LY SPEAKER WANG JIN-PYNG ON KMT POLITICS AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 001432

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL TW
SUBJECT: LY SPEAKER WANG JIN-PYNG ON KMT POLITICS AND
CROSS-STRAIT

REF: TAIWAN 1413

Classified By: The Director for reasons: 1.4 (b/d)


1. (C) Summary: In addition to low approval numbers in
national polls, President Ma Ying-jeou suffers from a poor
image within the KMT, Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng
told the Director during an October 2 meeting. Despite his
concerns about Ma's management style, Wang, a KMT power
center in his own right, understands the need to work with
the President for the good of the KMT and Taiwan. Wang
expects to meet with ARATS head Chen Yunlin when the latter
visits the island this fall. End Summary.

Long Live Chairman Ma? Wang Thinks Not
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2. (C) Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng shared his
insights on the Ma administration and KMT leaders during an
October 2 meeting with the Director. Many in the KMT would
oppose President Ma becoming chairman, he suggested,
questioning how someone who could not lead Taiwan could lead
the party. At an operational level, it would be too risky to
have Ma's low poll ratings, currently at 24.9% (see reftel),
affect the KMT's chances during next year's county-level
elections. When asked whether Ma could become chairman if
his poll ratings rose, Wang chuckled and said Ma's numbers
would have to return to the 50-60 percent approval range.
Wang noted the disdain for Ma among KMT staffers and quipped
Ma was "selfish" and did not take care of them.


3. (C) Wang also ruled out Taoyuan County Magistrate Eric Chu
as the next KMT chairman. Even though Chu, whom Wang says Ma
is grooming for the presidency in 2016, was born in Taiwan,
he is considered a mainlander given his father's roots in
China. Having Chu as the chair would scare off the native
Taiwan elements within the party. Wang also deemed Chu too
young and inexperienced. Wang suggested instead former
Premier Lien as a viable option and maintained Lien would not
be too old for the position. When asked how the KMT was
dealing with its aging leadership amidst the visibility of
young DPP talents like Chair Tsai Ing-wen, Wang did not
acknowledge a problem and pointed to the existence of
relatively youthful KMT county magistrates.

Will Work With Ma to Get Taiwan Out Of Its Rough Patch
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4. (C) Despite the LY Speaker's well-known rivalry with
President Ma, Wang told us he would support Ma to help regain
people's faith in the KMT. For example, the LY was ready to
approve policies to revive the economy. It would be
everyone's job to educate the public and help them understand
the new policies. More broadly, Wang remarked that President
Ma appears to be building his ties to the KMT by increasing
contacts with the party. Wang noted that the channel of
weekly meetings between the administration (Ma, Vice
President Siew and Premier Liu) and the KMT leadership (Wang
himself and Chairman Wu) remains active and offers an
opportunity for the free-wheeling exchange of views.


5. (C) Similarly, Wang said that while KMT Chairman Wu
Po-hsiung's relationship with Ma remains strained, Wu is not
inclined to block the administration's policies and
initiatives. Vice President Vincent Siew, who was
disappointed at being sidelined immediately after the
election, is also now being given a more prominent role in
the economic policy process. Wang noted, however, that the
newly-formed economic task force under Siew is primarily an
advisory body that has no authority of its own.

Cross-Strait: Talk and Arms Both Important
--------------


6. (C) Even though the economic benefits of expanded contacts
with the mainland had yet to be fully realized, Wang favored
faster movement on all aspects of cross-Strait ties. He
attributed the low numbers of Chinese tourists to Beijing's
desire to control the flow, in part because Ma had forced

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Beijing's hand by announcing the start date of charter
flights without consultations. Although the DPP and others
would protest ARATS head Chen Yunlin's trip, it was important
to move ahead with the visit. Chen had expressed interest in
meeting with him during the visit, and Wang would be ready to
receive him. At the same time, Wang argued, it was important
for Taiwan to maintain its defensive capabilities. In this
context, he asked about the status of a package of weapons
now pending with the administration. The Director replied
that the review process was continuing.

What About CSB?
--------------


7. (C) When asked about former President Chen Shui-bian's
current situation and efforts to rally supporters throughout
the island, Wang said Chen's actions made sense. Chen is
trying to prove that he still has supporters and probably is
counting on them to protest should he be detained. Chen
wanted to meet with Wang recently, but Wang was unable to do
so because a search of Chen's residence occurred the same day.

Comment
--------------


8. (C) The ambitious Wang has long resented Ma Ying-jeou's
popularity and success at his expense. He was beaten out of
the KMT chairmanship by Ma and saw his presidential
aspiration thwarted as well. That said, Wang recognizes that
Ma's current problems threaten to engulf both of them if not
remedied quickly. Hence, his grudging willingness to use his
considerable influence in the LY and party to shore up the Ma
administration.
YOUNG