dpp newsletter oct2006

8/7/2019 DPP Newsletter Oct2006

1/6

A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY THE DPPS

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

DPP CELEBRATES 20 ANNIVERSARY

The Democratic Progressive Party celebrated its 20th

anniversary with three days of events in Taipei and in

Kaohsiung. Gathered at an evening rally were President Chen Shui-bian, Vice President Lu Hsiu-lian,

Premier Su Tseng-chang, Kaohsiung Mayoral Election Candidate Chen Chu, Taipei Mayoral Election

Candidate Frank Hsieh and DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun.

October 2006DPP CELEBRATES 20

ANNIVERSARY1

DPP RAISES THREE

NOS...............3

THE RISE OF

DEMOCRACY :AFORCE

FOR ENDURING GLOBAL

PEACE........................ 4

democrac &rogress


2/6

2 DEMOCRACY&PROGRESS

DEMOCRACY&PROGRESS

Department of InternationalAffairs

Democratic Progressive Party8F, No. 30, Pei-Ping East Rd.

Taipei, Taiwant. 886-2-23929989 ext. 305

f. 886-2-23214527e-mail: [email protected]

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

DirectorWinston Dang

Editor-in-Chief:Michael Fonte

Editor:

Ping-Ya Hsu

DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun led Kaohsiung supporters to parade on the streets of

Kaohsiung City. Also in the parade were Vice President Lu Hsiu-lian, Kaohsiung

Mayoral Election Candidate Chen Chu and, Premier Su Tseng-chang.

On September 28th

, the Democratic Progressive Party celebratedits 20th anniversary with an opening celebration at the site of the founding

meeting, the Grand Hotel.

Approximately 363 of the original founding members attendedthe occasion.

On September 29, a reception was held for members of theforeign diplomatic community, and the last day of the anniversary

celebrations took place in Kaohsiung City, in the form of a parade andevening rally. More than 300,000 people participated in Kaohsiung,

expressing their support of the DPP and their love of Taiwan.Twenty years ago at the Grand Hotel, members of the former

Outside Party Movement (Tangwai) held a gathering that eventually led

to the founding of the DPP.During this years anniversary celebration, President Chen Shui-

bian, Vice President Lu Hsiu-lian, Premier Su Tseng-chang, Frank Hsieh

and Chen Chu, candidates for Taipei and Kaohsiung mayoral elections,

were present, celebrating this occasion with a spirit of unity anddemocratic reform.

The Taiwan Democratic Youth Union was formally launched onthe first day, in a ceremony that represented passing the torch from the

older generation to the next generation. Thirty-five members of this

newly-formed youth commission swore an allegiance to the party and

their commitment to persist in the ideals of democracy and progress forTaiwan.

President Chen Shui-bian delivered a keynote speech on

September 28, emphasizing the DPP as the party that was born and bredin Taiwanese soil. President Chen said, Taiwan is my mother, Taiwan is
mailto:[email protected]://www.dpp.org.tw/http://www.dpp.org.tw/mailto:[email protected]


3/6

DEMOCRACY&PROGRESS3

thDPP celebrates 20 anniversary

(continued from page 2)

my country.Twenty years ago, during a time that Taiwan was under martial law, party members didnt know

whether they would be imprisoned, but all of them were not afraid and didnt want to hide their resolution topursue the rights of the Taiwanese people, and return to the 23 million Taiwanese people what rightfullybelonged to them, President Chen said.

President Chen recalled the 319 shooting incident in 2004, the day before the presidential election,

and cited a poem written by former chairman Lin I-hsiung.

In March 19, 2004, there was an assassination attempt in Tainan against Vice President Lu andmyself, President Chen said. The previously planned evening campaign rally at the Chun-shan Football

Stadium was cancelled and our beloved former DPP chairman Lin I-hsiung wrote a poem that to this day, I

have not forgotten.

President Chen then recited the poem, which starts by saying Taiwan, my mother, I beg you tobless all our young men and women and our children so that our learning will be as mighty as Jade

Mountain and as gentle as the Pacific Ocean. In pursuing liberty, peace and equality, we can bravely faceup to the challenge and when facing difficulties and frustrations, we will not lose our will to strive.

At the reception for foreign diplomats and representatives, DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun welcomed

members of the international community residing in Taiwan to celebrate with the DPP its 20th anniversary.

Democracy and freedom are both precious assets that Taiwan brings to the rest of the world,Chairman Yu said. In the past, Taiwanese people lived through countless sacrifices and uphill battles.

Establishing the first democracy in Chinese society and completing a peaceful transfer of power, Taiwan is

a prime example of a new Asian developing democracy.In Kaohsiung, the parade was held with the theme, Stand Up Taiwan! in order to encourage all the

people of Taiwan to remember their love for their land, and to celebrate with the DPP its accomplishmentssince its foundation.

During the sunshine splashed parade, Vice President Lu, Premier Su, DPP Chairman Yu and

Kaohsiung Mayoral Election Candidate Chen Chu walked with Kaohsiung citizens and others from around

the island who came to participate. DPP supporters wore all different colors to show that there is no colordifferentiation in Taiwan.

