Analysis: What Could Come out of a Planned KMT-CCP Exchange
TaiwanPlus speaks with Ja Ian Chong of the National University of Singapore about why Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang plans to send a delegation to China, framed as a think tank exchange, and what both sides could gain from engagement.
KMT-CCP Exchange
REPORTER:
For more on the upcoming exchange between the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party, our reporter Lery Hiciano spoke to Professor Ja Ian Chong from the National University of Singapore.
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REPORTER
What is the KMT looking to achieve, and is China looking to achieve anything as well?
Ja Ian Chong, PROFESSOR, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
The KMT would want to demonstrate that they can bring deliverables for people in Taiwan.
This may range from having local kinds of arrangements, that skirt around the central government. This may involve certain kinds of concessions, for certain industries. This may perhaps get some sort of CCP willingness to perhaps ease some of the pressure from Taiwan, although I think the latter is probably less likely.
And also we don't we're not really clear what sort of tangible benefit those might be, whether it's meaningful, in any way. So I guess the point is that the CCP might want to signal that if you work with us, if you accept CCP terms, then, benefits will come your way.
That's what it's done with tycoons in Hong Kong, for instance, in the past.
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REPORTER
We know that the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party are planning some sort of exchange right now. It's looking like a think tank exchange. Why specifically do you think this has become such a controversy domestically in Taiwan?
Ja Ian Chong, PROFESSOR, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
The KMT has been trying to make contact with the CCP for the longest time. They believe that their connections with the CCP is the way forward for Taiwan. Many people in Taiwan disagree with that. They also believe that the CCP in its as it works with the KMT, seeks to undermine Taiwan's political system. And certainly the controversy surrounding the KMT blocking of the budget, including the defense budget, seems to suggest to many people that the KMT is bending over backwards to help sort of forward the CCP's aims.
Of course, there are supporters who say that working with the CCP is the only way to perhaps guarantee some sort of safety for Taiwan.
So it's unclear what the CCP can first promise and keep to. So because with a lot of CCP promises, there's no commitment they can give and deliver.
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REPORTER
What do you think this exchange could mean moving forward? We know that there's political deadlock right now in the legislature, and we know that this is only a few months into Cheng's term as head of the KMT.
Ja Ian Chong, PROFESSOR, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
I think for Cheng, if she's able to demonstrate that she's able to bring tangible benefits to Taiwan and people on Taiwan because of these contacts with the CCP, that would potentially boost their standing to the degree that she's unable to do.
There is currently some dissatisfaction with the KMT. If we look at the polls, given what is seen as their obstructionism in the legislature. So the KMT would probably be eager to try to reverse that. And the CCP, to the extent that they believe that the KMT is a partner that they can work with in Taiwan, will want to help with the KMT chances.
