On Monday, Koo Kuan-min, the presidential adviser known as the "Taiwan independence leader" in Taiwan, passed away at the age of 97. Kuanmin Kuanmin had proposed Taiwan to establish relations with China as a "state of brothers".
On the morning of February 27, Koo Kuan-min, Taiwan's presidential adviser, passed away at the age of 97.
President Tsai Ing-wen pointed out in a Facebook post that in the face of authoritarian oppression, "Old Gu" has always adhered to the principles of "doing the right thing" and "doing nothing is zero" to protect Taiwan's subjectivity. Vice President Lai Qingde also said on Facebook: "Please rest in peace, Mr. Gu, Taiwan will be handed over to us, and we will continue to protect Taiwan's democracy, peace and prosperity."
In response to the previous statement by the Beijing authorities that if the "1992 Consensus" is not mentioned, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait will be shaken. In an exclusive interview with Radio Free Asia on May 13, 2020, Gu Kuanmin pointed out that he asked his brother Gu Zhenfu, who participated in the "Gu-Wang Talks" between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, whether there is a so-called "1992 Consensus"? The elder brother scolded him severely and said: "Why are you so stupid? If there is a consensus in 1992, how can there be a need for 'respective expression'?"
Kuan-min Kuan-min told this station at the time that the so-called "Taiwan independence" used to mean independence from Chiang Kai-shek and the Republic of China. The idea of Taiwan independence is outdated, and Taiwan should be promoted to become a "normalized country." Gu Kuanmin said that if Tsai Ing-wen really wants to return to the United Nations, she must remove the "Republic of China". He said that the United States has realized that if Taiwan becomes part of China, the Taiwan Strait will become China's inland sea; the United States best understands that it is a historical necessity for immigrants to build a country.
The "Taiwan Independent Nation-Building Alliance" also posted the news of Kuan-min Kuan-min's death on Facebook on the 27th, commending him for adhering to the Taiwan spirit throughout his life and successfully completing his life.
Gu Kuanmin comes from one of the five major families in Taiwan, the "Lukang Gu family". He is the eighth son of Gu Xianrong, and his mother is Japanese. When Taiwan was ceded in the late Qing Dynasty, Gu Xianrong joined the Japanese army and entered Taipei City, rising in the business world and causing controversy. Gu Xianrong was also the first Taiwanese member of the House of Nobles elected by the Emperor.
In his early years, Kuan-Min Kuan and people outside the party established the Taiwan Independence Alliance in Japan, funded the Taiwan Independence Movement, and founded magazines such as "Taiwan Spring and Autumn", "Black and White News Weekly", and "Japanese Digest".
Gu Kuanmin once revealed that he advised Chiang Ching-kuo that counterattacking the mainland is a fool's dream, and Taiwan should be given priority. He was also questioned about "surrendering" because he met Chiang Ching-kuo, and was expelled from the Taiwan Independence Alliance. Gu Kuanmin also advocated in front of Jiang Jingguo to delete the "native place column" of the ID card to dilute the difference of provincial nationality.
White hair, a white suit, a white beard, and a cigarette in his hand are the signature image that Gu Kuanmin left to outsiders in his later years. He once supported Lai Qingde's presidential election, and insinuated that Tsai Ing-wen "wearing a skirt is not suitable to be the commander-in-chief of the armed forces" and "can the future of the DPP be handed over to an unmarried lady", so he was criticized by public opinion as sexist.
In 2008, Kuan-min Kuan-min and Tsai Ing-wen failed to run for the chairmanship of the Democratic Progressive Party. Afterwards, the National Policy Think Tank for New Taiwan and the Taiwan Constitutional Foundation were established to promote a constitutional referendum, which was rejected by the Central Election Commission. On May 20, 2016, at Tsai Ing-wen's inauguration ceremony, Koo Kuan-min refused to stand when the national anthem of the Republic of China was played, in order to protest the national anthem, country name and constitution that he considered "not in line with the facts of Taiwan's current situation".
Kuan-min Kuan-min has long advocated that Taiwan and China should be "states of brothers" and that "they are born from the same roots, so why is it too urgent to fight each other?" He believes that China's economic boom back then relied on Taiwanese businessmen, and he should use his brother's position to recognize Taiwan as a country and an equal "state of brothers" and help Taiwan join the United Nations.
