dpp newsletter jan2011

8/7/2019 DPP Newsletter Jan2011

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JANUARY 2011

PAGE 1

DPP holds interim National Party Congress, passesparty endorsement regulations

DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

... continued on the next pag e

The DPP held its first interim Na-

tional Party Congress to discuss

party issues, with special empha-

sis on the nomination of candi-

dates for the next legislative andpresidential elections. Chair Tsai

Ing-wen delivered the opening

speech, emphasizing “unity and

selflessness” calling for a spirit of

“working together to survive and

succeed together”.

During the ceremonial opening

of the congress, Chair Tsai invited

two special guests to accompany

her in raising the DPP’s flag. The

special guests were the candidates

for the upcoming legislative by-

elections in Kaohsiung and

Tainan, Hsu Tian-chai and Lin

Dai-hua. Their presence duringthis congress started off the Con-

gress with an atmosphere of unity

and solidarity for the party.

At a post-congress press con-

ference, DPP Secretary General

Su Chia-chuan, DPP Legislative

Caucus Convener Ker Chien-

ming and DPP Spokesperson

Cheng Wen-tsang reported to the

public on congressional decisions.

Su said that this congress rep-

resented a show of democracy and

unity, preparing the DPP to com-

bat together the challenges of the

next elections. Su also representedChair Tsai in expressing the

DPP’s gratitude to all party repre-

sentatives and colleagues. He said

that he hoped that with this at-

mosphere of solidarity, the DPP

will win the next legislative and

presidential elections.

The main highlight of the party

congress was discussion of the

endorsement process for party



JANUARY 2011

PAGE 2

candidates in the next legisla-

tive and presidential elections.

The legislative elections in

Taiwan are scheduled to be

held at the end of 2011 and the

presidential elections in spring

2012. During this National

Party Congress, resolutions

were reached by party represen-

tatives to adjust the current ar-

ticles on party endorsement

procedures.

Su said that after five hours

of debate and discussion, party

representatives were given am-

ple opportunity to express their

opinions about different proce-

dures. A majority vote was

reached to allow the use of

polling as the main method to

pass the primaries. For district

and at-large legislators, Su said

that the party congress decided

to allow the DPP’s Nomination

Committee to produce the list

of candidates.

Chair Tsai Ing-wen made

special mention to party repre-

sentatives that the DPP’s

Nomination Committee will

include disadvantaged groups,

including labor, disability and

social welfare organizations,

among the nominations for at-

large legislators. DPP Chair

Tsai also announced that party

members, through petitions,

may recommend outstanding

individuals as at-large legisla-

tors to the Nomination Com-

mittee.

The full text of DPP Chair

Tsai Ing-wen’s opening speech

is below:

“Today, due to the upcoming

campaigns and our nomination

process, we are holding this

interim National Party Con-

gress. Many people complain

that the DPP is constantly

modifying its nomination pro-

cedures. However, if we view it

from a different angle, we can

see why. Each time we do bat-

tle in elections is crucial for the

development of the party. To

keep up with political realities,

we must draft new procedures.

Therefore, we must again and

again review our nomination

strategy and see whether they

meet the current needs.

“From the viewpoint of the

DPP, the current political situa-

tion is serious. We are not a

party that sits and waits, and we

cannot afford to pay the price if

we do not change. Our only

solution is to take a step at a

time, and advance with eachstep using prudent care. Later

today, we will begin the debate

and share each other’s view-

points, and lastly, we will finish

the most important task for this

congress. But before we begin

the debate, there are some im-

portant things that I would like

share. The rise of the DPP rep-

resents the force of social pro-gress in Taiwanese society. We

are certain that we cherish our

history, but during certain peri-

ods in our history there were

also times of internal strife.

With the diversity of voices

within the party, we are able to

move forward, but if we don’t

have the same pace moving

forward, we may also take aheavy fall.

“We cannot forget the un-

pleasant memories, but they

must provide us with the cau-

tion we need to avoid repeti-

tion. We must remember what

values allowed the DPP to rise

up again these past two years,

namely: unity and selflessness.

