A day after President Lai Ching-te gave his National Day address to the nation, reactions and close readings are still coming in. Lai’s political opponents swiftly used the occasion to comment on the president’s actions and policies.
HUANG KUO-CHANG, CHAIR TAIWAN PEOPLE’S PARTY:
"No executive in a constitutional democracy can enjoy the one-sided veto power of [President Lai] and [Premier Cho]. I hope President Lai will think twice and quickly announce the laws the legislature has passed as legally required."
CHENG LI-WUN, CHAIR KUOMINTANG:
"A president from the [DDP’s New Tide faction] puts us in danger of war and makes cross-strait ties tense. A New Tide president doesn’t just endanger Taiwan but hollows out Taiwan’s democracy."
But Lai’s speech itself—and what it did and didn’t include—has been picked over by analysts looking to see what kind of president he might be in the second half of his term.
CHU CHAO-HSIANG, CHINESE CULTURE UNIVERSITY:
"There was indeed a drop in direct references to China. He used a more tactful approach while still expressing himself. For instance, he mentioned Chinese authoritarianism without saying the word ‘China.’"
CHEN SHIH-MIN, NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY:
"During his first term, President Lai probably doesn’t want to touch on cross-strait issues that are too sensitive. Simply put, on cross-strait ties, there’s nothing unexpected or provoking."
Analysts like these see Lai’s focus to be on domestic issues and economic success — suggesting possible themes he might use in the upcoming reelection campaign.
Devin Tsai and John Van Trieste for TaiwanPlus.
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