MEDIA REACTION: CROSS-STRAIT LINKS

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 001741 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - NIDA EMMONS DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: CROSS-STRAIT LINKS Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused December 16 news coverage on the formal launch of the three links -- namely, air, sea and postal services -- between Taiwan and China Monday; on the prosecutors' decision to appeal former President Chen Shui-bian's release without bail; and on the slowdown in local economy. In terms of editorials and commentaries, an editorial in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" hailed the launch of cross-Strait links but urged the Ma Ying-jeou administration not to forget to safeguard Taiwan's sovereignty. An editorial in the conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post" also chimed in by saying the launch of three links represented the beginning of the normalization of cross-Strait relations, which will save significant costs while generating new business across the Taiwan Strait. An editorial in the pro-independence, English-language "Taiwan News," by contrast, cast doubts on the effect of the "big three links" to Taiwan's economy. The article criticized the Ma Ying-jeou administration for failing to tell the general public the possible risks that the three links will bring to Taiwan. End summary. A) "Three Links Are Wonderful, but [Taiwan] Must Safeguard and Secure Its Sovereignty" The mass-circulation "Apple Daily" [circulation: 520,000] editorialized (12/16): "Amid the sound of sirens sung from the cargo ships, the three links [across the Taiwan Strait] have turned a new page in the history. No matter whether such a development bodes well or ill, Taiwan cannot deny that this is an historical moment. Judging from the viewpoint that the earth is flat, direct transportation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is an inevitable trend; there is no way Taiwan can isolate itself from its powerful neighbor, China. Like it or not, working with China will be one of the major ways to [push for] Taiwan's long-term development. Judging from the perspective of culture and geopolitics, there is also no need for Taiwan to block all kinds of connection with China. ... "However, when it comes to cross-Strait reconciliation, Taiwan must stick to and safeguard its sovereignty and democracy. Without sovereignty, [Taiwan] will be like a court eunuch, and it will remain so forever. President Ma Ying-jeou has made contributions to peace and development in the Taiwan Strait, but he must not follow the steps of those historical figures who gave up the sovereignty of their countries." B) "Normal Direct Links Begin" The conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post" [circulation: 30,000] editorialized (12/16): "Sixteen passenger flights yesterday took off from the mainland and Taiwan on the first day of direct links, normalizing cross-strait air transport for the first time since 1949, when both had vowed to conquer the other. The direct links are the beginning of a long process of normalization of relations. The direct services will save costs and generate new business as both Taiwan and the mainland feel the pinch of the global economic slowdown. "Nine mainland airlines and five Taiwan operators will run a total of 101 flights during the first week of the new arrangements. The new links mean tension between the two sides is finally eased, marking the beginning of more frequent civil and business exchanges as traveling time will be cut and the cost of transportation lowered. ..." C) "Links No Panacea for Taiwan Economy" The pro-independence, English-language "Taiwan News" [circulation: 20,000] editorialized (12/16): "Taiwan's economic relations with the authoritarian People's Republic of China entered a new era yesterday with the initiation of regular cross-strait direct air and marine links even though four agreements signed between quasi-official agencies of both sides have yet to be approved by the Legislative Yuan. ... Leaving aside Ma's pollyannish claim that direct links will end cross-strait antagonism, yesterday's celebrations left out any mention of economic risks, social costs or negative political side-effects, even though every economist or accountant realizes that any balance sheet that lists only benefits without mentioning costs is incomplete and misleading if not deliberately deceptive. ... "Deeper integration between Taiwan and China is thus likely to exacerbate polarization in Taiwan between large enterprises and a minority of professional strata able to take advantage of the new opportunities and small enterprises, the bulk of the working and farming population and locales in central and southern Taiwan face even more severe marginalization. Instead of blindly touting the theoretical benefits of cross-strait integration, the Ma government should muster the courage to ensure in future talks that Taiwan is directly linked with the world and not simply with the PRC market as well as realize the only reliable strategic engine for Taiwan's economic development, especially in an era of external recession and likely turbulence in Chinese society, should be Taiwan's internal industrial and social upgrading." YOUNG