Peace boost across Straits as KMT landslide in Parliamentary Elections

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SampanViking

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The prospects for peace across the Straits of Taiwan have taken a massive swing for the better in the wake of the KMT's landslide victory in Saturdays parliamentary elections, with the KMT taking 81 out of the available 113 seats and their allies taking 5, leaving the ruling DPP with only 27.

Taiwanese President Chen Shui Bian has resigned his chairmanship if the DPP in recognition of his part in his parties poor showing. The post has been taken by DPP Presidential candidate Frank Hsieh.

The KMT are now very optimistic in their campaign to get the Presidency for their candidate Ma Ying-Jeou in March, who currently enjoys a 20% lead over his rival in the polls.

Mr Ma has repeatedly said that defusing tensions and increasing the security and understanding across the Straits will be a major priority for him.
 

akinkhoo

Junior Member
The KMT are now very optimistic in their campaign to get the Presidency for their candidate Ma Ying-Jeou in March, who currently enjoys a 20% lead over his rival in the polls.
if you watch taiwan news, there is much concern that because KMT is SO successful, the moderate might vote DPP into presidency again just to balance power. there is no sure win for KMT yet, but it does look good for taiwan.
 

ccL1

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if you watch taiwan news, there is much concern that because KMT is SO successful, the moderate might vote DPP into presidency again just to balance power. there is no sure win for KMT yet, but it does look good for taiwan.

It wouldn't matter much if a DPP or pan-green President gets elected, although I think that won't happen. It wouldn't matter because the KMT and the other pan-blue allies control 75%+ of the Legislative Yuan, and that gives them enough of the legislature to oust a sitting President.

But like I said, I don't think it'll come to that as I think the KMT will win the Presidency, but not with the same numbers as the legislative elections. More like 55% to 45%, 52% to 48%, or something along those lines.

And that's a good thing, because tensions between China and Taiwan can finally start easing. It's best for both and for the nations that have a stake there.
 
D

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It wouldn't matter because the KMT and the other pan-blue allies control 75%+ of the Legislative Yuan, and that gives them enough of the legislature to oust a sitting President.

It allows them to start a recall of the president - they can't do it by themselves. The public would need to agree to it in a national referendum of the sort they held with the legislative elections.

And that's a good thing, because tensions between China and Taiwan can finally start easing.

Only if China agrees to talks on a fair basis and stops its ridiculous missile build-up. When was it planning to stop? 1,500 missiles? 5,000? 10,000? Until the whole of Fujian province is full of them?

And stopping is only the first step. They need to be removed and then agree on a way to destroy most of them.
 

kickars

Junior Member
Only if China agrees to talks on a fair basis and stops its ridiculous missile build-up. When was it planning to stop? 1,500 missiles? 5,000? 10,000? Until the whole of Fujian province is full of them?

And stopping is only the first step. They need to be removed and then agree on a way to destroy most of them.

You are starting an egg and chicken question.

I don't think the issues between two sides can use words like 'only if' to start with. For a foreigner like you it's easy to say words like these, or to 'blame' one side.

Anyway, back to the original question. As a Chinese who was born in mainland China and lived there till the age of 16, but now living in the west for over a decade, I'd say I'm also glad to see this result, not for any other reasons, only because this will certainly ease the tension and help Taiwan's economy in the near future. For me the lives of people on both sides are far more important than the politics. I do hope soon people from mainland will be able to travel to Taiwan freely, and Taiwan's economy will benefit from mainlanders.
 
D

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Oh please… I am sure there are numerous American ballistic missiles pointing at China right now. I don’t see Chinese people crying about it everyday.

China has the ability to strike back and wipe out at least the US West Coast if attacked with US nuclear weapons - does Taiwan have the ability to do anywhere as much damage to China as China can to it even through conventional missiles? No. So you are comparing apples with oranges.

I don't think the issues between two sides can use words like 'only if' to start with. For a foreigner like you it's easy to say words like these, or to 'blame' one side.

China uses words like "only if" all the time. Such as it will talk to parties only if they recognise the one China principle.
 

Violet Oboe

Junior Member
Without doubt there exists a substantial difference in international status between an ascending major power like the PRC and a rather small middle power like Taiwan (...though Taiwan is fairly strong for only 22 million people!). The US assumes a patronizing attitude even in dealing with countries like Mexico (100 million inhabitants) or Brazil (180 million) so other major powers like e.g. China, Russia and increasingly India are also indicating who is in charge. :D

The problem of PLA ballistic and cruise missiles deployed in the Taiwan theater is very intricate dear Fu since these missiles are fully mobile and they play an important role in PLA's overall strategy. Indeed Beijing could concede a verifiable rebasing to other military regions but asking for destroying all DF-11/15 is certainly not acceptable for China. None the less negotiations about pressing military problems in the straits are necessary now but Taipeh will have to make concessions too. :coffee:
 

LIGO

New Member
China has the ability to strike back and wipe out at least the US West Coast if attacked with US nuclear weapons - does Taiwan have the ability to do anywhere as much damage to China as China can to it even through conventional missiles? No. So you are comparing apples with oranges.

You first complained about PLA’s having multiple missiles pointing at Taiwan because you felt that PLA is threatening Taiwan, not because Taiwan’s military’s lack of ability to strike back. So please do not change your reason of complaint.

Now, I don’t think anyone can argue that just because of China’s rather limited ability to strike back (wiping out US West Coast is a huge exaggeration), the American ballistic missiles won’t ever be put into use or are not threatening Chinese people. Therefore, if Taiwanese military personnel (as most causalities in the event of PLA missile strike would be from Taiwan’s military) can complain, the hundreds of millions of mainland Chinese people who would perish in the event of U.S. unclear strike can complain too.

On the other hand, if you were really complaining about Taiwan’s lack of ability to strike back… is that PLA’s fault? So why should PLA disarm itself?
 

kickars

Junior Member
China uses words like "only if" all the time. Such as it will talk to parties only if they recognise the one China principle.
Yes, you are right. mainland China does use words like 'only if' all the time with the issues between herself and Taiwan. It's her own business, of coz she can use whatever words she feels like. Coz at the end of the day, it'll be China who takes the responsibility with what she says.

But for a foreigner it's a different story. You personally has never lived or educated in both mainland China and Taiwan. What's more, you don't even have any families back there. So it's easy for people like you who has a whole different culture and social/family backgrounds to use simple words like 'only if' to conclude other countries' issues. And of coz if mainland China really does what you said, you will never take the responsibility in the end (13+ billion people 10000 miles east will)! That's why personally I don't think it's right for people like you to say things like that.
 
D

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But for a foreigner it's a different story.

I disagree. Last year Hu Jintao asked the world for its help in dealing with Taiwan. You can't backtrack when certain people/parts of the world criticise China.

you will never take the responsibility in the end

I can and probably will be affected because all our interests are more global than they have ever been. If there is peace/war between China and Taiwan there will be ramifications around the world.

Plus this is an open forum. If you don't like that you can go somewhere else.

So I can comment, thanks.
 
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