Taiwanese, or Chinese?
Regrettably, however, while Lee Teng-hui was implementing "indigenization," putting "Taiwan first," and energetically promoting Taiwan as a sovereign state on the international stage, relations across the Taiwan Strait became increasingly estranged and suspicion-ridden. In recent years, the policy of "no haste, be patient" regarding Taiwan's economic involvement in the mainland, and the description of political contacts as "state-to-state" relations, have embroiled Taiwan in constant wars of words with Beijing, and cast a shadow over regional peace. In other words, the results of Lee Teng-hui's "excision of China"-presented as "indigeniza-tion"-has on the one hand resulted in the people of Taiwan acquiring self-confidence and dignity, but on the other has also led to the contentious issue of reunification versus independence being constantly raised, the sense of national identity of the general public in Taiwan becoming very confused, and cross-strait tensions reaching an all-time high. So much so that the Taipei stock market plummeted by over 400 points in less than an hour just because near the beginning of his inaugural address President Chen said: "Taiwan stands up, representing the. . . dignity of the country." Newspapers also made much of the fact that in his address, Chen mentioned "the Republic of China" only five times, but "Taiwan" 43 times.
With the process of indigenization having already progressed so far, why would mentioning Taiwan a few times provoke such panic? This is precisely the point where the "Taiwan first" concept breaks down. Relations with the mainland at the highest political level have reached impasse after impasse, and dark war clouds gather over the Taiwan Strait; yet at the grassroots level, what with trade links, fishing links and intermarriage, the people are inseparably intermingled, and the same is true on the academic, cultural and religious fronts and even in the entertainment and travel industries. Ideologically, Taiwan rejects and resists mainland China, but in real life there is constant contact. This contradictory dislocation also leaves ordinary people at a loss.
Taiwanese, or Chinese?
Regrettably, however, while Lee Teng-hui was implementing "indigenization," putting "Taiwan first," and energetically promoting Taiwan as a sovereign state on the international stage, relations across the Taiwan Strait became increasingly estranged and suspicion-ridden. In recent years, the policy of "no haste, be patient" regarding Taiwan's economic involvement in the mainland, and the description of political contacts as "state-to-state" relations, have embroiled Taiwan in constant wars of words with Beijing, and cast a shadow over regional peace. In other words, the results of Lee Teng-hui's "excision of China"-presented as "indigeniza-tion"-has on the one hand resulted in the people of Taiwan acquiring self-confidence and dignity, but on the other has also led to the contentious issue of reunification versus independence being constantly raised, the sense of national identity of the general public in Taiwan becoming very confused, and cross-strait tensions reaching an all-time high. So much so that the Taipei stock market plummeted by over 400 points in less than an hour just because near the beginning of his inaugural address President Chen said: "Taiwan stands up, representing the. . . dignity of the country." Newspapers also made much of the fact that in his address, Chen mentioned "the Republic of China" only five times, but "Taiwan" 43 times.
With the process of indigenization having already progressed so far, why would mentioning Taiwan a few times provoke such panic? This is precisely the point where the "Taiwan first" concept breaks down. Relations with the mainland at the highest political level have reached impasse after impasse, and dark war clouds gather over the Taiwan Strait; yet at the grassroots level, what with trade links, fishing links and intermarriage, the people are inseparably intermingled, and the same is true on the academic, cultural and religious fronts and even in the entertainment and travel industries. Ideologically, Taiwan rejects and resists mainland China, but in real life there is constant contact. This contradictory dislocation also leaves ordinary people at a loss.
Into the "post-Lee era"
To return to domestic politics, in the open atmosphere of democratization and indigenization under Lee, Taiwan has become increasingly pluralistic and international in outlook. In particular, there have been salient achievements in the pluralization of education. The joint college entrance exam system, which has dominated educational thinking for nearly half a century, is about to be abolished, and other topics such as women's rights, children's issues, workers' rights and environmental protection have all come to the fore as campaign issues at one time or another. The liberation of the diverse forces within Taiwanese society since the lifting of martial law has been a revelation, and many people have hoped this would lay the foundations of a flourishing civil society and allow autonomous civic campaign groups to become a third force in addition to government and business. Sadly, however, the vitality of these various campaigns was short-lived, so that despite its pluralism and openness, Taiwan lacks voices of introspection and balance.