President Chen also attended the Kaohsiung evening rally and delivered an address outlining the

goals of the DPP for the next elections, which were to win the Kaohsiung and Taipei mayoral election,

achieve at least 50 seats in the 2007 legislative election and win the 2008 presidential election.

DPP raises three nosThe Democratic Progressive Party has raised three Nos concerning the latest politicaldevelopments in Taiwan. The first no is that the DPP doesnt support recalling the president. The secondno is that the DPP does not support a cabinet resignation and lastly, the DPP doesnt support a pan-blue

cabinet.

In addition, if the pan-blues are determined to overthrow the cabinet, the DPP will ask PresidentChen to dissolve the legislature.

The DPP believes that Premier Su Tseng-changs has done an outstanding job as premier and theparty firmly stands behind him. The best way to resolve the current political situation is through the legal

process. The DPP urges political parties to work together to dissolve any political conflict.


4/6

The Rise of Democracy: A Force for Enduring Global PeaceDPP Chairman Yu Speech at the Heritage Foundation

Only if Democracy Rises Will There be Peace

Whether Chinas peaceful rise will be an opportunity or a threat has been a topic of heated debate in

international politics. In 2003, China raised the peaceful rise concept, which successfully incited discussionsand visions of a peaceful China. China wanted to tell the world that its rise is not a threat, but a great

opportunity.Nevertheless, this concept contradicts lessons from history. History teaches us that chanting peace will

not actually bring peace itself. A peaceful rise can only be a slogan or a viewpoint, but cannot bring the

actual realization of peace. In todays world, in order to have actual peace, democracy must stand as thefoundation. Therefore, a democratic rise is the biggest assurance of peace. China must have a rise of

democracy in order to become a responsible stakeholder.

Past international experiences show us that a burgeoning power, unless it is a democratic country, mustinevitably change the rules of the actual game. During the early part of the 20th century, the United States,Germany and Japan were considered rising powers at that time. Subsequently, we saw that in Germany and

Japan, ideas of Nazism and militarism emerged, yet the United States played a model role in stabilizing the

world, mainly because of democracy.The only way China will ever become a responsible stakeholder in the world is by rising democratically.

Otherwise, peaceful rise is only a pretty slogan. In their day, the ideas of Nazism and militarism involved

traits such as strong feelings of nationalism, fanatical desire for establishing national socialism, agitation of themasses for power politics, denying of individualism, extreme fervor and celebration, and infatuated worship of

figureheads. All these traits resemble those seen in todays China. A China that rises without democracy,

where its people live under one-party totalitarian control, is very likely to bring a threat of war and conflict.

Taiwans Democracy is under Threat

Taiwan has moved out of the shadow of the past authoritarian rule of the KMT to become today a

democratic country. Although this was a difficult journey, the Taiwanese people are immeasurably proud ofthis accomplishment. For a hundred years now, the Taiwanese people have yearned for democracy and

freedom. Step by step they were finally able to rid themselves of the KMTs authoritarian regime. Restrictions

on political parties and the media were loosened, and the full election of all members of the legislatureconverted it into a new, authentic body, which truly represents the people of Taiwan. In 1996, we were able to

hold Taiwans first direct presidential election.

Representing the Democratic Progressive Party, Chen Shui-bian was victoriously elected president in theyear 2000. With this triumph, we achieved a peaceful transition of government power, and besides maintaining

social stability and economic prosperity, we moved a step forward in establishing a neutral military thatunderstands its loyalty is to the country, not one political party. We also maintained social and economic

sustainable development, and we ensured a deepened protection for civic, democratic and human rights. In2004, with the peoples affirmation, the DPP was re-elected to govern for a second term and continued to work

assiduously to strengthen and deepen Taiwans democracy.

As you know, it is quite natural that in the third wave of democratization, there are strong reactionsfrom those who used to hold power. In Taiwans case there is a unique circumstance, namely that even though

the KMT stepped down from the presidency, the former KMT influence still dominates the legislature. Even

with a presidential victory, the DPP government is unable to govern effectively and, when the DPP tried to

push several reform packages, the DPP administration faced, and continues to face, considerable obstruction.

DEMOCRACY&PROGRESS4


5/6

5 DEMOCRACY&PROGRESS



Presently, the biggest difference between the ruling party and the opposition parties when it comes tonational policy concerns the sovereignty issue and China. The DPP believes that Taiwan is a sovereign and

independent country and the KMT believes that Taiwan is a part of China. The DPP prioritizes democracy

while the KMT emphasizes Chinese nationalism. When it comes to Taiwans future, the DPP bases it on

Western expectations, standing on the side of Western democratic countries.Meanwhile, the KMT completelybases Taiwans future on Chinas expectations. The DPP positions its China policy within the larger context of

Asia-Pacific strategy. The KMT positions its foreign policy for Taiwan within the context of its own China

policy. This is the main reason why the DPP supports the strengthening of US-Japan alliance, while the KMTchooses to keep the U.S. and China equidistant.

