DPP NEWSLETTER

sO 

 2008 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER


SPECIAL EDITION:
Taiwan’s Democracy and Human Rights Face Crisis
 “DPP HUMAN RIGHTS HANDBOOK”
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY THE DPP’S
DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

DEMOCRACY &
PROGRESS
Department of
“DPP HUMAN RIGHTS HAND BOOK” (page 1)
International Affairs
Democratic Progressive Party

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

Taipei, Taiwan
t. 886-2-23929989 ext. 306
f. 886-2-23930342
e-mail: foreign@dpp.org.tw
web: http://www.dpp.org.tw
DPP NEWS
1. DPP’s critics on “Three Links”
DPP acknowledged that the “Three Links” policy made cross-Strait exchanges more
convenient, but it also brought risk… “We will now focus its supervision on whether there
are any asymmetries arising from cross-Strait exchanges and if Taiwan’s economy is in
danger of becoming marginalized or regressing into a tributary state” said DPP
Spokeperson Chen Wen-tsan... <See page 7 for more detail>

2. DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen expressed her solidarity to Dalai Lama and
Tibetans
Director: “While other countries may fail to welcome or even rebuke the Dalai Lama based on
their national interests, this is not the case for Taiwan. We sympathize with those
Lin Chen-wei countries that are suppressed, mistreated and marginalized in the international
community because Taiwan faces the same difficulties. Thus, the Ma government’s
suppression of the Dalai Lama is particularly unacceptable”…
Deputy Director: <See page 8 for more detail>
Huang Chih-ta
3. DPP on Taiwan economy: Job creation first!<See page 8 for more detail>
Editor-In-Chief:
4. An open letter from Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen: “Why Chen Yunlin is not
Hsiaoching Liu
welcome in Taiwan?” <See page 9 for more detail>

Editor:
Mike Fonte
DPP Polls
Staff Writer:
1. October 2008 Survey
James Chen
Britt Mercadante 2. “2008 China’s Public Image in Taiwan”
2 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

DPP HUMAN RIGHTS HAND BOOK

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN TAIWAN
BACKGROUND………………………….………………………………………………….page 1

EROSION OF THE RULE OF LAW….……………………………………………………page 2

1. “Investigative” Detention (押人取供)

2. Violation of Principle of Non-Disclosure and Trial By Media

3. Selective Investigation And Prosecution (選擇性辦案)

4. Political Interference In the Judicial Process

WHAT’S NEXT? ………………………….………………………………………………….page 5

BACKGROUND

The political landscape in Taiwan has changed considerably since President Ma Ying-jeou was inaugurated six
months ago with his party, the Kuomintang (KMT), already holding nearly 75% of the seats in the legislature.

Despite the triumphs heralded by the mainstream international media of a picture of “stabilized and cooperative
relations between Taiwan and China and peaceful development across Taiwan Strait”, the policies initiated by the
new Ma administration- and particularly his precipitous slide towards China- are actually worrying many Taiwanese.

When people
Democracy saw the tightconcept
is a revolutionary police cordons, ironevery
that allows barricades, rampant
citizen the cases
freedom to make choices- choices regarding their
of police
country’s brutality
leader, and illegitimate
the social interrogation,
welfare system, as well
trade policy, as confiscation
environmental of
protection, foreign relations, or in other words,
the the national
choice flag, for athose
to determine who way
people’s livedofthrough
life. Taiwan’s 38 years of martial
law old anxieties and fears resurfaced. Young people, used to political
freedom
However, and freedom
under the currentof speech, were shocked.
KMT government’s When regarding
policies the Ma government
our economy, foreign affairs and defense, the
refused people
Taiwanese to respond to the
feel that theyvoices of thetheir
are losing people, public
right to emotion
participate andescalated
determine their own future. This is not simply a
intofor
choice anger, which in turn
“independence” led topart
or being a number
of China,of but
conflicts
more and altercations
importantly, it’s a choice between living in a free and
betweennation,
democratic the police
or anand protestors communist one.
authoritarian,

