Stay alert to DPP's latest 'pro-independence' move

Chinese paramilitary policemen stand guard in front of a huge portrait of Chinese revolutionary pioneer Sun Yat-sen, at the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, Oct 1, 2015. [Photo/IC]

For separatists seeking "Taiwan independence", one of the biggest hurdles they have to overcome is the inseverable links between the mainland and Taiwan, be they social, cultural or historical.

That is why they are intent on distorting history, and erasing any hallmarks that bind the mainland and Taiwan together or suggest people on both sides of the Straits are descendents of the Chinese nation.

In their latest move, a "pro-independence" Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker in Taiwan has suggested removing portraits of Dr Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of modern China, from all government buildings and public schools, as is currently required by law on the island.

The DPP "legislator" has submitted a draft motion on the portraits to the DPP-controlled "Legislative Yuan", which is scheduled to meet at the weekend.

The proposal warrants alert by the mainland as it is a sign of where the DPP wants to lead Taiwan.

A great revolutionary and statesman, Dr Sun has long been held in reverence on both sides of the Straits for the leading role he played in the 1911 Revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and ended more than 2,000 years of imperial rule. He remains one of the few political figures that provide common ground for both sides of the Straits.

By targeting Sun, the extremists in the DPP are publicly challenging the bottom line set by the mainland on Taiwan.

Before the January "presidential election" that was won by DPP leader Tsai Ying-wen, she pledged to maintain the status quo in cross-Straits relations and expressed her wish to keep a lid on tensions. Tsai voiced veiled criticism on the portrait motion on Wednesday.

But with less than three months to go before she takes office in May, any failure to rein in the extremists within her party will belie her "goodwill" and minimize the possibility of the mainland considering her a worthy political leader to deal with.

Despite all the fanfare by the separatists, most people in Taiwan realize any move to seek "independence" is a dead end, and will only invite forceful responses from the other side of the Straits, as stipulated in the mainland's Anti-Secession Law. This cannot be altered no matter which political party is in power in the island.

The attempt to eliminate Dr Sun's image as well as his influence from Taiwan's political life is like playing with fire.