Lee Teng-hui's domineering leadership style, in which he made no bones about his likes and dislikes, was also a topic much discussed while he was in office. After many years of factional disputes and party purges within the Kuomintang, the party is riven by long-standing internal divisions, and the fratricidal struggle between Lien Chan and James Soong was the direct cause of its defeat in the latest presidential election. In its efforts to revive itself after this crushing reversal, the hundred-year old party has only now discovered that there is no shortage of hypocritical sycophants within its ranks, but precious few worthy and able people of good repute. The flight of specialist talent, and a failure to take a clear moral stance, have been seen as some of the most serious failings of Lee Teng-hui's governance.
Looking back overall, what is paradoxical is that Lee's greatest contributions to Taiwan are also the areas which have attracted the harshest criticism. Inspired by his great love of Taiwan, he stood alone against the power of the conservative factions which opposed him, swept away various entrenched practices, and brought Taiwan into a new world which one would not have dared to imagine 12 years ago. Nevertheless, although the shackles of the old era are gone, Taiwan in the new era is still beset with difficulties, and on coming to office the new government will immediately have to grapple with many difficult issues, including the constitutional system, cross-strait relations, rampant criminality and corruption in politics and government, a burgeoning budget deficit, the state of the economy, and social welfare programs. Which parts of the "Lee Teng-hui line" will be continued in the future? Which need to be adjusted or even reversed? We look to the new government to make wise choices.
Into the "post-Lee era"
To return to domestic politics, in the open atmosphere of democratization and indigenization under Lee, Taiwan has become increasingly pluralistic and international in outlook. In particular, there have been salient achievements in the pluralization of education. The joint college entrance exam system, which has dominated educational thinking for nearly half a century, is about to be abolished, and other topics such as women's rights, children's issues, workers' rights and environmental protection have all come to the fore as campaign issues at one time or another. The liberation of the diverse forces within Taiwanese society since the lifting of martial law has been a revelation, and many people have hoped this would lay the foundations of a flourishing civil society and allow autonomous civic campaign groups to become a third force in addition to government and business. Sadly, however, the vitality of these various campaigns was short-lived, so that despite its pluralism and openness, Taiwan lacks voices of introspection and balance.
Lee Teng-hui's domineering leadership style, in which he made no bones about his likes and dislikes, was also a topic much discussed while he was in office. After many years of factional disputes and party purges within the Kuomintang, the party is riven by long-standing internal divisions, and the fratricidal struggle between Lien Chan and James Soong was the direct cause of its defeat in the latest presidential election. In its efforts to revive itself after this crushing reversal, the hundred-year old party has only now discovered that there is no shortage of hypocritical sycophants within its ranks, but precious few worthy and able people of good repute. The flight of specialist talent, and a failure to take a clear moral stance, have been seen as some of the most serious failings of Lee Teng-hui's governance.
Looking back overall, what is paradoxical is that Lee's greatest contributions to Taiwan are also the areas which have attracted the harshest criticism. Inspired by his great love of Taiwan, he stood alone against the power of the conservative factions which opposed him, swept away various entrenched practices, and brought Taiwan into a new world which one would not have dared to imagine 12 years ago. Nevertheless, although the shackles of the old era are gone, Taiwan in the new era is still beset with difficulties, and on coming to office the new government will immediately have to grapple with many difficult issues, including the constitutional system, cross-strait relations, rampant criminality and corruption in politics and government, a burgeoning budget deficit, the state of the economy, and social welfare programs. Which parts of the "Lee Teng-hui line" will be continued in the future? Which need to be adjusted or even reversed? We look to the new government to make wise choices.