Letters | To win back Taiwan, KMT must return to its anti-communist roots
After the recall vote went against him, Han, instead of reflecting on his actions, blamed the Democratic Progressive Party for expending a great deal of effort on removing him from office, rather than working for the welfare of the people.
However, pointing fingers is not a wise course of action for the Kuomintang and its members. Han himself and his party must bear much of the blame for his defeat.
First, Han should have committed to serving the public as a mayor. He had been elected mayor because the DPP leadership had disappointed the people. Instead, he failed to keep his unworkable promises, such as drilling for oil on Taiping Island, met Beijing’s top official in Hong Kong and focused on his run for president instead of his mayoral duties.
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Tsai Ing-wen inaugurated for second term as Taiwan’s president
The party’s ambiguous position on Beijing also hurt Han. Unlike in the Chiang Kai-shek era, the party abandoned its firm anti-communist policy in favour of a one-China policy.
KMT lost its edge by taking the wrong position on Beijing and putting its faith in the wrong people. The party should take two steps to improve the situation.
Three lessons for Beijing from Han Kuo-yu’s downfall in Taiwan
First, it should return to its anti-communist stance. The DPP has gained strong support mainly due to its clear anti-communist ideology, addressing the Taiwanese public’s desire to secure the island against threats from Beijing.
The KMT should expel its pro-Beijing members and promise to defend Taiwan against Beijing.
Second, KMT politicians should focus on serving the people. KMT members must be humble and responsible – no one wants leaders who can't keep their promises or complete their term of office. They must also be capable of self-reflection and take responsibility for their electoral failure.
Henry Wong, Kennedy Town
