dpp newsletter may2013

7/28/2019 DPP Newsletter May2013

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DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

DPP holds National Party Congress with New Green Politics, Taiwan Up! as theme

The DPP held a National Party Congress onMay 25 with the theme of New Green Politics,Taiwan Up!

DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang said that having at-tended many party congresses, he was happy tosee the attendance this time by many partici-

pants, each respecting the different opinionswithin the party, and lastly using the democraticmethod of voting to exercise the partysdecision-making.

The DPP is already employing realistic actions

to practice democracy and to live under ademocratic lifestyle, he said.

Below are further remarks by Chair Su:

There are two major challenges that the DPPwill face in the upcoming period. First, this year we must promote the public to vote on the ref-erendum to stop construction on the Fourth Nu-clear Power Plant. Second, in 2014, we will becampaigning for the 7-in-1 elections. I hope thatall our colleagues can combine our forces to-gether to exert all our efforts in standing to-


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gether with the people. I hope that the peoplegive us their strengths to continue our green andquality governance.

This past week, Taiwan has seen plenty of rain, but today, as we hold a National Party Congress,we saw a clear sky, just like 26 years ago, havinggone through 28 years of Martial Law, with theefforts of many of our fellow members, we endedthe ban on political party formation and the DPPwas founded. We faced our first elections threeyears later in 1989, participating in the first localcounty and city elections and achieving six seatstotal. Afterwards, the DPP was deeply rooted andgrowing its representatives in townships, even atthe Legislative Yuan. In 1997, the DPP garnered12 seats in the county governor and city mayoralelections, leading to winning the presidentialelection of the year 2000.

I would like to thank all the Taiwanese peoplefor giving opportunities to the DPP. The DPP hasworked hard, but just like the weather these days,there are rainy times. The DPP has enjoyed theglory of success as well as the pains of failure.However, just like success, failure makes indi-viduals grow, and for the DPP, this has been alearning process.

Even though the DPP has six seats in county and

city government, and it is in opposition at theLegislative Yuan, we have not lost our fightingspirit. The performance from our county gover-nors and city mayors has been excellent. Our leg-islators have received good reviews from allkinds of mediums. From the assurance given bythe public to the DPP, we can see that green gov-ernance is a guarantee on quality.

Upcoming, there are two major battles the DPPwill face. First, we must promote our standpointconcerning the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant. Ac-cording to the referendum law, at least 9 million

people must vote on it to become valid. On onehand, the DPP Legislative Caucus will push a bill

banning the use of nuclear power and amend a birdcage referendum law; and on another hand,the DPP will exert all its efforts in mobilizing the

people nationwide to stand against nuclear power so that more than 74% of the public can step outand achieve a victory in the referendum to beheld at the end of this year.

Our second major task will be the 7-in-1 elec-tion in 2014, which will also include elections for mayor of townships, city councilors, etc. Today,we have many issues to discuss at this party con-gress and most of them are related to this upcom-ing election. It is imperative that the DPP start itsearly planning, especially implementing a flexi-

ble endorsement system. It is important thateveryone can work together. Like the DPP

before, we must start from the grassroots in

order to win majority at the LegislativeYuan and the presidential elections in 2016.

We are all from the same party and we allhave pledged allegiance to this green flag. Ilook forward to seeing everyone givingtheir hardest to stand together with the peo-

ple. Lets give the people the guarantee of our quality green government and be ableto achieve a victory!


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On May 20 this month, the nation saw the fifthyear in office for President Ma Ying-jeou. Chair Su Tseng-chang held a press conference to goover his past performance, and to give his admini-stration eight suggestions, hoping that they canstop the waste of resources and promote Taiwans

progress.

First, we request stopping construction on theFourth Nuclear Power Plant:From numerous public surveys, we can see thatmore than 50% of the Taiwanese population will

participate in the referendum, and those that support ending construction on the power plant sur- pass 80%. Public opinion regarding this issue isvery clear, and we hope that President Ma imme-diately puts a stop to the construction of the

Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, stopping the wasteof administrative resources, turning around andfocusing on the economy and fulfilling the expec-tations from the people.

Second, we demand the government to make areview of the economy and to issue a long-termeconomy recovery plan:The economy is recovering globally. The mostimportant phase for Taiwan is to immediately en-gage in an overall economic review, includingindustry sectors, human resources and nationalcompetitiveness, evaluating the quality of life andthe need for readjustments and lastly, producing along-term economy recovery plan.

Third, we want a focus on high quality educa-tion and to accomplish the 12-year compulsoryeducation system:The highest priority of the government should beto implement the 12-year compulsory educationsystem. The first major task would be to raise the

quality of high school education, which wouldgrant fair education nationwide and reduce defi-ciencies as well as raise the competitiveness of our future workforce.

