First, the philosophy:
Likening the military might of Taiwan and China to a grasshopper and a rooster, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said although Taiwan could be a powerful grasshopper, the best strategy was not to provoke the rooster but to prevent it from taking any reckless action.
The paper (UDN) quoted Ma as citing Chinese philosopher Mencius (孟子), who Ma said wrote that the best way for two countries to get along was for the smaller country to be smart and flexible in dealing with the bigger one, and the bigger country generous and kind and not to browbeat its smaller counterpart.
Citing Sun Tzu’s (孫子) The Art of War, Ma said the supreme art of war was to subdue the enemy without ever raising a weapon.
“If we can make good use of our resources, astuteness and diplomacy, we can protect the country in a peaceful way,” he said. “Why do we even want to resort to the worst plan of starting a war?” (Note that this completely absents China's role in the 'starting of a war'. China's pressure on Taiwan to take only one path is not a factor. It is only Taiwan that would start a war - by insisting on retaining as much sovereignty and independence as possible, clearly a super aggressive move in international diplomacy.)
Second, the claims that can't be substantiated:
Ma said he did not consult with Beijing about his “diplomatic truce” policy before he announced it, but China accepted it.
The policy benefited both Taiwan and China because they no longer need to waste money on trying to lure away the other’s diplomatic allies, allowing the two sides to coexist peacefully, Ma was quoted as saying.
Third, the dangers:
The daily also reported that Ma acknowledged the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) poses risks, but added that he had a remedy for such problems.
Ma said the pact would present three difficulties:
- market competition risks,
- economic reliance on China
- returning political favors.
To address these problems, it was important to:
- strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises,
- upgrade the value of key products,
- prevent political language
- create cross-strait equality and reciprocity
