Facing avalanching criticism and opposition, he nevertheless announced a decision to stop the operation of the "National Unification Council (NUC)" on Feb. 27, 2006. It is like "calumny and fallacy impairing justice and floating clouds screening the sun". The sudden high wind sends a dangerous signal that someone is again attempting to stir up cross-Straits crisis.

It goes without saying that Taiwan now has too many proper businesses to deal with. So why all of a sudden abolishing the "NUC"? In Chen's eyes the "NUC" has long existed merely in name. With no session held during his tenure of office, its budget has been cut to almost none and the "National Unification Guidelines" shelved unheeded for long.

So why did he take out something he dropped into the paper basket and throw it away once again in front of the public?

First, it's a political calculation by the "deep green" forces.

The "National Unification Guidelines" outlines short-range, mid-range and long-range targets for the reunification across the Taiwan straits, which make those obsessed with "independence" uneasy and nervous. It is an obstacle for them.

The evolution of politics on the island and relations across the Taiwan straits in 2005 has greatly increased the sense of crisis for "independence" forces who are depressed but determined to recapture the dominance.

Hampered by the "five no's", policy and red lines everywhere they have attempted and bumped into walls. So they decided to start with the "National Unification Guidelines" and try to bring to life the "separation mechanism" through stirring up a little-heeded topic, then go even further to change the cross-Straits status quo.

These days, the "independence" forces are brewing an even more straightforward "fervent indulgence" by announcing to release a version of "new constitution" that touches on the "national flag", "national title" and "territory". Therefore, "abolishing NUC" is only the first step in its political scheme. What they really want is "de jure Taiwan independence". The next step would be total abandonment of what is left of the "four no's" commitment.

Second, this is the "Taiwan independence" politicians' extravagant gamble for their own desire for power.

Chen Shui-bian has his own wishful thinking. Fully aware that "Taiwan independence" is impossible, he, however, needs to gain during these uproars. His approval rate has recently declined to an embarrassing low due to election defeat and fraud. To avoid the "lame duck" situation from coming early, he's determined to incline toward the dogmatist independence faction after a long meditation. In hope for the "master of the Green Camp", he has to put up a show.

From a short-term perspective, with abolishment of the "NUC", Chen Shui-bian can distract public opinion, extricate himself from the most urgent problems and shift attention to a more abstract topic, so as to make the public forget about the reality of economic depression and frequent corruption exposal. Regrettably, the obviously sham move harvested immediate effects on the island.

From a long-term perspective, involved in some corruption cases, he's worried that he might be called to account after the end of his term two years from now, hence the performance of "last frenzy". By pushing toward extreme "independence", he's trying to build himself a line of protection so that in the future he might enjoy the aegis of a political force like Lee Tung-hui. Perhaps for him, it's a way of no return.

Chen Shui-bian's attitude of obstinately clinging to his course is exactly the same as Lee Teng-hui's when the latter threw out the "two-states theory" causing great disturbance and said "the greater the disturbance, the better". In other words, it's stirring up the fight between reunification and "independence", splitting the Taiwan society and in the meantime provoking the mainland, producing grievance, fanning populist feelings and trying to pull chestnuts out of the fire by manipulating the critical point of cross-Straits crisis. It is no different than marketplace behavior of making extravagant demands and driving up own price. It perhaps worked in the past. Are there any reasons to believe that it can work like panacea now?

Chen Shui-bian has begun to eat his own words bit by bit. What he abolished is not just an institution or a document, it involves a Chinese spirit. He deprived the Taiwan public in the middle of the option for future reunification, which is a bit too extreme! Like throwing out a "shocking bomb" it's bound to exacerbate political disturbance on the island, or even trigger a cross-Straits crisis ruining the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. As to its grave consequences even a big shot in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said "it's really bad". Walking down the "independence" road will only lead to a worsening straitjacket situation for the DPP and more and more a plight for Taiwan. Do the Chen Shui-bian authorities really have to walk down their road by themselves like this?

The article on the front page of People's Daily Overseas Edition, Feb. 28, is authored by Lian Jintian, senior editor with People's Daily, and translated by People's Daily Online.