China's Dirty Tricks in Taiwan
On March 20, Taiwanese people will decide whether to continue the love-hate relationship with China and re-elect President Chen Shui-bian or reenact the return of the prodigal son and elect China's lapdog, KMT's candidate, Lien Chan.
China has always considered Taiwan as a rogue province. China and the China friendly Taiwanese opposition have pulled all dirty tricks in the book to sway the election in their favour. China has been accused for sponsoring KMT activities and intimidating the island by holding navy drills with France in the wake of the election. The KMT's election campaign included ads that compare President Chen Shui-bian to Hitler and accuse the current President of disrespect to human rights (as if China is really big on human rights!). Well, the ads were pulled out and the opposition apologized but the calculated move left the images of Chen as Hitler embedded in the minds of ordinary Taiwanese people.
Originally, the plans for March 20 were more ambitious - Taiwan's official name, flag, and territory status were the main topics in the election campaign. But a few weeks before the election, President Chen's speeches contained nuances of "continuing with the status quo" and "keeping the name "Province of China". The only referendum to be held on the 20th is whether to increase military spending to address the growing military threat from China.
Experts predict the election results to be very close. In the deemed unlikely win of the opposition, the independent status of the country could be threatened. With Hong Kong and Taiwan back within its borders, the economic and political might of the world's most populous nation would increase. This would make global efforts to stop China's gross human rights violations even more futile.
Read BBC articles:
China drill before Taiwan poll
Taiwan opposition pulls Hitler ad
Military balance goes against Taiwan
China 'trying to sway' Taiwan vote
Taiwan referendum bill sets stage
Taiwanese flood home for key poll
China's last blast on Taiwan poll
On March 20, Taiwanese people will decide whether to continue the love-hate relationship with China and re-elect President Chen Shui-bian or reenact the return of the prodigal son and elect China's lapdog, KMT's candidate, Lien Chan.
China has always considered Taiwan as a rogue province. China and the China friendly Taiwanese opposition have pulled all dirty tricks in the book to sway the election in their favour. China has been accused for sponsoring KMT activities and intimidating the island by holding navy drills with France in the wake of the election. The KMT's election campaign included ads that compare President Chen Shui-bian to Hitler and accuse the current President of disrespect to human rights (as if China is really big on human rights!). Well, the ads were pulled out and the opposition apologized but the calculated move left the images of Chen as Hitler embedded in the minds of ordinary Taiwanese people.
Originally, the plans for March 20 were more ambitious - Taiwan's official name, flag, and territory status were the main topics in the election campaign. But a few weeks before the election, President Chen's speeches contained nuances of "continuing with the status quo" and "keeping the name "Province of China". The only referendum to be held on the 20th is whether to increase military spending to address the growing military threat from China.
Experts predict the election results to be very close. In the deemed unlikely win of the opposition, the independent status of the country could be threatened. With Hong Kong and Taiwan back within its borders, the economic and political might of the world's most populous nation would increase. This would make global efforts to stop China's gross human rights violations even more futile.
Read BBC articles:
China drill before Taiwan poll
Taiwan opposition pulls Hitler ad
Military balance goes against Taiwan
China 'trying to sway' Taiwan vote
Taiwan referendum bill sets stage
Taiwanese flood home for key poll
China's last blast on Taiwan poll
posted by Evgenia @ 3/15/2004 01:51:00 PM
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