Groups accuse Fu, KMT of subverting democracy

Taiwanese independence advocates on Saturday accused Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers of subverting the nation’s democracy and colluding with Beijing to sell out Taiwan with their planned visit to China this week.

“Fu Kun-chi (傅 萁) became the KMT caucus whip in this legislative session and right away he is eagerly leading KMT lawmakers to China,” a release issued by an alliance of Taiwanese independence organizations said.

“It is the KMT’s plan to collude with a hostile state, taking instruction from Beijing to influence Taiwan’s politics before and after the May 20 inauguration of president-elect William Lai (賴清德),” it said.

Taiwanese elected them to the legislature to represent their constituency, “they did not vote for you to sell out Taiwan,” it added.

The release was signed by more than 40 organizations, including the Taiwan Society, the Taiwan Association of University Professors, the Taiwan New Constitution Foundation, the World United Formosans for Independence and the Taiwan Youth Association for Democracy.

The release accused Fu and KMT lawmakers of conspiring to destroy Taiwan’s freedom and democracy.

“We can see it is happening, in the current KMT proposals to expand the power of legislators so that they can subvert other branches of the government. Also in their plans is reversing the pension reform, working to amend the Anti-Infiltration Act (反滲透法) and to shorten the period for Chinese spouses to obtain Taiwanese citizenship,” the release said. “All these are working to reverse the progress made by Taiwan toward freedom and democracy over the past three decades.”

Fu on Thursday last week confirmed that he would head a delegation of KMT lawmakers on a visit to China before May 20, adding that it was an attempt to alleviate cross-strait tensions before Lai’s inauguration.

Tensions across the Strait have resulted in a near-cessation of Taiwan-China tourism, and Taiwanese agricultural and fishery products cannot be exported to China, he said, adding that the purpose of the visit is to pave the way for Taiwanese to enjoy prosperity, a goal that all businesses are hoping for.