This Fourth of July (II)
On this 4th of July, much TV coverages in Taiwan were about the first direct flights across the narrow Strait that lies between Taiwan and China in sixty years. The hostile stance taken by China against Taiwan all these years made it necessary to close that kind of direct flights. There are over 1,000 and increasing numbers of missiles aiming at cities and installations on the island state now and upgrading still. Travelling between the two countries needed to go to a third country or location first and then proceed to one’s destination. This measure was introduced about 20 years ago. Earlier, no visit was allowed the peoples by the KMT (”Nationalist Party of China” or, “Chinese Nationalist Party” now} which fled to Taiwan after defeated by the Chinese Communists in 1947) Government.
But having had to go to a third location first and change planes means longer travel time, expenses, and exhaustion. Especially on holidays like at the lunar or Chinese New Year, the great number of Taiwanese marchants who have their business establishments in China would plead for direct charter flights so they can come back home in shorter time. The DPP (The Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan) Government which replaced the KMT Government 8 years ago allowed charter flights called “the three small direct-flights” but still had to stop-over at a third location (e.g., Hongkong) first for security reason.
This year in May, the DPP Government is replaced by the KMT’s Ma Ying-Chou Government. During the election campaigns, Mr. Ma calls himself a “New Taiwanese” and promissed to put Taiwan’s interests at his top priorities. He was elected in March having 57% votes (it is said that 2/3 were women votes who admire his beautiful legs showing on his daily jogging). After his victory, he set this 4th of July as target date for the direct flight across the Strait, no stop-over at a third location and somewhat circumvented paths. His negotiators opened 8 airports on Taiwan for such flights, while China allowed only 4 in that vast country! Mr. Ma said that such direct flights, though still chartered flights, will bring 3000 Chinese tourists daily to Taiwan and thus boost Taiwan’s economy! (The first flight from Quangchou, China was truly a “circumvented” one, as it took almost a straight path from the other shore in order to beat others in reaching Taipei). But the 8 airports opened to China are on every corners of this island country, and would greatly compromise Taiwan’s security! Ironically, on the same day, 4th of July, Chinese Army onducted a similation military venture utilizing commercial flights to carry their commandoes to liberate Taiwan!
Fourth of July is the Indipendant Day of the USA. Yet, in Taiwan, sacrifising the national integrity, the new President opened her gates to the hostile enemy without reservation! Mr. Ma insists emphatically that the name of the Country is not Taiwan, but, the Republic of China! His government’s policy is a gradual (but, rapid!) bend toward (re)unification with China.
After 60 days in office, for various reasons, Mr. Ma’s popularity dropped from earlier 72% to less than a half of 35% at the latest survey. His daily 3000 visitors from China did not show up. On yesterday, it was reported that about 300 visitors came over. while the week’s total was less than 1000 persons. Store keepers are very much disappointed as the visitors from across the Strait do not buy much but bargain hard. Tourists from other countries, especially from Japan, dwendled.
To me, this Fourth of July was a sad day. While Mr.Ma insists that the Open Strait Policy is his great achivement that will contribute to peace of the Southeast corner of the World, but, it is at the expenses of the island country Taiwan! Mr. Ma was born in the former British colony of Koulung, and so, named Ying(English) - Chou(nine of Koulung - Nine dragons). Normally a foreign-born cannot be elected as head of a state for reason of loyalty question. Previously I said that numeral 9 is believed as a dog gone bad omen. Will that numeral in Mr. Ma’s name be a bad omen for Taiwan?