KMT advocated business-friendly policies and the rapprochement with China, but Taiwan’s democracy. In fact, the game room of the Taiwanese was on the international stage at that time greater than it is now under Tsai. Your DDP must consider for the national elections, which take place in 2020, a new strategy.
Within the party there are hardliners, the Tsais rate compared to China thought to be resilient. They could emerge stronger from the election, and the call for independence from China, a pillar of their programme. A Declaration of independence of Taiwan is to Beijing as a “red line” that could “never accept”. So far, no Taiwanese government party, has called for formal independence officially. The pragmatists kept the upper hand. At the moment it looks as if this will continue.
Our columnist Frank Sieren has lived for more than 20 years in Beijing.