TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Ryan Hass, a former White House official, praised the experience of Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) administration in handling cross-strait relations on Tuesday (May 14).
Serving as the director of the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution, Hass countered narratives suggesting that Lai's tenure would escalate tensions between Taiwan and China.
He highlighted the seasoned officials in Lai's government, including appointments from both current and previous administrations, demonstrating continuity in Taiwan's national security strategy, and specifically mentioned the roles of Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), Wellington Koo (顧立雄), Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), and Alexander Yui (俞大㵢), underscoring the pragmatic approach of Lai, who has promised to continue the policies of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文).
Despite Lai's past self-description as a "pragmatic worker for Taiwan independence," Hass emphasized that Lai is not a zealot focused solely on independence but is positioned towards the political center to appeal to a broader electorate.
Hass warned of Beijing's intentions to portray Lai as pushing Taiwan to the brink of war and to create divisions within Taiwan and among its allies.
He noted that China would attempt to pressure the United States and other countries into believing Lai harbors ambitions for formal independence. Despite these challenges, Hass remains optimistic about Lai's governance, advising a cautious and astute approach to push domestic agendas and garner global support.
He also dismissed comparisons between Lai and former President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), recognizing Lai's awareness of past pitfalls.
As Lai's administration moves forward, Hass's insights suggest a careful balancing act between maintaining stability in cross-strait relations and pursuing Taiwan's interests on the global stage. The coming months will reveal how effectively Lai can navigate these complex dynamics.