Giant pandas became the preferred option when the Communist Party of China, on behalf of the people on China’s mainland, considered sending a gift of goodwill to Taiwan during former Kuomintang Chairman Lien Chan’s 2005 cross-strait visit. But Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian said his authorities would rather not give the pandas permission to enter the island, citing political connotations attached to them. “Plenty of political motives are behind the giveaway of the pandas,” remarked Chen January 7.
After a six-month selection process shrouded in suspense, a pair of cuddly giant pandas were selected from a lineup of 11 January 6. While cute images of the superstar couple immediately bombarded TV screens on the mainland and in Taiwan, a high-profile national campaign to name the pandas, hosted by the national broadcaster CCTV, engaged over 50,000 TV viewers from across China within the first three days of its initiation. A recent survey in Taiwan that found more than 73 percent of Taiwan residents welcome the arrival of the pandas.
Politicizing pandas is the latest act by Chen condemning goodwill gestures from the mainland, including the tariff-free import of 15 varieties of Taiwan-grown fruit, which has been widely hailed by Taiwan farmers.
Chen, whose pro-independence actions have strained relations between Taiwan and the mainland since he took office in 2000, has seen his approval ratings drop to an all-time low of 21 percent prior to the crushing defeat of his party at last December’s local government election to opposite Kuomintang, which favors closer links with the mainland. Rather than learn a lesson from the setback, in his New Year’s speech Chen focused on a timetable to write a new “constitution” before his second term expires in 2008. Beijing insists the push for a pro-independence “constitution” through referendum is a provocative step toward permanently seceding the island from the rest of China that could result in the use of force.
In the same speech, Chen said that one priority for his authorities was to tighten control over mainland-bound investment by adopting a new “proactive management, effective liberalization’’ policy, which will involve introduction of fresh restrictions on cross-strait economic exchanges. Chen’s rhetoric immediately spooked the island’s stock market, which had its biggest decline in two months January 2. The index rose 2 percent the next day after Taiwan authorities said it wouldn’t change its economic policies toward the mainland or push for independence.
“Allowing pandas to come to Taiwan would help to foster peace and friendship across the Taiwan Strait. Pandas, with only black and white stripes, should not become a sacrifice of political fight between Blue [pro-reunification camp] and Green [pro-independence camp].”
Lien Chan Former Kuomintang Chairman
“We hope the couple can meet Taiwan compatriots as soon as possible and Taiwan authorities can follow wishes of the people on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, taking active attitude toward this issue.”
Dai Xiaofeng Exchange Bureau Chief of Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council
“We have noticed Chen Shui-bian’s New Year speech, but we have also noticed even more criticism of his speech among Taiwanese. Anyone who doesn’t pay attention to public opinion only hurts cross-strait relations.”
Li Weiyi Spokesman for Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, China’s cabinet
“While some Taiwan politicians intend to weaken cross-strait ties by maintaining capital in Taiwan, it doesn’t make any sense to business circles in locking capital in Taiwan while there are money-making opportunities elsewhere.”