As a result, when Ma insisted on inviting Mr. Chen Yunlin, China’s highest official in charge of relations with Taiwan to
our country, this, together with the impact on Taiwan’s economy of the international financial crisis, has contributed to
his popularity declining from a high of over 70% to approximately 24%. The dismay over Ma’s policies was clearly
expressed at two large-scale peaceful protest rallies, one on August 30th and one on October 25th of this year, with
Sun-Raise record store incident
the latter seeing over 500,000 citizens participating.
When
It should beChen
notedYunlin was at demonstrations
that these the dinner reception hosted
were bytoKMT
calls leaders
protect at the Ambassador
Taiwan’s sovereigntyHotel
and on November
address the 5, a
economic
needsnearby
of ourrecord
peoplestore (“Sun-Raise
– they were notRecords”) was playing
calls to overthrow thesome
dulyTaiwanese songs out loud.
elected government The policeMa.
of President broke As
intoathat
party, the
record
DPP has store without
rigorously stoodpermission of owner and
by our Constitution without
and a search warrant, asked the store owner to stop the music, and
its procedures.
pulled down the store’s gate with such a force that it broke.

1
3 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

FREEDOMS OF SPEECH AND FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY UNDER THREAT

(At the protests, people held flags and banners with the slogans: “One Taiwan, One China”, “23 million Taiwanese decide
future of Taiwan”, and “Head of Region Ma”. They also tied yellow ribbons, which contained the slogan “Taiwan is my
country” on them, on trees, their heads, and their waists.)

On the day (November 6) Ma Ying-jeou received Chen Yunlin at Taipei Guest House, over 100,000 people came out
to the street for the “Yellow Ribbon Action” rally. People wanted to show Mr. Chen that “Taiwan is my country” - not
part of his. Like other demonstrations around the world, whether against globalization or for a free Tibet, people
turned out in T-shirts, held up our banners and flags, and shouted slogans. However, people soon realized that t he
security measures implemented to “protect” Chen Yunlin, including 7,000 police and concertina wire string throughout
Taipei, were draconian.

When people saw the tight police cordons, iron barricades, rampant cases of
police brutality and illegitimate interrogation, as well as confiscation of the
national flag, for those who lived through Taiwan’s 38 years of martial law old
anxieties and fears resurfaced. Young people, used to political freedom and
freedom of speech, were shocked. When the Ma government refused to
respond to the voices of the people, public emotion escalated into anger,
which in turn led to a number of conflicts and altercations between the police
and protestors.

Sun-Raise record store incident

When Chen Yunlin was at the dinner reception hosted by KMT leaders at the Ambassador Hotel on November 5, a
nearby record store (“Sun-Raise Records”) was playing some Taiwanese songs out loud. The police broke into that
record store without permission of owner and without a search warrant, asked the store owner to stop the music, and
pulled down the store’s gate with such a force that it broke.
First, in accordance with the due process of law, the principle of innocent until
proven guilty and writ of habeas corpus, detentions should be the last resort for
investigators. However, prosecutors have recently tried to gain confessions
through arrests. While one or two of the accused have been formally charged, the
2
majority are being held incommunicado without being charged.

In Governor Su’s case, she was not even formally notified by the prosecutor
regarding the investigation into her case. She was just arrested and placed in
“investigative detention” one morning on her way to work.
4 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS
EROSION OF THE RULE OF LAW

In addition to the threats to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech, as well as the loss of any checks and
balance in the government, Taiwan faces an even more serious challenge: the erosion of the rule of law. The iron
rule of any true democracy, that the judicial system be impartial and not under the thumb of the ruling party, has been
badly damaged by the current administration.

Over the past several months, several former and incumbent DPP officials have been accused of corruption without
clear evidence being presented or charges filed, and were held incommunicado in detention for the purpose of
investigation and forced confessions.

Specific case of concerns:

(From left to right: Chiou I-Jen, Chen Min-wen, Yu Cheng-hsien, Su Chih-fen, Chen Shui-bian)

z The arrest and detention on October 15th of Yu Cheng-hsien, former Interior Minister
z The arrest and detention on October 27th of James Lee, former Hsinchu Science Park Director
z The arrest and detention on October 29th of Chen Ming-wen, DPP Chiayi County Magistrate
z The arrest and detention on October 31st of Chiou I-jen, former National Security Council
Secretary-general
z The arrest and detention on November 4th of Ms. Su Chih-fen, DPP Yunlin County Magistrate
z The arrest and detention on November 12th of former president Chen Shui-bian.

The violation of fundamental principles of the rule of law by prosecutors has caused hard feelings, anxieties and
doubt in the Taiwanese public as well as drawing concern from international society and human rights organizations,
such as Freedom House.

1. “Investigative” Detention (押人取供)

First, in accordance with the due process of law, the principle of innocent
until proven guilty and writ of habeas corpus, detentions should be the last
resort for investigators. However, prosecutors have recently tried to gain
confessions through arrests. While one or two of the accused have been
formally charged, the majority are being held incommunicado without being
charged.

