Dangerous duo will push Taiwan into abyss

On Nov 20, Lai Ching-te, deputy head of authorities of the Chinese island of Taiwan and the Democratic Progressive Party candidate in the island's local election next year, announced that Hsiao Bi-khim, the so-called Taiwan's "representative" to the United States, would serve as his deputy in the election. That has triggered concerns that the "dual-separatist combination" that Lai and Hsiao forms will only push Taiwan into the abyss. That is why the two have been described as the "most dangerous combination".

Earlier this year, Lai "visited" the US to lobby Washington to support him in the election next year, despite the opposition of Taiwan compatriots fearing that would come at the cost of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Hsiao has been actively playing the role of political broker, inviting US politicians to visit Taiwan to endorse the DPP authorities' secessionist cause. She has lobbied the island authorities to lift the ban on imports of US pork that contains the leanness-enhancing additive ractopamine, and encouraged Taiwan to purchase large amounts of US weapons. Always docile and obedient to the US, she acts more like a "US representative to Taiwan".

The duet of the two secessionists will gravely intensify cross-Strait tensions, and push the island into a dangerous predicament. Voters on the island should have no doubt that "Taiwan independence" means national reunification by force.

Lai and Hsiao will downgrade Taiwan into a "land of exploitation" for the US to extract value and make it a dumping ground for outdated but expensive weapons. The island will simply become a "cash machine" and "blood transfusion kit" for whatever Washington wants. Because of this, the pair should be strongly opposed by compatriots on the island.

Taiwan's future lies in national reunification, and the well-being of Taiwan compatriots depends on that too. The Lai-Hsiao dual-secessionist combo of the DPP will jeopardize Taiwan's future and destiny, and harm the interests and well-being of residents on the island. The "Taiwan independence" cause is doomed to failure.