Taiwan Consensus: the pivot of the cross-strait relation◎HoonTing

Taiwan Consensus: the pivot of the cross-strait relation◎HoonTing

MYJ keeps accusing Tsai Ing-wen of providing no solid contents for her "Taiwan Consensus." Given that Kuomintang—literally the Chinese Nationalist Party—is peculiarly sensitive about the word " Taiwan ," Ma intentionally ignores the pivotal meaning of “Taiwan Consensus,” which signifies the vital and legal process of gathering the majority opinion. He unwisely implies that Tsai is irresponsible in the issue of cross-strait relations, only to reveal his ignorance on the operation of international negotiations.

Before sitting at the negotiation table, the government needs to make complicated preparations, such as collecting sufficient data, communicating with citizens thoroughly, drawing up detailed strategies, etc. No effective negotiation is possible without all the domestic legal and political procedures that serve to reach a general consensus. The efforts take time but will pay off.

It would be definitely irresponsible and disastrous if a government concludes agreements with foreign countries without a domestic consensus. Their people will certainly refuse to accept such secret agreements, making the government unable to perform the commitments stipulated in the agreements and in turn bringing about tremendous pressure from the foreign counterpart for the violation of treaties. The lack of a domestic consensus before the conclusion exposes an agreement to fraud, corruption, coercion or threat, making it invalid and raising disputes. Hasty, imprudent agreements do not survive implementation or transition of power.

Domestic consensus benefits both the countries involved.  A domestic consensus works as shield for its representative negotiators when the counterpart pushes them too far.  Paradoxically, the common consensus also assures the counterpart government that the agreements will be fulfilled regardless which political party stays in power, since the procedures abide by municipal laws and follow a process endorsed by the citizens.  Both the countries can hence rule out the scenario in which the administration that concludes the agreement loses power and the citizens deny the legitimacy of the agreement.

Unfortunately, MYJ seemed to conclude 16 agreements with Beijing during his term for a single purpose: the impressive number of his agreements with Beijing . He is not concerned about the cost or the long-term effects to Taiwan and the region. His ECFA is more than controversial.

It takes persistence and profession to form a domestic consensus and negotiate with foreign governments, and Tsai Ing-wen has proven her ability and will in this aspect. She participated in the 10-year-long WTO negotiations, assumed in 2008 the chairperson of DPP, revived the crumbling party, and now is challenging MYJ for presidency. If negotiation is the main theme between Taipei and Beijing in the future, who else is qualified to lead Taiwan ?   rewritten on 20120102

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Taiwan Consensus: the pivot of the cross-strait relation◎HoonTing