In Governor Su’s case, she was not even formally notified by the prosecutor
regarding the investigation into her case. She was just arrested and placed
in “investigative detention” one morning on her way to work.

In Taiwan law, only when defendents might possibly commit suicide, engage
in violent behavior and seek to escape, do handcuffs become necessary.
Moreover, related regulations note that the police should be aware of the
possible negative impact the image of handcuffs may bring to a
defendant’s social reputation, and thus the police should try not to let the
handcuffs be exposed to the public. However, former President Chen was
handcuffed without legitimate and sufficient evidence and led away in public
for detention. Governor Chen has been held in “investigative detention” for
almost a month, but so far, he has never been summoned by the
prosecutors for an investigation
3
5 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

2. Violation of Principle of Non-Disclosure and Trial By Media

According to Taiwan law, the prosecutors should never disclose the methods, direction, process, and status of an
investigation to the public, nor should they release any information concerning the privacy and reputation of the
suspects. However, during the investigation of these cases, the prosecutors have constantly violated the principle of
non-disclosure by selectively revealing details of the case to the media, thus transforming the case into a
trial-by-media.

Here are some few examples:

z October 17, 2008, the Special Investigative Unit searched Chinatrust Financial Holding, Yuan-da Financial
Holding, China-Development Financial Holding and Mega Holding. But before the search started, the media was
already waiting in front of the Chinatrust Financial Holding office building.

z One day before Chiayi County Magistrate Chen Ming-wen’s home was searched by the prosecutor (Oct. 2,
2008),DPP
one ofProposes New Measures
the KMT councilors to Deal
revealed that Chen’s with
house Chinese
would Milk
be searched soon.Scandal

z August 14, 2008, a KMT legislator publicized Ms. Huang Jui-ching’s (wife of former president Chen’s son)
As the Chineseinformation
banking Milk Scandalin reaches
Merrill Lynch Bank
its second in Geneva.
week Thisthe
of existence, information was provided
DPP has issued by the Swiss
several proposals to help Federal
make
Department of Justice and Police. Thus, this legislator apparently could only obtain this information from the
amends for those who
prosecutor’s have suffered in this crisis as well as reduce the chances of a similar one occurring in the future.
office.

According to Taiwanese law, TV or radio programs are prohibited from commenting on cases (and the individuals
The DPP first
involved) underurged the KMT or
investigation government to as
trial as well secure a publicfrom
prohibited apology and compensation
publicizing or reportingfrom China
on the to not only
confidential the
debates
regarding
victims of the cases or trials. However,
melamine-poisoning but also tobased on the DPP’s
the companies who haveunofficial
enduredstatistics
severe from August
financial 15astowell
losses October 5, 2008,
as a decline
209 political talk shows violated the aforementioned law. The DPP Caucus has filed formal complaints based on the
in reputation
law during Communications
to the National this scandal. If China fails to take
Commission responsibility
regarding for its However,
this matter. corrupt actions, then the
our request KMT
was should forbid
ignored.
ARATS chief Chen Yunlin, scheduled to visit Taiwan sometime during the next month, from entering into the county.

3. Selective Investigation And Prosecution (選擇性辦案)

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
There has been a very clear difference in how the judiciary has handled KMT and DPP cases. None of the KMT
specifically
officials calledofforcrimes
accused furtherhas
transparency within the
faced the turmoil thatexport business
currently bythe
affects demanding that aNeither
DPP officials. product’s
hasplace
any of originbeen
of them be
detained before being formally charged.
placed in clear view for the consumer to see. In many cases, the investigation process for KMT officials is extremely slow,
and some cases haven’t even been investigated yet.

Q: Of those KMT officials who have been charged with corruption, how many have been detained?
ZERO!
KMT officials Description of the case Current status Detained?
charged with
corruption
Former mayor of Pressured Keelung City government officials Sentenced for No
Keelung, to choose land he partially owned in several 7-year in prison by
Hsu, Tsai-li public procurement deals. local court.
Hsin-chu County Accepted bribe payment of NT$ 1,000,000 Prosecutor asked No
Magistrate
Cheng, Yung-chin
Questions or comments? Feel free to
from Jinher Construction Company which
bribes in order to quickly obtain establishment
for 10 years in
prison. Case is still
permit and building permit. on the trail.

email them to foreign@dpp.org.tw or

Former Miaoli Involved in Gong land acquisition scandal and Sentenced for No
County Magistrate Jo-jung (久俊) Development Company 15-year prison,
Her, Jyh-huei scandal, received bribe payment of NT$100 deprivation of civil
million more and over-lending NT$ 1.1 billion. rights for 8 years by
dppforeign@gmail.com Taiwan High Court.
Nan-tou County Involved in receiving bribery from construction Case still under No
Magistrate projects and intended to allow specific venders investigation.
Lee, Chao-ching to benefits from public procurement on holiday
gifts etc.

