dpp newsletter sept2008

8/7/2019 DPP Newsletter Sept2008

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O

A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY THE DPP’S

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Progress

TSAI WELL RECEIVED IN THE US..............1

S EPTEMBER 200 TSAI EXCHANGES VIEWS WITH

DIPLOMATS…………………………………2

MR MA A THREAT TO TAIWAN’SSOVEREIGNTY?.........................................3

Democracy & DPP PROPOSES NEW MEASURES ON

TAINTED CHINESE DAIRY PRODUCTS………4

Chairperson Tsai well-received in the US

In an effort to bolster overseas support for the DPP as well as to formally introduce herself to Washington in her capacity

as party chair, Chairperson Ing-wen Tsai recently departed on a two week trip to the United States. Her journey began

when she was met by oversea supporters upon landing in Kennedy Airport in New York on September 2nd. Her busy

schedule immediately commenced with am series of meetings with academics and scholars in New York, exchanging

views on current Sino-American-Taiwanese relations. Also scheduled were talks to the North American Taiwanese

Medical Association in New Jersey, as well as at her alma mater, Cornell University. Chairperson Tsai also made a stop in

Washington DC where she met with policy experts and discuss the importance of Taiwan-American relations. After

spending a week on the east coast, Chairperson Tsai headed to the west coast to meet with DPP supporters at various

fundraisers in Los Angeles and San Jose.

Chairperson Tsai used the opportunity in America to address recent events not only within both the DPP and the broader

Taiwanese political scene. When reporters pointed out the setbacks experienced by the DPP during the recent elections,

the Chairperson portrayed the situation as a growing process for the young party. According to Chairperson Tsai, the goal

of the DPP now is to ensure that the ruling KMT continually holds the best interests of the people of Taiwan at heart.

Chairperson Tsai also stressed in numerous situations during her trip that the DPP is still the party of the people. Her goals

were not limited to just intra-Taiwanese politics, though, as she exclaimed upon entering America that “the prime aim of

this visit is to exchange views with U.S. experts and Taiwanese expatriates on a wide range of issues, including Taiwan’s

political situation.”



2 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

DEMOCRACY &

PROGRESS

Department of

International Affairs

Democratic Progressive Party

8F, No. 30, Pei-Ping East Rd.

Taipei, Taiwan

t. 886-2-23929989 ext. 306

f. 886-2-23214527

e-mail: [email protected]

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

Director:

Lin Chen-wei

Deputy Director:

Huang Chih-ta

Editor-In-Chief:

Roger Lee Huang

Editor:

Mike Fonte

Staff Writer:

Britt Mercadante

Chairperson Tsai exchanges views with foreign dignitaries

On Friday, September 26th, over 40 foreign dignitaries and diplomats gathered at the

National Taiwan University Hospital International Convention Center to hear a policy

briefing sponsored by the DPP’s Department of International Affairs.

The DPP panel, led by Chairperson Ing-wen Tsai, briefed the diplomats on the current

direction of the DPP. The Chairperson, who was joined on the panel by fellow DPP

members former Minister Fu-mei Chang, former Representative Joseph Wu, Director Lin

Chen-wei, and Special Assistant to the Chairperson Bi-khim Hsiao began the conference

by providing a concise history of the DPP as the torchbearers of “the flame of

democracy” within Taiwan. She then transitioned into an overview of the current state of affairs of the party, as she outlined several difficulties experienced by the party in the last

few years. She emphasized, though, that the DPP would take advantage of this

opportunity as the major opposition party to reflect on its weaknesses in order to convert

them into assets. She then discussed several issues which comprise the focal points of

DPP policy. Some of these included ensuring the sovereign integrity of the nation as well

as maintaining the competitiveness of Taiwan within the global economy.

Chairperson Tsai then gave the floor to Dr. Joseph Wu, former Representative to the

United States, who addressed the current perception of the Ma administration’s

achievements. Wu seized the opportunity to berate the KMT for not only devoting too

much attention to China at the expense of neglecting our friends in the region, but also for

making far too many concessions to China. Even though the Ma administration has

congratulated themselves repeatedly for the thawing of relations between the two nations,

no real tangible benefits have emerged. For example, China once again blocked Taiwan’s

attempt to participate in the United Nations (UN), even though the bid was for

‘meaningful participation’ and not for membership in the UN. Wu concluded his

statements by reiterating that uniting Taiwan was more important now than improving

relations with China, a theme which appeared consistently throughout the briefing.

The panel wrapped up the briefing by opening up the floor to questions. Many took

advantage of this opportunity, as all five DPP representatives were utilized to help clarify

the current DPP policy. They succeeded, through their responses to questions ranging

from the significance of the August 30th

rally to the opinions of the Taiwanese oversea

communities, in illustrating the frustration many Taiwanese feel for the Ma

administration as well as clarifying the goal of the DPP to be a party for the people.

mailto:[email protected]

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

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

mailto:[email protected]



4 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

DPP Proposes New Measures to Deal with Chinese Milk Sc andal

As the Chinese Milk Scandal reaches its second week of existence, the DPP has issued several proposals to help make

amends for those who have suffered in this crisis as well as reduce the chances of a similar one occurring in the future.

The DPP first urged the KMT government to secure a public apology and compensation from China to not only the

victims of melamine-poisoning but also to the companies who have endured severe financial losses as well as a decline

in reputation during this scandal. If China fails to take responsibility for its corrupt actions, then the KMT should forbid

ARATS chief Chen Yunlin, scheduled to visit Taiwan sometime during the next month, from entering into the county.

The DPP further proposed that amendments should be added to two separate food safety laws, the Act Governing Food

Sanitation and the Commodity Labeling Law, to help protect the health of the Taiwanese people. DPP members

specifically called for further transparency within the export business by demanding that a product’s place of origin be

placed in clear view for the consumer to see.

Quest ions or c omm ents? Feel f ree t o

em ai l t hem t o [email protected] w or

dpp fore ign @gm ail .c om

Democracy & Progress is a monthly electronic newsletter published by the Democratic Progressive Party’s Department of International

Affairs. Please note that articles in this publication should not be used as direct quotation unless with the explicit permission from the

editor.

dpp newsletter sept2008

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