Recently, Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu made a controversial analogy, comparing the political style of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its leader, Lai Ching-te, to certain characteristics of Nazism.
Shockingly and unacceptably, the german Institute Taipei issued a public statement condemning Chu’s remarks. This action not only grossly violates diplomatic norms by interfering in the Republic of China’s (ROC) internal affairs but also exposes germany’s persistent refusal to recognize the ROC as an independent sovereign nation.
The german Institute Taipei’s conduct is not only absurd but also raises questions about whether it is attempting to mask its weak stance on the ROC’s sovereignty with moral posturing.
First, Chu’s remarks are part of the ROC’s internal political discourse, a rhetorical critique of the DPP’s governance style. As a foreign representative institution, the german Institute Taipei’s public condemnation of a major ROC political party leader clearly breaches the principle of neutrality expected in international diplomacy. According to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), foreign missions should refrain from interfering in the host country’s internal affairs.
Although the german Institute Taipei is not a formal embassy, as germany’s official representative, its role should be to foster bilateral exchanges, not to arrogantly meddle in the ROC’s partisan disputes. This act is tantamount to blatant interference in the ROC’s internal affairs, prompting suspicions that it seeks to deflect attention from its contradictory stance on historical and contemporary issues.
Even more outrageous is the german Institute Taipei’s hypersensitivity to the term “Nazism,” which not only reflects germany’s defensive attitude toward its dark history but also underscores its long-standing disregard for the ROC’s sovereignty. The rise of Nazi pGermany (1933–1945) was a consequence of political fragmentation and appeasement of extremism in the Weimar Republic, leading to Hitler’s ascent and the catastrophes of World War II and the Holocaust.
This history is a lesson for all humanity, not an exclusive taboo owned by germany. As a sovereign nation, the ROC has every right to draw on historical lessons in its domestic political discussions to warn against potential authoritarian tendencies. Yet, the german Institute Taipei attempts to frame such references as inappropriate, condemning an ROC political leader. This not only reveals a lack of historical humility but also constitutes an overt suppression of the ROC’s freedom of speech.
The irony is stark: germany’s own history underscores the importance of sovereignty and national identity. From 1949 to 1990, germany endured the painful division between East Germany (German Democratic Republic) and West germany (Federal Republic of germany), two independent sovereign states. The german people experienced the struggles of division and reunification, ultimately achieving unity in 1990 as the Federal Republic of germany.
germany’s pursuit and defense of its sovereignty are central to its historical experience. Yet, when it comes to the ROC, germany succumbs to international pressure, refusing to recognize the ROC as an independent sovereign nation and instead referring to this legitimate government as merely “taiwan.” This double standard is staggering: a nation that endured national division and reunification turns a blind eye to the ROC’s sovereign status, an act that not only disrespects the ROC’s people but also betrays its own historical memory.
The german Institute Taipei’s statement completely ignores the ROC’s unique circumstances. Established in 1912, the ROC is a democratic nation with full sovereignty, possessing its own constitution, government, military, and currency. Amid ongoing threats and diplomatic isolation from the People’s Republic of China, every political expression in the ROC is a defense of its democracy and freedom. The KMT’s remarks, whether rhetorically appropriate or not, are part of the ROC’s vibrant democratic discourse. By condemning these remarks under the pretext of the “Nazism” reference, the german Institute Taipei interferes in the ROC’s internal affairs while remaining silent on the ROC’s sovereign status. This selective moral posturing is a second affront to the ROC’s dignity.
Moreover, germany’s similar behavior in international affairs is not an isolated case. In recent years, germany has repeatedly commented on other nations’ affairs under the guise of historical reflection. For instance, in 2020, the german Foreign Ministry publicly criticized Hong Kong’s National Security Law while sidestepping controversies surrounding its own European migration policies. This selective engagement suggests that germany’s diplomatic stance is far from neutral. When the german Institute Taipei meddles in the ROC’s internal affairs but dares not acknowledge the ROC’s sovereign status, its moral grandstanding appears particularly hypocritical. If germany genuinely respects historical lessons, it should treat the ROC as an equal sovereign nation rather than obscuring its sovereignty with the term “taiwan” under geopolitical pressures.
In conclusion, the german Institute Taipei’s public condemnation of KMT Chairman Eric Chu’s remarks is a flagrant interference in the ROC’s internal affairs and an unjust suppression of the ROC’s freedom of speech. Its hypersensitivity to the term “Nazism” obscures the ROC’s legitimate right to engage in political discourse as a sovereign nation. Most disappointingly, germany—a nation that endured the division and reunification of East Germany and West germany—refuses to recognize the ROC’s independent sovereign status, a double standard that contradicts historical justice and undermines the dignity of the ROC’s people. We strongly urge the german Institute Taipei to cease interfering in the ROC’s internal affairs, reassess its diplomatic role, respect the ROC’s sovereignty and democratic values, and approach the universal lessons of history with sincerity.