• Move is seen as ploy to pressure independence-leaning administration after it said it would not push for official diplomatic ties with Washington
• But critics say it will hurt traditionally mainland-friendly party’s relations with Beijing and one pro-government politician says the move is ‘insane’

South China Morning Post
Date: 6 Oct, 2020
By: Lawrence Chung

Taiwan’s main opposition party Kuomintang has pushed the government of President Tsai Ing-wen to re-establish diplomatic ties with the United States, which switched recognition to Beijing in 1979.

But critics described it as a stunt designed to embarrass the government because of the impracticality of the step.

Observers also said the move – which is seen as more radical than anything advocated by Tsai’s independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party – would further undermine trust between the KMT and the mainland authorities and shatter the party’s hopes of becoming a key mediator in cross-strait relations.

The motion was tabled by the KMT caucus during Tuesday’s session of the legislature, where the party also asked the government to seek US help in resisting actions by Beijing that would undermine its security, social and economic systems.    [FULL  STORY]