This year, as the direct and democratic election of the Taiwanese regional leadership drew near, I was interested for two reasons. Firstly, I wanted to get a real picture of the Taiwanese popular election and its political manifestations. Secondly, I felt that the direction of Taiwan's future depended on which party leader was elected president.  Therefore, on the day of March 22, 2008 I paid very close attention to news stories concerning Taiwan's presidential election. On some websites there were play-by-play updates and pictures depicting the Taiwanese voters at the polls. On portal websites and main media outlets, however, the content and analysis concerning the election were markedly dull. Reports on the election had been watered down, even trivialized.

 

     

    The lack of detailed coverage by Mainland media is fundamentally shortsighted.  Taiwan is a part of China and this major political event, the popular election for president, is also one of China's major political events.  If we are to devote ourselves to the reunification of Taiwan with the mainland, we cannot focus on one more than the other.  Instead, Mainland Chinese should be able to witness Taiwan's popular election for president on television.  Not only will Mainlanders be better able to understand Taiwan's particular political system, but in the process, they will also have a greater understanding of the political lives of their compatriots.  Moreover, Taiwan is a region of China.  Regardless of when the Mainland is able to carry out direct, popular elections of leaders at the village, county, municipal and provincial levels, the Taiwanese experience can be used as a source of reference.  After all, the election in Taiwan is a direct democratic election in a region of China that has more than 20 million people.

 

     

    The Taiwanese presidential election is over. With the KMT in power, how will new political developments take shape in Taiwan? What will the future hold for cross-straight relations? These are questions to be dwelled on by experts.  But what can Mainland China learn from Taiwan's presidential election?      

 

    The media reported that "the election of Taiwan regional leadership was peaceful and orderly." This means that direct democratic and popular election of government leadership has already taken place in Taiwan, a region with a population of more than twenty million. This is a resounding slap in the face for those who say "China is ill suited for direct democratic elections," and that "China does not have the proper conditions for direct democratic elections."  Of course, what works in one region cannot be applied universally to all parts of China. However, what we have is a case of successful Chinese direct democratic elections.  In this context, the continual promulgation of the idea that "direct democratic elections are unsuitable for China" not only belittles China, but also implies that Taiwan is not a part of China.  As of now, when Mainland China will start allowing the direct election of township leaders is not the point.  What is presently important is that Chinese leaders admit that Taiwan, as a part of China, is a successful case of direct elections and that other regions in China may have similar conditions of suitability for this kind of democracy.

     

    The media also reported: "KMT candidates Ma Ying-Jeou and Vincent Siew won by 2.21 million votes."Eight years ago, the KMT lost the presidency and its position of political dominance.  Now, eight years later they have regained it. This tells us that in a multi-party system, just because one political party is defeated does not mean that they will be forever out of power.  Likewise, just because one political party wins the election, this does not mean that permanent power has been obtained.

     

    Thus, it is clear that in the practice of a multi-party system, any given party is subject to winning or losing an election. Success or failure is in the hands of the people and depends on the ability of the party to gain support from the populace.  Those who oversimplify the multi-party system, calling it a mere "rotation of taking power" effectually write-off the core importance of winning the hearts and minds of the people by gaining their trust and support. In a multi-party system the victory of a party comes not because of compromises between the parties, but because of popular choice.

     

    This year in Taiwan's regional election the KMT party was victorious. Their victory is an embodiment of a variety of efforts to win back the people over the past eight years. It shows that the KMT candidate endured and survived many tests of the people's trust.  It reflects the people's desire to wholeheartedly support the KMT and it ensures the legitimacy of the party.  Therefore, the practice of popular, direct election of leadership not only shows the utmost respect for the political will of the people, but also secures the legitimacy of the political party in power.  Only when the wishes of the people are honored can a candidate galvanize the support necessary to emerge victorious from an election. 

 

To read the article in Chinese, click here.