A long and blistering article written by a Chinese military official suggesting that Tsai Ing-wen, who just took office as the leader of Taiwan, was "extreme" and "emotional" because she was unmarried sparked a storm of criticism online.



The author argued that Tsai's single status could lead her to hold radical views and take short-term actions.



The article met with overwhelming criticism. Netizens accused the article of being overly sexist and pointed to successful and single female politicians such as South Korean President Park Geun-hye and former Chinese vice premier Wu Yi. The piece was later dropped from the website where it was originally published.



The reaction that the article received suggests that rationality still dominates the mainland's mainstream society. How Tsai will govern Taiwan depends more on her educational background and political experience as well as the changing regional landscape. The proposition that singledom will make female politicians enact hawkish policies is ludicrous.



There seems to be an unhealthy tendency that political critiques can devolve into sensational personal attacks, neglecting substantive issues that are supposed to be dominating serious policy discussions. Whether it is the media or individuals, to discredit one's privacy and launch personal attacks does not address the real issues.



What generates concerns from the mainland is the pro-independence approach likely to be adopted by Tsai. Tsai has not sent enough goodwill to the mainland since she won the election in January. Analysts have predicted that cross-Straits ties will enter an era of uncertainty.



In her inauguration speech last Friday, Tsai made no mention of the 1992 Consensus that endorses the principle of one-China. Her administration also took a few steps that were a regression from the former Kuomintang government.



The mainland would like to bring Tsai and Taiwan back on the right track for a smooth relationship, but attacking her single status does not help boost exchanges but only cause misunderstanding.



The Democratic Progressive Party and other pro-independence forces have severely undermined cross-Straits ties, which have barely been recovered over the past eight years.



Observers should focus on addressing the root causes of Taiwan independence and be alert to a resurgence of Taiwan independence forces, instead of casting an eye on Tsai's personal affairs which have nothing to do with her political style and strategy.



