Taiwan's Ma mismanaging ties with Japan, China: DPP chief

Friday 20th June, 06:12 AM JST

TAIPEI —

Taiwan’s shifting relations with Japan and China reveal disturbing flaws in the government’s handling of security and diplomacy less than a month after President Ma Ying-jeou took office, said the island’s main opposition party chief Thursday. In her first interview with foreign media since becoming chairwoman of the Democratic Progressive Party, Tsai Ing-wen said that Ma’s approaches to a recent row with Japan and warming ties with China underscore a stunning lack of preparation by his administration.

‘‘Already, this administration is faced with two problems…and its attitude and approach to handling them has upset many people,’’ Tsai said. She was referring to a territorial tiff with Japan and what she described as a haphazard liberalization of ties across the Taiwan Strait. ‘‘It isn’t prepared.’’ Since last week, Ma has come under fire from the DPP over a ship collision in waters claimed by both Taipei and Tokyo. In doing so, it has cited the smoother sailing of Taiwan-Japan ties under former President Chen Shui-bian of the DPP.

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7 Comments

OssanULTRA at 06:51 AM JST - 20th June

Well...this kind of criticism was exptected...and well earned.
some14some at 06:58 AM JST - 20th June

Had it been Democratic Progressive Party, people would not have voted them out. And now it stands as Dissident Peoples Party.
Shumatsu_Samurai at 03:42 PM JST - 20th June

Had it been Democratic Progressive Party, people would not have voted them out.

Democracy doesn't work that way. After two terms in office an electorate often tires and votes for an alternative.

Ma has not done that well - approval rates appear to be dropping. If he wants to be President he needs to lead, ergo knock stupid lawmakers from his own party on the head and make them play ball. Also he needs to not let China dictate how talks will occur and get the US to carry on with promised arms sales, lest it be left to the new administration which could delay them even further.
Chinese_American_Guy at 04:52 PM JST - 20th June

The DPP mismanages the economy where they claim Taiwan mismanages ties. But who's in power now?
yosun at 11:04 PM JST - 20th June

partly agree with what she said, but people decide to vote u or not is up to what u did, not what u said! bottom line is u anyway can't steal people's money.
Shumatsu_Samurai at 04:20 AM JST - 21st June

bottom line is u anyway can't steal people's money.

The KMT proved that's wrong - they stole Taiwan's money for decades and then blocked changes in the law to reverse that.
yosun at 01:02 PM JST - 21st June

"The KMT proved that's wrong - they stole Taiwan's money for decades and then blocked changes in the law to reverse that"

Maybe! But however trust the people, people is judge of super-supreme court - basic democracy principle. people decide who's guilty and that's how this civilization work.