Nationalist Party Wins Majority in Taiwanese Parliament

In Taiwan, there was a massive blow against President Chen Shui-bian’s government when the Nationalist party, the opposing party to Chen’s Democratic Progressive Party won the majority seat in the parliament. They gained 86 seats in a 113-seat parliament. This comes at a time when the DPP is about to lose their spot in the presidency since Chen needs to step down in March. What this could do is turn the nation that, under Chen’s guidance, was really trying to finalize its de facto independence. However, with the Nationalist win, it could foreshadow a Nationalist win for the presidency.

One of the big issues that was discussed in Taiwan was the same issue that is being discussed here in America. The economy! Salaries have been stagnant in Taiwan and the unfortunate thing is, consumer goods are skyrocketing in price. So, the problem for these individuals is that they can’t afford things anymore. And, with China having an economic boom, it’s important for Taiwan to really get their economy going. And, the Nationalists have said that they have a plan to try and get that economy going. How? Include China in their plans.

The Nationalists are looking to allow Chinese tourists to come to the island. They’re looking to allow flights to go to and from China. Tourism is an amazing profit for islands and anywhere really and allowing Chinese tourists to come to Taiwan could give a nice boost to the stagnant economy. The Nationalists are also hoping that they might warm the ice cold relations between China and Taiwan. In the 1940s, there was an unresolved Civil War and Taiwan considered itself independent, but China did not. China still felt they were part of the mainland.

The one thing that the Nationalists have not pushed off the table is the possibility of rejoining China, which infuriates people in Taiwan. They wanted to be independent. They feel they are independent even though China does not. This battle over being independent or not independent has caused tension between China and America for decades. If the Nationalists take the Presidency, it will end a lot of gridlock, tense debates between the Legislation and Executive branches. This could bring about a lot of change for Taiwan. It could be good and it could be bad. We’ll have to wait and see.