Lai caught in snares of his own making

It should be no surprise that Taiwan compatriots have given the cold shoulder to Lai Ching-te's so-called series of "unite the country" speeches. Not only because the island's secessionist-minded leader is trying to peddle his "pro-independence" pipe dream, but also their awareness of the dire consequences that will result if he continues his sleepwalk to conflict.

The latest survey by the island's TVBS News Network shows that the dissatisfaction rate with Lai stands at 55 percent, a record high since he took office in May last year. The four speeches Lai has given in his planned 10-installment series have directly led to the drop in his approval rating.

That might be the reason why Lai canceled his fifth speech, which was reportedly about "diplomacy" and originally planned for Saturday, even though his office cited "weather conditions" as the cause.