4
6 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

Q: Of those KMT officials who have been alleged with corruption, how many have been investigated?
KMT Official Description of the case Date Case
Investigated?
Cho, Bo-yuan Alleged involvement in kickbacks from companies 2004-06-25 No
(Changhua County that submitted tenders for the rights to operate the
Magistrate) electronic toll system.
Liu, Cheng-Hung Alleged involvement in Chinese Farmer Bank 2005-11-30 No
over-lending Scandal
Huang, Chung-Sheng Alleged involvement in Tai-Kai and Da-Li Industrial 2005-11-24 No
(Taichung County Park scandals
Magistrate)
Lien Chan Alleged involvement in embezzling special 2006-11-08 No
(Former vice allowance funds
president)
Vincent Siew
Ma Ying-jeou Alleged malpractice for allowing a middle school to 2007-05-16 No
(former Taipei City own land without paying rent, which resulted in a
Mayor) loss of tax revenue for the city government.
Ma, Ying-jeou, 97 KMT officials (including Ma, Ying-jeou, Liu, 2007-05-17 No
Liu, Chao-shiuan, Chao-shiuan, Wu, Poh-hsiung, Hao, Long-bin etc)
Wu, Poh-hsiung, alleged embezzlement of special allowance funds
Hao, Long-bin etc
Ma Ying-jeou (former - Alleged involvement in several corruption 2007-07-17 No
Taipei City Mayor and scandals: receiving kickbacks and attempting to
former KMT help certain parties to profit from public
Chairperson) construction projects
- Alleged involvement in rapid-liquidizing of illegal
party assets
Hao, Long-bin (Taipei Alleged involvement in scandal about school land 2008-01-19 No
City Mayor) in Tianmu
Diane Lee Alleged possession of dual Taiwanese/U.S. 2008-03-12 No
(Legislator) citizenship while serving as legislator
Wu, Samuel Allegedly received illegal “consultant fees” 2008-04-25 No

Lee, Chu-Feng Allegedly used public funding for his wife’s 2008-10-15 No
(Kinmen County traveling expenses abroad.
Magistrate)

4. Political Interference In the Judicial Process

Neither the President, nor the Premier nor the Minister of Justice have the authority to direct or control legal
proceedings, nor do they have the legitimacy to make public statements on cases under judicial
investigation.However, President Ma Ying-jeou and Minister of Justice Wang Ching-feng have even publicly
announced that former President Chen will be prosecuted as well as made statements insinuating that Chen is
guilty. These kinds of behavior are not only “sentencing without trial” but also imply political interference in the
prosecution process.

z President Ma Ying-jeou stated in a media interview that former president Chen Shui-bian will be prosecuted
by the end of the year, and referred Chen as Ferdinand Marcos in Taiwan.

z When being asked by a KMT legislator to “arrest former President Chen Shui-bian” in the Legislative Yuan,
Premier Liu Chao-shiuan replied, “We will get down to it as soon as possible”.

z Minister of Justice Wang Ching-feng openly discussed Chen’s case in the political talk show “文茜小妹大”

z Minister of Justice Wang Ching-feng visited the KMT headquarter for a meeting with KMT
Secretary-General Wu Don-Yih to discuss Chen’s case.

z Minister of Justice Wang Ching-feng openly explained the charges against Tainan councilor in the
Legislative Yuan.
5
7 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

WHAT’S NEXT?

Recently, we all witnessed critical situations taking place in other "democratic" countries showing that liberal
democracy is under threat in many parts of the world. Democratic backsliding in Taiwan ever since the Ma
administration took office is sadly one of these situations.

Although we are disappointed in recent developments in Taiwan, we are not in despair over the current situation. The
Taiwanese people remain firmly committed to keeping the flame of democracy alive. This is a learning process.
Recent developments in Taiwan have reminded us that democracy is never perfect and never completely secure. It
requires continual awareness and care as well as periodic reform and revitalization. We are learning these lessons,
especially our young people. They sometimes are derogatorily labeled “strawberries” by those who criticize them for
being too soft to shoulder responsibility.

