In the wake of the latest diplomatic wrangle between China and Japan over the disputed Tiaoyutai Islands, opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen said that 'sovereignty over the Tiaoyutais belongs to Taiwan.' The statement reflects Tsai's dilemma. She cannot follow former President Lee Teng-hui, who said after he stepped down that 'the Tiaoyutais belong to Japan' -- a stand that truly represents the pro-Taiwan independence camp. If she did, the DPP would lose its ground in Taiwan and would also have difficulty mending relations with Beijing. On the other hand, Tsai does not want to follow Chen Shui-bian, who said during his presidency that 'the Tiaoyutais belong to the Republic of China' -- a concealment of his pro-independence stand. This is because Tsai needs to consider the feelings of Taiwan independence supporters and avoid getting entangled in the 'greater China' pitfall. The pro-independence die-hards in the DPP should pay attention to Beijing's strategy on the Tiaoyutai issue: using China's economic leverage to make Japan compromise. It is impossible for Taiwan to separate from China economically. The DPP needs to ponder how it would face Beijing's possible threat to terminate the economic cooperation framework agreement with Taiwan if the DPP returned to power and stuck to the pro-independence stand. 