Opinion | Politics should take a back seat for the sake of Taiwanese still stranded in coronavirus-hit China
- The painful negotiations over the repatriation of Taiwanese reflect the suspicion and broken communication channels that have marred cross-strait relations since Tsai Ing-wen took office. There are lessons to be learned for both sides
What caused the month-long delay, and why are the remaining 500-plus Taiwanese still not home?
Coordination broke down as soon as the first 247 passengers disembarked for two reasons. First, in Taipei’s view, the passenger list did not match what it had agreed to – the list did not prioritise the most vulnerable (such as the elderly) as Taipei requested. Second, one passenger on that flight was later diagnosed with the coronavirus, which led to Taiwanese concerns about the mainland’s pre-take-off screenings.
This provoked a public outcry in Taiwan, and subsequent negotiations hit a snag on the choice of the airlines operating the charter flights (Taipei wanted China Airlines while Beijing insisted on China Eastern) and who the next passengers should be. With Taipei concerned that a rushed process may trigger a wave of infections on the island and the mainland refusing to budge, a long and painful stalemate followed.