It Was the Economy, Stupid

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His recent criticism of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao suggested his stance on Taiwan sovereignty would be firm. Wen belittled Taiwan's status in comments Tuesday, saying Tibet and Taiwan were both parts of China, and that the 1.3 billion Chinese and 23 million Taiwanese should jointly decide Taiwan's fate.

Ma called Wen's comments "irrational, arrogant and foolish," and said he wouldn't rule out a boycott of the Beijing Olympics this summer if the situation in Tibet deteriorated further. Such talk could be a preview of how he's likely to deal with China in the next four years. On economics, analysts say he'll be able to move quickly on his agenda. (Although it's not clear he has a sufficient cure for what ails Taiwan—particularly if a U.S. recession hits the export-dependent island hard.) But on cross-strait politics, the going will be even rougher.

Ma has often criticized China, saying it should apologize for the 1989 Tiananmen massacre, and that it should remove the 1,000 missiles pointed at Taiwan before peace talks could start. He spoke out against China's 2005 passage of the "Anti-secession Law," which codified its threat to attack Taiwan if the island makes its de facto independence permanent. He was subsequently denied a visa to visit his native Hong Kong.

Based on that record, analysts say that while cross-strait talks could resume under Ma, the
likelihood of a political breakthrough remains slim. "Economic linkages will bind the two sides together," said analyst Tsai. "But politically, they're drifting apart."

For their part, most Taiwan voters are focused on livelihoods, not grand peace deals. Coming out of a voting booth Saturday, Du Tie-lou, 31, had a simple rationale for supporting Ma. "I think if Ma's president, the laobaixing [common people] can make a living easier," said Du, his mouth stained red from the betel nut popular with Taiwan's working class. "He'll be better for the economy."

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Posted By: astephen @ 03/28/2008 2:12:10 AM

Enter Your Commentanyone regard or identify himself as so-called taiwanese, will be ridiculous logic,or actully extrememly selfish on the title of human being! let alone so-called DPP,ABSOLUTE HOOLIGANISM!
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Posted By: erinyifang @ 03/26/2008 7:07:42 AM

As a Taiwanese living in Taiwan, we don't have to proclaim for independence because we already are. From political view, China hasn't ruled us for decades, so it's not much point to argue on it. From geographical view, the regional economy would bring all the regional countries closer. It's a trend after post-cold war which is happening anywhere in the world. We elected for Ma just because DPP hasn't helped Taiwan improve much for last 8 years. Taiwan's identity is still a major consensus here. More than the half people here consider themselves as Taiwanese people only. Therefore, the result of the presidential election is much easier to see now. Definitely, Taiwan future has to be decided by Taiwanese people, not by the US nor China even though they might be factors to the decision. If Ma can't do it well, we can elect a better person from DPP in 4 years. It's the democracy we cherish here. And it's the way of improving our living.
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Posted By: erinyifang @ 03/26/2008 6:59:01 AM

As a Taiwanese living in Taiwan, we don't have to proclaim for independence because we already are. From political view, China hasn't ruled us for decades, so it's not much point to argue on it. From geographical view, the regional economy would bring all the regional countries closer. It's a trend after post-cold war which is happening anywhere in the world. We elected for Ma just because DPP hasn't helped Taiwan improve much for last 8 years. Taiwan's identity is still a major consensus here. 70% of the people here consider themselves as Taiwanese people only. Therefore, the result of the presidential election is much easier to see now. Definitely, Taiwan future has to be decided by Taiwanese people, not by the US nor China even though they might be factors to the decision. If Ma can't do it well, we can elect a better person from DPP in 4 years. It's the democracy we cherish here. And it's the way of improving our living.