Shi Zhengfeng, a professor at Taiwan's Donghua University, was interviewed by Radio Free Asia and mentioned that "A State of Brothers" is Mr. Koo's masterpiece, but can it be bypassed? Lien Chan once advocated "a confederal system on both sides of the strait" and was criticized, but China would not even accept a "federation"; Chen Shui-bian wanted to mention the European Union model, and also talked about "a Chinese society on both sides of the strait"; former Vice President Lu Xiulian advocated "distant relatives and close neighbors".
Shi Zhengfeng said: "I think Xi Jinping is still thinking about whether he can accept the 'Republic of China'? Is the 'Republic of China' Taiwan independence? Xi Jinping proposed the 'Five Points of Xi' and the Taiwan plan of one country, two systems last time, but he was very careful after being culled by Xiaoying. Wang Huning's political offensive is still difficult to comment on."
Chen Yongfeng, director of the Center for Japanese Regional Studies at Tunghai University in Taiwan, said in an interview with Radio Free Asia that "brothers" can be separated without a wall, just like the United Kingdom and the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, and the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Can't they become more than two countries? ? Of course. The two sides do not deny that they look the same and their ancestors come from the same place, but so what? Chinese people can also fully accept the concept of separation of brothers. For example, Koo Kuan-min and Koo Chen-fu have completely different political lines. Well-known Taiwanese conglomerates such as Fubon, Cathay Pacific, and Shin Kong have all separated.
Taiwan independence leaders have withered one after another Taiwan independence movement to a new stage?
As Gao Junming, Shi Ming, Peng Mingmin, and Gu Kuanmin withered one after another, Chen Yongfeng predicted that the death of the iconic figure of Taiwan independence is the end of an era, and it is also the abandonment of the burden of the "old Taiwan independence" concept. He believes that talking about "Taiwan independence" in the past made many people afraid, trembling, and allergic. The concept of "Taiwan independence" will have a new realm and stage, and become a daily life.
Chen Yongfeng said: "The old Taiwan independence is over, and the new Taiwan independence is emerging. The new Taiwan independence does not talk about Taiwan independence. Gu Kuanmin's death has removed many obstacles to the "Taiwan Independence King Sun" President Lai Qingde's candidacy. There is no longer a very powerful force that must force Lai Qingde. It is necessary to talk about Taiwan independence. When Tsai Ing-wen appointed Lai Qingde as the executive president, Lai Qingde said in the Legislative Yuan, "I am a pragmatic worker for Taiwan independence", and he actually explained to this group of people. But the consequences are very troublesome, and it is still difficult to explain himself. Clear up the words. Lai Qingde can now be said to accept the resources of this faction, but the burden is gone."
Chen Yongfeng said: "Tsai Ing-wen completely abandons name rectification and constitution-making. The Republic of China can be used as long as it can be used. The Republic of China Constitution can be used as long as it is good. A pragmatic line. The old school of Taiwan independence and fundamentalism has indeed officially disappeared from the face of the earth.”
The Taiwan Constitutional Foundation released the video "Dedicated to my country, Taiwan" on the 27th, quoting Kuan-min as saying: "I feel very happy in my time. The greatest happiness is that I can have an ultimate goal in my life, which I can pursue. and struggle". He hoped to encourage young people: "Now is the best time to develop a sense of justice, ideals, and value", "Taiwan has always been a Taiwan ruled by the Taiwanese themselves", "Ku Kuan-min will leave this society sooner or later, but Taiwan will always exist." .Taiwan’s permanent existence depends on all of you.”
Lin Yizheng, executive director of the Constitutional Foundation, was interviewed by Radio Free Asia and mentioned that Koo Kuan-min explained that the draft of Taiwan’s new constitution is almost complete. Only when this goal can be achieved can Taiwan’s security be ensured. Once China invades Taiwan by force, the whole world will recognize that Taiwan and China are countries that are not affiliated with each other, and it will be more legitimate for the world to help Taiwan.”
Lin Yizheng said that Gu Kuanmin believes that a stronger national consciousness and a firmer defense of the Taiwanese people are the most necessary conditions for protecting Taiwan. The world will also have a stronger willingness to assist Taiwan in resisting Chinese aggression. It is expected that Taiwan will be like the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and South America. and other immigrant societies, and eventually become independent, normal and dignified countries.