Lien Chan, President of KMT, visits mainland China

Well, it has been a week since my last post about the tension between China and Japan. It is reported that Japan has apologized for its wartime criminals to the Chinese people. I think that is a good move, since both being big countries in East Asia, China and Japan both need time and room to develop, and this is good for the situation for Asia. But some 150 Japanese marched an anti-China protest this passed weekend. What should the Japanese government do to avoid another wave of chaos?

Big news for this week is Lien Chan, President of KMT of Taiwan, is visiting mainland China for the first time in 56 years. Lien will visit Nanjing, where Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s tomb is located, Xi’an, Lien’s birthplace, Shanghai, and Beijing.

Surely, this is a good thing. It helps to ease the tension between the Taiwan Strait after mainland China passed the Anti-Secession Law earlier this year. Personally, I think Beijing government is doing something to improve the relationship with Taiwan. I guess that Taiwan government and its people were so scared by the law which entitled the army to fight against the tiny island.

By saying “something good,” I mean Beijing government is trying to draw KMT to its sides. Moreover, James Soong, chairman of the People First Party (PFP) in Taiwan, also accepted an invitation from Hu Jintao last week and is expected to head a party delegation to tour the mainland from May 5 to 12. That means PFP is going to pro-Beijing, as well. Well, the two major opposite parties in Taiwan are welcomed by Beijing, and the President, Chen Shui-bian, has nothing but himself. Beijing has said that it also welcomes Chen, but only under the condition that he abandons the proposal of Taiwan independence. I don’t think Chen will accept that invitation since what he did in the past, is doing now and will do in the future is to make Taiwan win its independence.

Now you see how smart, or foxy if you want to say, Beijing government is. It sows dissension between you and your friends, making your friends off against you. One day you will find that you are with nobody on your side. I think this article from New York Times talks about this from this angle.

Actually, Taiwan people and media have different voice about Lien’s historical visit to mainland China. Some say that he is selling Taiwan, while the others agree that his visit is good thing.

Besides, just before Lien started his visit, Chen ordered Lien to report to him. Chen said that visiting mainland China, both military enemy and political rival, is not allowed, specially under the statues of the President of KMT. If Lien is going to do it, he needs permission from the President. The potential worst result of visiting mainland China without permission might be treason. This is an anecdote, or say rumor.

Whatever it take, it is always good to see China and Taiwan is moving forward in a peaceful way.