Ifay Chang US-China Forum Columnist
Two phenomena and two facts were observed in the primary elections of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. On the Democratic side, in the state primaries, a growing number of voters chose "uncommitted," particularly noticeable in Michigan. On the Republican side, despite Trump consistently leading, there are still contenders like young Nikki Haley putting up a strong fight. On March 5th (Super Tuesday), twelve states held simultaneous primaries for both parties' presidential nominations, competing for the number of delegates supporting each candidate at the national conventions. The results showed that Biden won all twelve Democratic primaries, but voter turnout was not high. On the other hand, Trump won eleven states against his young opponent Haley (small but significant votes went to Haley, Haley won Vermont). These results revealed a clear dissatisfaction among American voters with both parties' nominations – they both are senior political figures.
Two notable facts emerged: Firstly, they are both senior, way passed retirement age. One wonders why they must seek office, especially the White House. Secondly, both carry the traditional (aged) political ideologies of their respective parties. When it comes to dealing with international issues, especially the challenges posed by a rising China and a divisive U.S. their policies have been one-sided, focusing on blaming China and anti-China sentiments without a clear and convincing strategy. Surprisingly, both entertained no approach to maintaining positive U.S.-China relations, leveraging American advantages, promoting cooperation, and pursuing a win-win China strategy.
Worse yet, voters feel they don't have good choices. This is the dilemma facing American voters in 2024. Currently, the two elderly candidates from two parties engage in political maneuvering on various issues, seeking the votes of a slim majority. Still, they lack any innovative proposals that could unite the nation. This is why the people are dissatisfied, and they are reluctant to take a clear stance to endorse the two senior candidates. Why can't experienced senior politicians contribute to national or international affairs without clinging to power? This is a true test of good democracy; the people and media should encourage senior political figures to serve the nation outside of the election process.
The results of Taiwan's presidential election are in. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) secured a victory with the support of only 28% of the voters. They elected Lai Ching-te, known as the "Golden Grandson Taiwanese for Independence" and gained insufficient control of the Legislative Yuan (DPP is a minority.), despite the DPP's political dominance. The DPP win is a narrow victory, with underlying risks of potential future defeats. The Kuomintang (KMT), represented by candidate Hou You-yi and running mate Zhao Shao-kang, lost the election due to many reasons, including the failure to form a pre-election alliance with the People First Party. This article does not aim to make a post-election analysis, as numerous domestic and international authors have already done so. This author wishes to bring one observation to the readers' attention. Former President Ma Ying-jeou maintained a low profile during this election, yet, from preliminary opinion polls, primary party operations, various commentaries, media coverage, and public opinion polls, somehow Ma Ying-jeou and his achievements had entered the media's discussions. This author, upon observing this, believes that this phenomenon is worth discussing. This phenomenon may have substantive implications for Taiwan's future and cross-strait relations and how senior political figures not in administration may serve an important cause.
Looking at Tsai Ing-wen's performance since taking office, there are no significant achievements but rather evident failures, particularly in corruption, personnel management, diplomacy, arms procurement, vaccine acquisition, and crisis handling. The DPP has been criticized for its incompetence and pursuit of personal gains. Tsai's political stance of resisting China's gestures, promoting de-Chinese (Taiwanization), and seeking colonial protection from the U.S. may have made some superficial gains, but it comes with significant drawbacks. Firstly, in its efforts to confiscate the KMT's party assets (reducing the century-old KMT party to financial straits), the DPP has alienated many just and principled people, including women and military and civil servant groups.
Retreat to Taiwan after losing the civil war, the KMT did not practice the one-person-one-vote democracy, instead under its one-party rule, it adhered to Sun Yat-sen's doctrine, Three Principles of the People, advancing Taiwan to the status of the Four Asian Tigers. Before the DPP's de-Chinese efforts, Taiwan's education system was quite successful, emphasizing compulsory civic education, academic and cultural values, and moral virtues. The education of children and young people over several generations has laid the foundation for Taiwan's achievements in academia, industry, and technology, as well as fostering a society with a kind demeanor and refined cultural values.
The above education system affected the generation of Ma Ying-jeou and beyond, in addition to the above-mentioned characteristics, Ma possessed a handsome appearance and a strong physique acquired by a commitment to physical fitness through running. After studying in the U.S., Ma decided to return to Taiwan for public service. Starting as the English secretary to President Chiang Ching-kuo, he gradually moved into politics, winning elections, becoming the mayor of Taipei, and eventually serving as the President of the Republic of China. Ma Ying-jeou earned a reputation for honesty and integrity, leaving a positive impression in the hearts of the Taiwanese people.
The DPP's pursuit of political power, in principle, is understandable, but its actions, from former president Chen Shui-bian's shameless corruption to the continuation of corrupt practices under Tsai Ing-wen, have completely eroded the party's founding principles of pursuing democracy. The DPP government's control of media, support of online (internet) armies, and interference of the judiciary system make it inevitable for the Taiwanese people to recall Ma Ying-jeou and his administration. Setting aside ideological differences (regarding unification and China's official name and sovereignty) and just focusing solely on achievements, the people of Taiwan of course recognize the importance of the economy and the benefits of trade relations with the mainland.
Ma Ying-jeou successfully negotiated the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with the mainland, resulting in a significant annual trade surplus for Taiwan. He also achieved the "Three Links," facilitating cross-strait exchanges in communication and transportation. More importantly, Ma had productive meetings with Xi Jinping, in contrast, the DPP has no caliber of personnel, sincerity, and skills to engage in meaningful dialogue with high-level mainland officials. Hence, The DPP administration has had repeated diplomatic setbacks and loss of diplomatic recognition. These discerning observations are evident to many people in Taiwan, including learned intellectuals and inclined students.
Therefore, when the media mentions Ma Ying-jeou, older generations naturally reminisce about the past, comparing it to the present. Younger people, being valued or pursued in elections, naturally develop a comparative understanding. The decline in the DPP's hardcore support to 28% is therefore not difficult to comprehend in light of these considerations.
The situation in Taiwan has been influenced by the DPP's approach of blindly embracing the U.S. policy of anti-China stance, creating a tense atmosphere and potentially leading Taiwan towards a war, akin to the crisis faced by Ukraine. This is primarily driven by a few politicians with connections to foreign forces, particularly the U.S. and Japan. They are determined to maintain their hold on power, disregarding the future destiny of Taiwan for generations to come.
The way the DPP handled incidents like the killing of mainland fishermen off Kinmen Island is pushing Taiwan to war. This highlights the need for Taiwanese people to unite to safeguard people's welfare and future. The author notes the above observation and must emphasize that Ma is not only younger than Biden and Trump but also healthier in physical condition. Ma may be the only political figure in Taiwan capable of engaging in a meaningful dialogue with high-level officials from mainland China in a civil capacity encouraged by the people.
When Ma Ying-jeou suggests that Taiwan should trust the mainland, it is indeed a wise statement. Both sides are descendants of the Chinese civilization, and achieving peaceful coexistence requires sincerity and trust. The people in Taiwan should recognize Ma as an asset not to be wasted. They should urge and support Ma Ying-jeou, by any democratic means, to act on their behalf and to devote his time and energy to seek cross-strait peace which will benefit future generations. This author believes that in a mature and good democracy, the people should encourage senior political figures to serve the nation in a civil capacity.
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