Fourth, we demand reform in retirement bene-fits:

Our pension reform system cannot be delayed anylonger because our current debt stands at 15 tril-lion. This is not fair, and much more, this cannot

be sustained. We are requesting a system that can be managed in the future, ensuring that fairness istaken as a guiding principle. We are willing tocollectively shoulder the responsibility and to co-operate between different parties as well as withthe participation from different sectors of societyin order to create a retirement system that is fair

for all.

Fifth, we request a 10 Year Plan:In 2007, the government had initiated a 10 year

plan, in which the necessary budget and allocationhad all been drafted, but after the change in gov-ernment, the plan was shelved and substitutedwith a long-term insurance plan. Now the peopleof Taiwan are getting older and the most basictask in these ten years is to provide elderly care,so we are asking the government to review thereasons for delay and to immediately start the

process of assisting the elderly in need.

Six, we ask the executive power to conduct anew review on urban planning:Taiwans sustainable development is extremelyimportant, and the administrative division must bereadjusted at once. We saw that before 2010, Tai-wan had two municipalities and 23 counties/cities. For political reasons, President Mas ad-ministration finished an urban planning renewal,

President Mas Fifth Year in O f ce: Stop the Waste of Resources, Promote Taiwans

Progress, DPPs Eight Suggestions


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in which after 2014, Taiwan will be under 6 mu-nicipalities and 16 counties/cities. We believe thedifferences between the urban and rural areas will

become even greater, and the allocation of re-

sources will be too imbalanced.

Seven, we demand this administration to ad-dress corruption seriously and implement ju-dicial reform:This approach is most necessary for governmentsto win the trust of the people and to gain credibil-ity. Over the years, the publics distrust of the ju-diciary has reached to more than 70%. We ask thegovernment to immediately sweep out corruption,

reform the judiciary in order to maintain credibil-ity of the government and to regain the peoplestrust.

Eight, we ask the government to revive foreignrelations and strengthen national defense:In these past years, we have seen the country em-

ploying a diplomatic truce strategy in its for-

eign relations, and we have also seen the weaken-ing of our national defense. We demand thestrengthening of our national defense in order for Taiwan to possess its own self-defense capabili-ties so that the people can feel protected living athome.

In regards to Taiwan high-ranking retired generals

returned visits to China, DPP spokesperson LinChun-hsien criticized the ambivalence of Presi-dent Ma, who is the armys highest commander.

According to Mr. Lin, the generals were also keymembers of President Mas rally group during the2012 re-election campaign.

Mr. Lin called for Ma to be responsible and makeclear his administrations standpoints, especially

in denouncing and punishing the visits to China by Taiwanese retired generals, whose visits could jeopardize national security.

Mr. Lin said that by planning to visit some of Chinas most important military institutes, includ-ing the Central Military Commission, GeneralStaff Department and the Peoples LiberationArmy Beijing Command, these retirees have

breached the acceptable non-government interac-

tions standards. A recent report by the US De-

partment of Defense pointed out the continuous

threat of China to Taiwan.

It is concerning especially this would not harbor good feelings for our hard-fighting soldiers whenseeing that their previous superiors are beingcourted by a national enemy Mr. Lin said.

Mr. Lin further indicated that it would be alsoharmful to their own image as well as to thearmys morale when Taiwan retired generals be-

have against the expectations of the people inTaiwan given that they were well-paid in their

positions and continue to be generously pensioned by taxpayers money.

DPP denounces visits by Taiwan retiredgenerals to China


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DPP Chair Su Tseng - changs remarks atover the shooting incident by the Philip -

pines Coast Guard of a Taiwanese sherman

In regards to our country grant-ing the government of the Philip-

pines 72 hours to respond over the May 9 shooting by the Phil-ippine Coast Guard of the Tai-wanese fishing boat, resulting in

the death of a Taiwanese fisher-man, Chair Su Tseng-chang reit-erated that the DPP fully supportsPresident Mas Administration indemanding the Philippine gov-ernment to uncover the real cul-

prits, issue an apology, providecompensation and initiate nego-tiation over fishing rights.

Chair Su also appealed PresidentMas administration to strengthensea rescue mechanisms, and paycloser attention to sea defensessince the defense budget has

been severely cut in the recentyears.

Chair Su said he believes that thePhilippine Coast Guard unrea-

sonably shot the Taiwanese fish-ing boat, killing a Taiwanese na-tional. Upon first instance, heimmediately issued, on behalf of the DPP, his support of PresidentMa on this issue.

Even though we are an opposi-tion party, but in this instance,our views towards the external

world are one, he said.

