Zhao Yixiang, head of the political group of Taiwan's "Representative Office in the United States." (Photo/ From Zhao Yixiang's personal homepage)
Media reports have reported that more than two years ago, there was a storm in the city, and Zhao Yixiang, the "brother of interpretation," who was sent as the head of the political group of Taiwan's "representative office in the United States," was ready to resign and return to Taiwan to run for the Taipei City Council. As soon as the news came out, public opinion was in an uproar. It also once again highlights the absurdity of the Tsai Ing-wen administration's political remuneration for foreign affairs officials.
Zhao Yixiang did not pass the special foreign affairs examination, did not have the qualifications for the appointment of personnel stationed abroad, and was appointed to the United States as a political appointment. At that time, in order to defend the "legitimacy" of the appointment, the Tsai authorities claimed that Zhao Yixiang was a rare talent. Xie Zhiwei, also a politically appointed "representative in Germany," also endorsed the interpreter brother on his personal social media account, emphasizing that clear-eyed people know at a glance that Wu Zhaoxie is cultivating a "rare one out of ten thousand" American talents for Taiwan.
In fact, the "Brother Interpreter" lacked foreign experience, worked in Taiwan's foreign affairs department for less than two years, during which time he was only responsible for the liaison work of the department in charge of administrative affairs, but only because he was fluent in English and served as the confidential secretary of Wu Zhaoxie, the head of the foreign affairs department of the Taiwan authorities, so he was reused.
A few days ago, Zheng Honghui, executive director of the Democratic Progressive Party Central Committee, submitted a letter in the media, claiming that Xiao Meiqin may be the most critical "representative in the United States" before the "establishment of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and the United States." Since Zhao Yixiang is a rare talent for the United States, and now that the new Biden administration is in office, is it not a good opportunity for the "brother of interpretation" to show his long talents and assist Xiao Meiqin in accomplishing the historical cause of "establishing diplomatic relations between Taiwan and the United States" in one fell swoop? But Zhao Yixiang said that he would come and go when he wanted, and the trip to the United States was like a child's play. Can it not make the People of Taiwan, especially the professional foreign affairs personnel, angry?
For the sake of political remuneration, the Tsai authorities have appointed a large number of foreign affairs positions in politics, and the laymen have led the insiders, and they have not respected the professional judgment of professional foreign affairs personnel, so that all kinds of incidents contrary to the normal track of foreign affairs often occur. The many manifestations of Taiwan's "representative in Japan" Hsieh Chang-ting are typical cases.
It is not impossible for political appointments to foreign affairs posts, but they must have specific purposes and tasks, and they must take it as their duty to safeguard Taiwan's interests. Before the 2018 "nine-in-one" election, Hsieh Chang-ting took a leave of absence to return to Taiwan to assist in the ELECTION of the DPP candidate. There is no problem with "regulations" in this matter, but there are points to be discussed in terms of political responsibility and moral standards. The primary task of the "deputies in Japan" is to strengthen Taiwan-Japan relations, and returning to Taiwan to assist in elections has nothing to do with japan's work, and obviously puts the interests of political parties above Taiwan's interests.
On April 13, the Japanese government's resolution to discharge tritium-containing wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the sea two years later provoked strong protests from neighboring countries and regions. Hsieh Chang-ting only expressed "concern" and even said that Taiwan itself also discharged nuclear wastewater, so that "secret carved fish" appeared, and it is difficult to blame Japan. In fact, Taiwan's "Academia Sinica" has long confirmed that the "secret carving fish" is caused by high water temperatures, not nuclear pollution. Even if Xie Changting wants to "help Japan" to speak, he should also do his homework in advance.
The significance of political appointments of foreign affairs personnel lies in the use of the prestige and connections of these political figures to promote relations between the Taiwan region and the localities. Conversely, if substantive relations cannot be enhanced, such political appointments can only be regarded as remuneration, not as an expansion of foreign exchanges. The Tsai authorities' political remuneration for their posts is basically to treat "diplomacy" as "internal affairs," which not only undermines the morale of professional foreign affairs personnel, but also gambles on the welfare of the people. I am afraid that the Tsai authorities will not be able to explain things to the people of Taiwan with a single word of "I'm sorry." (The author is a retired ambassador on the island)