KMT's Lien Chan Plans Controversial Visit to Beijing Before 2004 Election

KMT Chairman Lien Chan announced plans on November 27, 2003, to visit Beijing after Taiwan’s March 2004 presidential election, signaling the opposition’s willingness to engage directly with China’s authoritarian leadership to gain political advantage against the governing DPP.

Strategic Calculation

Lien’s announcement reflected complex political dynamics:

Electoral Positioning

Trail Chen in polls
Need game-changing move
Appeal to business community
Contrast with DPP “troublemaking”

Beijing’s Invitation

CCP eager to undermine Chen
United Front work intensified
Opposition cultivation strategy
Democratic division exploited

Democratic Dilemma

The planned visit raised fundamental questions:

Legitimacy Issues

Engaging authoritarian regime
Undermining elected government
Foreign policy confusion
Democratic norms violated?

Practical Concerns

What concessions expected?
Beijing’s agenda served?
Taiwan’s interests protected?
Electoral interference?

Political Reactions

DPP Response

“Selling out Taiwan”
“Beijing’s puppet”
“Undermining democracy”
“Secret deals suspected”

KMT Defense

“Promoting peace”
“Economic necessity”
“Dialogue better than confrontation”
“Pragmatism not ideology”

Public Opinion

Polls showed division:

45% supported engagement
38% opposed visit
17% undecided
Business community supportive

Beijing’s Strategy

Short-term Goals

Influence 2004 election
Undermine Chen Shui-bian
Split Taiwan politically
Reward “reasonable” forces

Long-term Objectives

Establish KMT dependence
Create political leverage
Normalize CCP-KMT ties
Isolate independence forces

Historical Irony

The former anti-communist party now sought Beijing’s help:

From Enemies to Partners?

Civil war adversaries
Ideological opposites
Now tactical allies?
Democracy complicated alignments

Chiang’s Legacy Questioned

Chiang Kai-shek spinning in grave
Anti-communist crusade abandoned
Mainland recovery dream dead
Pragmatism triumphant

Democratic Debate

Media Coverage

Taiwan’s free press explored all angles:

Strategic analysis
Historical context
Business perspectives
Security concerns

Legislative Discussion

DPP condemned plans
TSU called it treason
PFP supported dialogue
Public hearings held

International Concerns

U.S. Perspective

Worried about confusion
One-China policy complicated
Democratic allies divided
Beijing’s influence growing

Regional Views

Japan concerned about precedent
ASEAN watched carefully
Business interests supportive
Democratic values questioned

Conditions and Expectations

KMT’s Positions

No preconditions claimed
Economic focus emphasized
Political issues secondary
Peace and stability priority

Beijing’s Requirements

One-China acknowledgment expected
Opposition to independence
Economic integration deepening
Political submission eventually

Campaign Impact

For 2004 Election

Major campaign issue
Identity politics sharpened
China factor central
Democracy vs. engagement

Voter Calculations

Economic benefits vs. sovereignty
Peace vs. dignity
Pragmatism vs. principles
Future direction debated

Democratic Precedent

The planned visit raised questions:

Opposition Diplomacy

Appropriate boundaries?
Constitutional limits?
Democratic norms?
International practice?

Authoritarian Engagement

Legitimizing dictatorship?
Undermining democracy?
Short-term gains vs. long-term costs?
Values vs. interests?

Media Manipulation

Beijing’s Propaganda

“Taiwan compatriots welcome”
“Peaceful reunification advancing”
“Separatists isolated”
“Historic breakthrough coming”

Taiwan’s Coverage

Diverse opinions aired
Risks analyzed
Benefits debated
Democracy functioning

Strategic Implications

If Visit Happens

Beijing gains legitimacy
DPP isolated internationally
Cross-strait framework shifts
Democracy complicated

If Cancelled

KMT looks weak
Beijing angered
Status quo continues
Election dynamics unchanged

Looking Ahead

The planned visit foreshadowed:

Post-Election Scenarios

If Chen wins: Visit as opposition
If Lien wins: Visit as president
Different implications
Democracy tested either way

Long-term Patterns

Opposition-Beijing coordination
Democratic division exploited
Economic leverage applied
Authoritarian patience rewarded

Lien Chan’s planned Beijing visit demonstrated how Taiwan’s democratic competition could be exploited by authoritarian China, with opposition parties tempted to seek advantage through engagement with the CCP, raising fundamental questions about democratic solidarity versus partisan advantage.