Chair Su said he wishes to offer suggestions to President Ma onhow to deal with this kind of in-cident. He said that firstly, thegovernment must strengthennormal sea rescue mechanisms

because as seen in this case, theemergency response from thegovernment was too late, and fur-ther reflection is needed in theregular training of sea rescuemechanisms. On the second sug-gestion, Chair Su said that in therecent years, the government hasseverely cut the national defense

budget, leaving deficiencies in

the normal activities of the navyand the coast guard. He lastlyurged President Mas Admin-istration to increase the budgetfor its maritime defense in order to guarantee the countrys na-tional interests and to ensure our sovereignty.

Chair Su also appealed the gov-

ernment of the Philippines toimmediately offer their explana-tions to Taiwan, using dialogueand peace to resolve this issue.He also urged the Philippinegovernment to assume their re-sponsibility over this incident inorder to satisfy the collective in-terests of the people from bothcountries.

After the Central Standing

Committee meeting on May 15,Chair Su said that the Philip-

pines government response hasleft many in Taiwan very unsatis-fied, especially over the lack of sincerity in its apology without

offering specifics over compen-sation.

He said that he wanted to empha-size that the long-term relation-ship between the people of thePhilippines and Taiwan have

been very friendly and close, in-cluding trade, tourism and work-ers exchange. He appealed the

people of Taiwan not to take anyunfriendly actions towards Phil-ippine nationals residing in Tai-wan.

However, when we deal withthe government of the Philip-

pines, we must stand strong inour demands because this inci-dent was carried out by an offi-

cial of the Philippine govern-ment, and we must ask them tooffer an explanation so that thevictims family and the rest of theTaiwanese people can have clo-sure, he said.


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On May 9, the DPPs held its first China AffairsCommittee Meeting. Chair Su Tseng-chang deliv-ered the meetings opening remarks. Also presentwere Committee Members Frank Hsieh (Former Premier) You Shyi-kun (Former Premier); TsaiIng-Wen (Former DPP Chair); Ker Chian-ming(DPP Legislative Caucus Convener); Chen Chu(Greater Kaohsiung Mayor); Lai Ching-teh(Greater Tainan Mayor); Chiu Yi-ren (Former Na-tional Security Advisor); and Wu Nai-ren (Former DPP Secretary-General).

Below are the remarks made by Chair Su Tseng-chang:

This is the first meeting held by the DPPs ChinaAffairs Committee. I would like to take this op-

portunity to thank the members of the DPP Cen-tral Standing Committee for their approval and toall the China Affairs Committee members for their willingness to participate. This also includesthe staff and other members for their involvementin the preparation months before and leading totoday.

Sitting here together today, the objective beforeus is very clear, and the responsibility is im-

mense. What we must do is to protect Taiwanscore values, to develop the best benefits for Tai-wan, and we must also find the largest consensusfor our future in the cross straits. For a long pe-riod of time, China has placed Taiwan in a veryclear framework with a definite agenda, and theyhave set out step by step to fulfill this plan. Thishas caused the China factor to enter and exertgreater influence on Taiwan. Facing China, wemust enthusiastically build our self-confidence,

but facing up to Chinas set agenda, Taiwan can-

not afford to remain passive. We must convert passiveness into initiative, and outside of Chinasframework, we must take the initiative and issueour own topics into an agenda that should beTaiwan-focused. This must be done in order toreduce the interference and influence that Chinahas on Taiwan. We also wish to strengthen Tai-wans space for its own decision-making.

As we have already held many preparations anddiscussions with experts and academics from dif-ferent fields, leading to todays first meeting, wehave issued a Taiwans China Agenda . This is anew type of framework and thinking involving:how to persist and make the Taiwan Dream a re-ality, how to open a new order for cross strait in-teraction and how to contribute to regional stabil-ity and peace. This is not something that can beaccomplished by one person or political partyalone. This requires that Taiwan entirely faces upto this serious issue.

For this reason, our goal in creating the ChinaAffairs Committee is to provide a platform of dia-logue and understanding, inviting everyone to

participate instead of limiting it to inside the partyonly. We have also invited mayors and governors

from cities and counties, legislators and opinionleaders. We also wish to include the power of so-ciety to engage the public in discussion in order to create the greatest force for Taiwan to meetChina and to welcome the rest of the world.

Once again, I would to express my deepest grati-tude to everyone for their involvement in thistask.

Executive Director of the DPPs Policy Research

DPP holds rst China A airs CommitteeMeeting, announces complete list of mem -

bers


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Committee, Dr. Joseph Jaushieh Wu said that inorder to combine the force of civic society, after seeking advice from a multitude of sources, 37experts have agreed to take part in the DPPs

China Affairs Committee.