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JANUARY 2011

PAGE 3

As the party chair, I, along with many party sup-

porters, have high expectations from each party

representative. My expectations can be compared

to the hopes of our supporters, and, in our eyes,

we do not only see different competitors in the

party, but also colleagues who can battle side by

side. We hope that the entire party can see that

under the disappointing governance of the KMT,

we are inseparable and we are the only hope for

the people.“Unity must not only be a slogan, but it must

also become a reality because we are part of the

same historical wave in which each one must put

forth their best efforts. As part of the DPP, we will

only succeed if we united. In unity there is

strength!“The immediate task is this March 5th when

Tainan City and Kaohsiung City will be holding

legislative by-elections. Our outstanding candi-

dates, Hsu Tian-chai and Lin Dai-hua, will repre-

sent our party in these elections. For all the sup-

porting campaign staff, we demand success, not

failure! And following this battle, we are about to

select the most talented candidates in our party for

the next elections. Equally important, we are also

about to issue vital issue standpoints for the coun-try. In these legislative and presidential elections,

we hope to win back once again the people’s trust

because the public is eager to share the fruits of

economic and social development in a fair way.

The public is also eager to preserve their self-

determination in the face of the current imbalance

in cross strait situation. As the public faces a rul-

ing government incapable of meeting their expec-

tations, we, as a democratic, unified and selfless

party, are the only party that is capable of settingin practice and accomplishing the people’s expec-

tations”.

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JANUARY 2011

PAGE 4

DPP issues statement regarding the Philippinesdeportation of Taiwanese citizens to China

In regards to the deportation of 14 Taiwanese na-tionals to China by the government of the Philip-

pines, the DPP expresses deep regret and issues

the following standpoints.

First, the DPP solemnly condemns Taiwan’s

Ministry of Foreign Affairs for not only failing to

take positive actions, but also for delegating this

case to the responsibility of our domestic Ministry

of Justice and the Mainland Affairs Council, re-

solving to deduct this incident as a “cross strait

issue”. The DPP appeals to the Ministry of For-eign Affairs to immediately propose a concrete

solution and to conduct a personnel review, hold-

ing responsible any diplomatic staff involved.

Second, in regards to the past warm relation-

ship between the Philippines and Taiwan in civic

and official exchanges, and this time’s unfortunate

decision by the government of the Philippines to

obey China’s demands, the DPP besides express-

ing deep regret, also appeals to the government of

the Philippines to understand that the sensitivity

of this case lies in China’s attempt to take sover-

eignty over Taiwan. We sincerely hope that the

Philippines does not become an accomplice for

China in their attempt to erode Taiwan’s democ-

racy.

Third, the DPP expresses concern over our

government’s failure in establishing clear diplo-

matic channels as a result of the current flaw in

our foreign policy. Over the past two years, our

government has adopted a China-inclined policy,

which has led other countries to believe that Bei-

jing is the manager of Taiwan affairs, and this in-

cident is just a clear example. We believe that this

diplomatic setback has caused a loss in Taiwan’s

sovereignty, and it has also damaged the rights of

our citizens abroad to face judicial justice.

DPP Chair Tsai Ing-wen, in a press conference

right after the Lunar New Year holidays, said this

has been the worst diplomatic setback for Presi-

dent Ma in recent years, and this serves a greatlesson for his flawed diplomatic truce with China.

“This incident caused a great deal of shock to

the Taiwanese community because China and the

Philippines took for granted our sovereignty and

human rights,” said Chair Tsai. “All this is a result

of President Ma’s self-limitation towards Taiwan

and towards the R.O.C. as well as China’s degra-

dation of Taiwan. Inconspicuously, President Ma

has already weakened our national interests in

foreign relations, security and defense.”Furthermore, Chair Tsai said that it appears

that Taiwan’s diplomatic truce and international

space are all agreements entrusted to China’s ar-

rangements, but she believes that our sovereignty

is the greatest price to pay.

