Taiwan's former President Lee Teng-hui has a penchant for controversy. His tenure in office was marked by some of the highest tensions between China, Taiwan and the United States over the past four decades. Some watchers had hoped that he would escape the spotlight after retiring from office. However, Mr. Lee has resumed a high political profile again. He is reportedly acting out of concern for his legacy, but he seems to be creating new tensions between Taiwan and the mainland that could undermine all that he endeavored to create.
Mr. Lee was a path breaker in many respects. He was the first native Taiwanese to lead the government in Taipei. He was the first Taiwanese leader to make a visit to the U.S. He was also the first Taiwanese president to be succeeded by a non-Nationalist Party candidate; some members of his party even believe that his successor, Mr. Chen Shui-bian, a member of the independence-minded Democratic Progressive Party, was Mr. Lee's choice to lead Taiwan when he retired, although the former president has repeatedly denied this.
Last month, however, Mr. Lee provided his critics with more ammunition. In a public speech, he called on the Taiwanese people to show solidarity and rally behind the new government. The setting was suggestive: He made the remarks to a group of scholars who favor Taiwan's formal independence and followed them by sitting next to Mr. Chen and clasping hands with him. Mr. Lee then headed off to the U.S. for a 10-day visit.