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By Yao Meng-chang 姚孟昌
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Under continuous pressure from the opposite side of the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan’s sports teams are required to compete internationally under the name “Chinese Taipei.” Last week, during the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup held in Australia, former Taiwan soccer coach Chen Kuei-jen (陳貴人) — who was a Ministry of Sports advisory committee member for the women’s national team and head coach of the men’s national team from 2012 to 2016 — was removed from the venue for shouting “Go Taiwan” from the sidelines. Upon hearing the news, both athletes and citizens alike felt deeply aggrieved. In the course of conducting diplomacy, governments often face many unspoken hardships.
If our nation hopes to expand its diplomatic space, it cannot afford to be overly concerned with symbolic titles or formalities — instead, it must proceed with flexibility and pragmatism. This was true during the era of former president Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國), and likewise during the time of former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝). It was also true under the administrations of former presidents Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), and must continue under President William Lai’s (賴清德) government. The success of pragmatic diplomacy relies on cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties, and unity of purpose from the highest to the lowest levels of government.
Therefore, most citizens should understand why, when traveling to the Tokyo Dome to cheer on the national baseball team, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) had to do as a “private citizen” and paid for at his own expense. First, it was to avoid causing any difficulties for the host government, and second, it was to prevent deliberate obstruction or complications from the Legislative Yuan. Anyone who keeps national interests in mind, sees issues from others’ perspectives and possesses empathy can appreciate both the approach and intent behind Cho’s actions.
If some are still questioning why Cho has not acknowledged the trip as an “official duty” and continue to nitpick the Executive Yuan over every little detail, then they no longer hold issue with Cho as a person — rather, they are questioning the pragmatic diplomatic practices followed by the Lai administration and are making things difficult for the Republic of China itself.
State affairs are difficult, and diplomacy is no easy task. The public has witnessed firsthand the merits and outcomes of Cho’s trip to Tokyo, and would ultimately render its own judgement.
Yao Meng-chang is an assistant professor in Fu Jen Catholic University’s Department of Postgraduate Legal Studies.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen