China news agency, Taipei, January 15 (Reporter Lu Mei) With regard to the election of the Democratic Progressive Party candidate Lai Qingde in the 2024 leadership election in Taiwan, many scholars in Taiwan said that only 40% of the votes depended on, indicating that mainstream Taiwanese people want peace across the Taiwan Straits, and the Democratic Progressive Party should properly handle cross Straits issues to avoid further deepening cross Straits confrontation.
On the 14th, at the symposium on "Taiwan's New Situation and Cross Strait Relations after the 2024 Election" held in Taipei, Chen Qinfu, the chief writer of the China Times, pointed out that 60% of the votes that were not cast for the Democratic Progressive Party this time were Taiwan's people's voice for peace across the Taiwan Straits, and the Democratic Progressive Party should hear it. From the statements made by the mainland after the election, we can see that the tone of the mainland's adherence to the 1992 Consensus, opposition to "Taiwan independence", and promotion of cross Strait exchanges and integrated development has not changed, which is also an opportunity that Taiwan can seize. Whether Lai Qingde can adjust his route after taking office is related to how cross-strait relations continue to develop.
Zhao Chunshan, an honorary professor of Tamkang University in Taiwan, pointed out that the continued ruling of the Democratic Progressive Party will inevitably lead to further confrontation in cross-strait relations. The "1992 Consensus" is the bottom line that the mainland cannot make concessions. If the DPP refuses to recognize the "1992 Consensus", the two sides will not be able to talk and negotiate. Weng Ruzhong, an associate professor who teaches in American universities, believes that Lai Qingde should make some adjustments to his cross-strait discourse before taking the oath of office on May 20 to promote the stability of cross-strait relations.
Rong Futian, president and chief writer of Taiwan's "Wang Bao", mentioned that 60% of Taiwan's voters are not happy to see the Democratic Progressive Party in power, and the Democratic Progressive Party is unpopular, which is very certain. For the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the "double minority" structure of the electoral turnout and legislative seats will bring great difficulties to its future governance. Lai Qingde is afraid that he is unable to effectively control the development of "Taiwan independence" and effectively deal with cross Strait relations, which may add uncertainties to cross Strait relations. The prescription to avoid cross-strait relations slipping into danger is to promote cross-strait exchanges to resume as soon as possible.
In addition, as for cross-strait economic and trade relations, Ding Renfang, a professor of the Department of Political Science at Taiwan's Chenggong University, said in a telephone interview with the China News Agency that most business people want a stable cross-strait environment and their own development will not be disturbed. However, Lai Qingde's policy line is likely to increase the risk of conflict between the two sides. "Everyone knows that he is a 'pragmatic worker for Taiwan independence'", and the mainland will also counter it. The Cross Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) already has some projects that are facing suspension, and the possibility of full termination will not be ruled out in the future. However, the people on both sides of the Straits should continue to promote the integration and development of the two sides.
Zhu Yunpeng, a chair professor at Soochow University in Taiwan, pointed out to reporters from China News Agency that the industry between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits is deeply connected. If the situation in the Taiwan Straits is unstable and the Taiwan Straits becomes a high-risk area, investors will only leave Taiwan and take away employment opportunities. The DPP authorities should stop stigmatizing the "1992 Consensus", and the two sides need dialogue, so that the economic and trade exchanges beneficial to both sides can continue. (End)