Earlier this year, KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou came up with Five Nos and Five Dos. In brief, his

standpoint makes no mention of national sovereignty, much less democratic values, and tries its best to pleaseChina for supposedly preserving cross strait stability. I personally consider his standpoint as a temporary

band-aid for trouble because if we do not actively advance Chinas democratization, cross strait stability is

unlikely to happen and conflict can be anticipated.

If the KMT were to win in 2008, I forecast confidently that the KMT leader will most likely adopt apolicy of equilibrium between the U.S. and China, thus weakening Taiwan-Japan relations. Not only will there

be a tilt towards China, but democracy in Taiwan will experience the same as in Hong Kong where the

democratic forces have suffered.

The Truth about Chinas Rise

I believe that, as a burgeoning country that moved from authoritarianism to democracy, Taiwan is a

significant model of democratic achievement. This is not only a source of great pride, but it is also our biggest

asset. Taiwan is the first democracy within a Chinese society context, and the one most likely to influenceChinas democratic development.

International democracies are associating with China, but they have also urged economic maturity with

democratic implementation. Chinas opening economically did not bring about the opening of democracy. Wecan see that in Hong Kong, freedom of expression is fundamentally fading. Its promise to let the people of

Hong Kong choose their leader in 2007 is unlikely, and undeniably, Hong Kongs democracy has stepped

back. Taiwans experience shows that a gradually growing non-democratic power like China, with very

different fundamental values, will try to twist the functional normalcy of the democratic system.There are many examples that illustrate these circumstances. China has invested in Taiwans media, thus

affecting the medias perspective. Compelled by pressure, Taiwanese businessmen are forced to change

political stands, and Taiwanese scholars have refrained from commenting in opinion pieces to avoid beenbanned from research pursuits in China. They have isolated the DPP government and engaged with the

opposition parties in order to divide Taiwan internally. Opposition party leaders such as former KMT

Chairman Lian Chan and PFP Chairman James Soong didnt dare talk about Taiwans sovereignty, use thename of their own country, or mention democracy and freedom while they visited Beijing. China has

demanded that American companies like Yahoo and Google track internal Internet use in Taiwan, attempting

to crackdown on freedom of expression in Taiwan.Taiwans experience shows that, as a superpower without democracy with an authoritarian government

structure, China will attempt to use its economic power to damage the normal functioning of another

democratic country. If China has been able to influence Taiwan, it is also capable of exerting influence into

other countries.


6/6



I believe that this kind of Chinese influence can be countermanded by a US established DemocraticAlliance.

Taiwan stands at the front line of conflict between maritime democracies and continental non-

democracies. Chinas suppression of Taiwan affects all democratic forces. If Taiwan takes a pro-China

approach, not only does the power-balance in the region face a great challenge but also the security anddevelopment of all democratic forces are affected.

Faced with Chinas 800 missiles pointed at us, and the growing imbalance of military forces across the

Strait in Chinas favor, Taiwan must strengthen its defenses, raise its defense budget, prepare better self-defense weapons, and fortify our determination to preserve our democracy and sovereignty. However, with our

democratic values firmly in place, we must strive by whatever means possible to press forward Chinas

democratization because only if China democratizes will it become a responsible stakeholder, will there bepeace in Asia and the world, will democratic Taiwan be secure.

The World Must Support Democratic Taiwan

To cite the great German philosopher, Immanuel Kant, Perpetual Peace is achieved through democracyand a republican constitution. I have absolute faith that through the expansion of freedom and democracy, the

world may really embrace peace and flourish. I would like to say again, democracy in Taiwan was not easily

achieved and it is subjected to great threats! Taiwan is at the forefront of bringing democratic change intoChina. Consolidating democracy in Taiwan is the key to expanding democracy in Asia. Confident that Taiwan

is an asset in the enlargement of democracy, the international community should give its strongest support toTaiwan, especially when as it faces Chinas threats and the crisis this is causing.

Today, standing at the crossroads of war and history is not China, but the rest of the free and democratic

countries. The problem is not whether China itself will choose the road of democracy, but whether otherdemocratic members of society, with the US in the lead, will take the responsibility for guiding the 1.3 billion

Chinese people as they strive for freedom and human rights, choosing the road of freedom and democracy and

thus moving the world toward peace.As part of the democratic world, I believe that Taiwan can contribute to democratic enlargement. I hope

that one day the 1.3 billion people in China are able to enjoy democratic rights, just as many exerted their

efforts for Taiwan many years ago.

Today, I raise the concept, Chinas Democratic Rise in the hopes of letting our democratic friendsaround the world know that advancing democracy should be the key point in the China policy of every

country. Without a democratic China, democratic Taiwan will not be secure. Only if democracy rises will there

truly be a peaceful rising.Let us all have faith in the power of democracy! Together, lets work for global peace!

DEMOCRACY&PROGRESS6

Let us have faith in the power of

democracy! Together, lets work for

global peace!

- DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun

dpp newsletter oct2006

Documents