Chair Tsai explained, “It is worrisome that

first, there will be a gradual manifestation of

negative influences by firstly seeking China’s ap-

proval to join international organizations, fixing

Taiwan’s international status as part of China.

Secondly, Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, perplexed

by our diplomatic truce with China, will actively

seek their own relations with China, and even if

China postpones establishing diplomatic relations

with them, there will be substantial separation

with Taiwan. Moreover, President Ma’s diplo-

matic truce causes a confusion in distinguishing

enemies or foe among our diplomatic staff and

adversely influences foreign relations expansion.”

Chair Tsai also mentioned that the deportation

of 14 Taiwan nationals by the Philippines to China

show that Taiwan’s strategic role in Asia Pacific is

becoming increasingly blurred. She said this

causes an impact on the international commu-

nity’s understanding of Taiwan and China.



JANUARY 2011

PAGE 5

DPP’s New Year Wish: Create a Vision for Taiwan’s Future

On the first day of work after the Lunar NewYear holidays, DPP Chair Tsai Ing-wen, along

with Secretary-General Su Chia-chuan, sat down

with members of the media to welcome the new

spring.

Chair Tsai presented her expectations as a party

leader for the tasks facing the DPP. She said that

she hoped to see the smooth completion of inter-

nal party management and operations, including

the challenges in the upcoming presidential and

legislative elections. She also said that she hopedthat this year’s nominees for the legislative elec-

tions, chosen with a change in the 2007 primary

system and with a unified party’s backing, will

receive the approval of society.

Chair Tsai announced that, in the upcoming

months, the party will concentrate on the opera-

tions of the new think tank, particularly focusing

on the issues of Taiwan’s wealth gap, fair distribu-

tive justice, Taiwan’s industrial prospects and the

future direction of cross strait affairs.

“The years of the Ma administration have re-

sulted in our young people being unable to find a

direction or a future, and, for this reason, we hope

the think tank will be able to find a path and a fu-

ture vision for Taiwan,” said Chair Tsai.

The DPP additionally plans to launch a reform

proposal for this legislative session, a proposal

which will include reform in the laws governing

finance, national security, government reconstruc-

tion and the 18% preferential interest rate for civil

servants’ pensions, Chair Tsai declared.

DPP announces nomination timeline

At the February 9th Central Standing Committee,

the DPP passed the deadline for completion of

selecting party candidates for the upcoming legis-

lative and presidential elections. The deadline is

April 30.DPP Chair Tsai Ing-wen told the media after

the meeting that the DPP cannot act in an overly

optimistic manner, but must be cautious and pru-

dent in order to combine the power of the entire

party to face these two important election chal-

lenges.

“I hope to see the nomination process for the

legislative and presidential elections go smoothly

to show that the DPP is a mature party, capable of

handling internal competition and meeting theexpectations of society,” Chair Tsai said.

Chair Tsai also declared that this nomination

for legislative elections will place an additional

emphasis on professionalism so that future DPP

legislators will have even greater fighting strength

in the Legislative Yuan.

The Central Standing Committee also decided

that the registration of candidates wishing to par-

ticipate in the legislative elections will run from




JANUARY 2011

PAGE 6

DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

PUBLISHED BY:

Department of InternationalAff airs DemocraticProgressive Party

9F, No. 30, Pei-Ping EastRoad, Taipei, Taiwan

Tel: 886-2-2392-9989 ext. 306

Fax: 886-2-2393-0342

Email: [email protected]

Website:

http://www.dpp.org.tw

DIRECTOR:

Bikhim Hsiao

DEPUTY DIRECTORS:

Hsieh Huai-hui

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:

Michael J. Fonte

EDITOR:

Ping -Ya Hsu

March 8 to 12 at the DPP Headquarters. DPP Spokesperson

Lin You-chang announced that from March 21 to April 8, the

DPP will conduct polling and by end of April, the list of

party candidates will be presented to the public.

...DPP announces nomination timeline

... continued " om the previous pag e

http://www.dpp.org.tw/

http://www.dpp.org.tw/

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

dpp newsletter jan2011

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