The additional members of the Committee in-clude:

Professor Chen Ming-tong ( ), Na-tional Taiwan University, Graduate Instituteof National Development;Research Fellow Shih Jun-ji ( ), Aca-demia Sinica, Research Center for Humani-ties and Social Sciences;

Assistant Professor Tsai Hung-Jeng (), National Sun Yat-Sen University, De- partment of Sociology;Assistant Professor York W. Chen ( ),Tamkang University Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies,who will also act as the convener for the Po-litical, Economic, Social and SecurityGroup;Former Legislator Lin Cho-shui ( );

Former Legislator Chiu Tai-san ( );Research Fellow David W.F. Huang (

) Academia Sinica, Institute of Europeanand American Studies;Associate Professor Tung Li-Wen ( ),Central Police University, Department of Public Security;Lai I-chung ( ), Taiwan Thinktank,Member of the Executive Committee;Distinguished Professor Tung Chen-yuan

( ), National Chengchi University,Graduate Institute of Development Studies;Professor Chiou Jiunn-Rong ( ), Na-tional Central University, Department of Economics;Professor Su Jain-Rong ( ), NationalTaipei University, Department of Public Fi-nance;Associate Professor Tao Yi-feng ( ),

National Taiwan University, Department of

Political Science;Professor Lee Ming-Chun ( ), Taiwan

Society of International Law, Secretary Gen-eral;Associate Professor Wu Chih-chung (

), Soochow University, Department of Po-

litical Science;Former Veteran Affairs Commission Minis-ter Hu Chen-pu ( );Professor Tsai Ming-yen ( ), NationalChung-Hsing University, Graduate Instituteof International Politics;Assistant Professor Chiu Chui-cheng (

), National Quemoy University, Depart-ment of International and Mainland ChinaAffairs;

Professor Huang-chih Chiang ( ), Na-tional Taiwan University, College of Law;andProfessor Ming-sho Ho ( ) NationalTaiwan University, Department of Sociol-ogy.

Spokesperson for the Committee, Mr. ChengWen-tsang, said that among the 37 experts, their combined areas of knowledge include political,

economic, financial, civic, international affairs,defense and human rights. He also added that inthe group, the list also includes former govern-ment officials as well as Chinese nationals whoare experts on Chinas political conditions andwho are willing to provide their assistance inTaiwans China policy formulation.

Director of the DPPs China Affairs Department,Mr. Honigmann Hong said that the DPP did not

release the full list of names because some par-ticipants were unwilling to have their names and

positions be known to the public, but they weremore than willing to provide their knowledge inChina policy formulation.

Nevertheless, Mr. Hong said that in the future, if there are new members added to the list, the DPPwill release them to the public upon permission

by these members.


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On May 28, DPP Representative to Washington,D.C. Dr. Joseph Wu and Director of the Depart-ment for International Affairs Shih-chung Liumade a press announcement regarding the up-coming visit by Chair Su Tseng-chang to the U.S.and Canada.

Dr. Wu announced that there were three major goals for Chair Sus trip to the Americas this

time. He said the first reason was to promote for-eign relations between members of congress sincethere will be a chance for Chair Su to interactwith US members of Congress from both theHouse and Senate. On June 12, there will be awelcome reception at the US Congress. On June13, Chair Su will speak at a join-session organ-ized by the Brookings Institution and the Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS). Chair Su will also meet with members of the Canadian

parliament.

The second purpose of this trip, Dr. Wu said, wasto strengthen the friendship between Taiwan andthe U.S. On June 14, Chair Su will host the inau-guration reception of the newly-opened DPP Rep-resentative Office in the U.S. The setting up of this office is the realization of the campaign

promise made by Chair Su when he ran for thechair position, and it also represents the DPPs

commitment to strengthening relationship be-tween both sides, Dr. Wu said.

Dr. Wu further added the third purpose of thisoverseas visit, which is to garner the support of overseas Taiwanese. In every city where it is

planned for Chair Su to visit, there will be wel-coming receptions hosted by overseas supporters.

In regards to the media inquiry on whether the

trip was planned to coincide with Chinas leader

Xi Jinpings visit to the U.S., Mr. Liu replied thatthe preparations for this trip has been taking placefor over six months already. He further clarifiedthat the timing for this trip was meant to coincidewith the first anniversary of Chair Sus chairman-ship as well as recent appointments made by USPresident Obama of new officials in charge of Asian Pacific affairs.

Chair Su plans to depart on June 8 to Los Ange-les, visit New York on June 9, Houston on June10, and in Washington, D.C. from June 11 to 14.On June 15, the delegation will arrive at Toronto,Canada and on June 16 to Vancouver. The delega-tion will return on June 18 to Taiwan. Delegatesof the trip include Former Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Council Mr. An-tonio Chiang, Dr. Joseph Wu, Mr. Shih-chungLiu, Director of the Secretariat Mr. Chang Yu-ren

and Director of the Survey Center Mr. WuHsiang-jung.

Chair Su Tseng - chang plans U.S., Canada trip


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DEMOCRACY &

PROGRESS

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dpp newsletter may2013

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