I have moved to North America for more than 30 years, even from the time I was sensible to the present, I have never seen Taiwan have today’s international visibility.
Today, Tsai Ing-wen met with the Speaker of the US House of Representatives in Los Angeles. After the meeting, the two spoke to the international media together; Speaker McCarthy also posted a number of tweets showing photos of the formal talks between Taiwan and the United States.
Many years ago, Lee Teng-hui stopped in Hawaii during his foreign visit, and the US side did not allow him to get off the plane. To express his protest, Lee Teng-hui dressed in pajamas and slippers, and met with the chairman of the Association in Taiwan who boarded the plane to visit. Compared with the two, Tsai Ing-wen can be said to have been treated with courtesy, which shows that the relationship between Taiwan and the United States is unprecedentedly close.
What is even more rare is that Tsai Ing-wen accepted the courtesy of the US as the “President of Taiwan”. Before President Tsai arrived in Los Angeles, McCarthy issued an interview notice to the media, calling Tsai Ing-wen the “President of Taiwan.”
This name has three meanings: Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country, the title of head of state is president, and the name of the country is Taiwan. McCarthy broke the diplomatic taboo of the US government and recognized the diplomatic relations between the US and Taiwan.
The news of the talks between Tsai Ing-wen and McCarthy occupied the pages of the world’s major media. What’s even more unusual is that almost all media use “Taiwan President” as the headline.
The international visibility brought about by Tsai Ing-wen’s visit has further confirmed the fact that Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country. Such a diplomatic outcome should make all separatists rejoice.
Not really!
Although Tsai Ing-wen is still abroad, radical separatists have begun to sing the opposite. In the past few days, I have seen radical separatists attacking Tsai Ing-wen on different social platforms:
~ Someone asked Tsai Ing-wen to take the Republic of China to leave, because Taiwan is not Tsai Ing-wen’s Taiwan.
~Some people deny that Tsai Ing-wen is the president of Taiwan. After my questioning, he replied that Tsai Ing-wen is the president of the Republic of China, and posted Tsai Ing-wen’s election certificate.
~ Some people are tired of Tsai Ing-wen taking the China Airlines plane to visit, and claim that Tsai Ing-wen’s acceptance of the official title of President of Taiwan is distortion, hypocrisy, wishful thinking, and hypocrisy.
~ Some people felt grief and indignation when they saw the crowd welcoming Tsai Ing-wen holding the blue sky and white sun flag, because this flag represents the Republic of China, not Taiwan.
These people who accused Tsai Ing-wen are not ordinary netizens, but independent figures with considerable status. These accusations against Tsai Ing-wen are not fair, factual, or sensible enough.
Not fair!
The existence of the Republic of China and the Blue Sky and White Sun Flag is a fait accompli in Taiwanese society, and Tsai Ing-wen is not responsible. In fact, Tsai Ing-wen’s election policy is to “maintain the status quo” and has no commitment to change the country’s name or national flag.
What is rare is that during Tsai Ing-wen’s tenure, Taiwan’s sovereign status has been greatly improved internationally. Even if the radical independence faction is unwilling to give Tsai Ing-wen affirmation, at least they should not speak ill of each other. The groundless abuse is not fair to Tsai Ing-wen.
It doesn’t match the facts!
Radical separatists accused Tsai Ing-wen of promoting the name of the Republic of China and deliberately suppressing Taiwan consciousness. Such accusations are inconsistent with the following facts:
~Tsai Ing-wen took office for five months, and the official title of President of the Republic of China was used in the signature of the King of Thailand, but Taiwan was added in brackets.
~Two years ago, Tsai Ing-wen submitted a letter to the internationally renowned “Foreign Affairs” journal, using the official title of President of Taiwan.
~Up to now, Tsai Ing-wen has delivered seven National Day speeches, and the number of mentions of the Republic of China has decreased year by year, and the number of times Taiwan has been used has increased.
Not wise enough!
It is really unwise for the radical independence faction to vent on Tsai Ing-wen the frustration of promoting the rectification of the constitution. The resistance to name rectification and constitutional reform does not lie with Tsai Ing-wen, but with the opposite side that intends to annex Taiwan and the international community that lacks moral courage.
If the radical independence faction really cares about rectifying the name and making the constitution, then they should spend their energy on countering the other side, or persuading the international community to support it. It is also unwise to find enemies in one’s own camp who are helpless to promote the rectification of the name and constitution.
#in conclusion
In the past few days, I have confronted radical separatists on different occasions. Although Taiwan’s international visibility is at its peak, they still continue to criticize Tsai Ing-wen. I can’t understand their logic, and I don’t want to speculate on their motives, but I hope they can treat Tsai Ing-wen fairly. (American university professor) 0405