DPP candidate's 'peace plan' panned

Lai Ching-te, Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party candidate for the island leader election, attempted to show loyalty to the United States and win voters instead of preserving peace across the Taiwan Strait as he claimed, according to various organizations promoting reunification on both sides of the Strait.

They expressed concerns over a recent article written by Lai, Taiwan's deputy leader, about his so-called plan for "preserving peace "in the Taiwan Strait published in a Wall Street Journal op-ed last week.

Lai proposed four main "pillars "of peace in the article: enhance deterrence; strengthen economic security; deepen democratic partnerships; and maintain steady and principled cross-Strait leadership.

Taisheng, a publication of the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, said in a comment online on Sunday that Lai's four "pillars" of peace are confusing and he fundamentally aims to sell out Taiwan to seek favor from the U.S., which compatriots from both sides of the Strait should be wary of.

Explaining how Lai would sell out Taiwan and sacrifice the interests of Taiwan compatriots, it said the first pillar of "enhancing deterrence "involves increasing the "defense "budget and purchasing more military equipment from the U.S., essentially turning Taiwan into a military vassal of the West.

The second pillar aims to diversify trade and supply chains, aligning with the Western narrative of decoupling from the Chinese mainland, which will harm the semiconductor industry and adversely affect the Taiwan economy, according to the comment.

The third pillar focuses on establishing stronger partnerships with so-called democracies, resembling its previous "checkbook diplomacy", it said.

The fourth pillar, which aims to defend the current cross-Strait situation but twists the concept of the status quo as precondition-free dialogue between the two sides, is unrealistic and does not address the current stalemate in cross-Strait relations, it added.

The Alliances for China's Peaceful Reunification in the U.S. said in a statement that Lai's plan is a clear provocation for "Taiwan independence" and an attempt to internationalize the Taiwan question.

The organization criticized Lai for packaging "Taiwan independence "under the label of a so-called peace plan, calling it a "deceitful tactic".

They urged the international community not to send any erroneous signals to "Taiwan independence" and to work together to maintain stability in the Taiwan Strait and global peace.

Taiwan's pro-reunification Labor Party said in a recent statement that Lai's article showed his eagerness to seek support from the U.S. and revealed his "Taiwan independence" stance.

In the article, Lai deliberately distorted the mainland's efforts to maintain territorial sovereignty and defend the principle that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to China, in order to cater to the U.S., the party said.

It said that Lai's article was just an attempt to deceive voters. It urged the island's society to see through his "Taiwan independence" stance and resist his efforts that undermine cross-Strait relations for personal political gain.

Yiu Chi-shing, chairman of the Hong Kong Association for Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, said that Lai is a troublemaker in the promotion of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Yiu criticized Lai for using false statements to cover up his pro-independence nature, creating illusions, misleading public opinion and appeasing the U.S.. He added that Lai's actions, which have betrayed national interests, and reliance on external forces are counter to historical trends.

The DPP authorities and Lai's "Taiwan independence" farce will never succeed, and any plot that hinders the complete reunification of China is bound to end in failure, he said.