Recently, they have shown their mettle. A group of some 500 university students, accompanied by several professors
and NGO professionals, spontaneously initiated a sit-in in the Freedom Square to protest the aggressive police
behavior and the severe infringement on freedom of assembly and speech during Chen Yunlin’s visit. They learned to
cherish the hard-earned democracy in Taiwan, and shoulder the responsibility necessary for their country’s survival.

The DPP has always been the guardian and engine for Taiwan’s democracy. We have stood up for our people and
led street demonstrations during the period of Martial Law. We fought as the opposition party in the 80s and 90s, and
pushed for democratic, education, judicial and political reforms, and assistance to other newly democratized countries
when we were in government from 2000 to 2008.

Today, we are facing a new challenge. We will continue to push for a “Second Democratization Agenda” that strives
to defend Taiwan’s democracy and to project serious policy alternatives to the failed and flawed policies of the current
administration.

Finally, we would like to express our appreciation for your warm friendship to Taiwan and your supports for Taiwan’s
democracy.

6
8 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

DPP NEWS
DPP’s critics on “Three Links”: “Three Links” lacks protective measures and put Taiwan’s
economy into risks of marginalization and overdependence

Dec. 16, 2008 – On the second day of the roll-out of the “three links,” Democratic Progressive Party spokesman Cheng
Wen-tsang, speaking on behalf on Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen, acknowledged that the policy made cross-Strait exchanges
more convenient, but it also brought risk. In the future, we must not only supervise the state of Taiwan sovereignty, but we
must also keep a close eye on its economy. The DPP will now focus its supervision on whether there are any asymmetries
arising from cross-Strait exchanges and if Taiwan’s economy is in danger of becoming marginalized or regressing into a
tributary state.

Spokesman Cheng pointed out that supervisory and protective provisions were missing from the cross-Strait trading
relationship. This kind of exchange is unequal in nature and contradicts the Ma administration’s declaration that all signs
were positive. The fact is the lack of protective provisions in cross-Strait exchanges has created many victims such as
farmers. Not only have Taiwanese agricultural trademarks been counterfeited in China, low cost Chinese agricultural
exports are likely to be dumped upon and take over the markets in Taiwan, Europe, the U.S., and Japan. There is also a
possibility that there will be an outflow of our agricultural technology, samples, and human capital towards China. Recently
China has been promoting special economic zones on the west coast of the Taiwan Strait and sought to attract
businessmen to agricultural parks they have established. This will lead to an outflow of Taiwan’s agricultural sector to China
in the long run, so agricultural exchanges are not necessarily beneficial to Taiwan.

Taiwan’s workforce faces an even greater challenge. Spokesman Cheng stated that the relocation of the manufacturing
industry to China has caused the unemployment of many workers not only in traditional manufacturing, but also the high
tech industry as well. Capital can flow freely, but labor cannot. This has led to a decrease in the real wages of local workers.
With direct cross-Strait exchanges, workers in all industries and sectors are in danger of becoming victims. Once local
traditional manufacturing industries such as Yunlin’s towel industry, Taichung County’s luggage industry, and Changhua’s
cotton sock industry relocate abroad, Taiwan’s competitive advantages will be lost and result in regional unemployment.

Spokesman Cheng went on to say that shipping and airline industries also face the same competitive threats. China has
been engaging in large-scale construction of ports along its coast and developing its air freight industry. The shipping
agreements that were signed did not include traffic rights within the mainland or the fifth freedom traffic rights for air freight
shippers. This will most likely lead to the degrading of competitive ability of the local airline industry. Taiwan’s shipping
industry was at the top worldwide at one time. Now the Chinese shipping industry with its advantage in ports may easily
take Taiwan’s place.

Spokesman Cheng stressed that currently the Ma administration’s claim that there would be 3,000 Chinese tourists arriving
daily was an empty promise. China’s monopolistic practices also cast doubt on whether Taiwan will see any benefits of
increased tourism. So far Taiwan has not benefited from the opening of the country to Chinese tourists. Moreover,
Taiwanese businesspeople in China are also facing economic difficulties. With costs rising due to the new labor law and a
decrease in exports, Taiwanese businesspeople have not seen any tangible benefits from the greater opening towards
China.

Taiwan’s poultry industry also faces threats. Its annual exports had reached NT$5 billion (US$156 million). The spread of
foot and mouth disease (FMD) from China has seriously damaged the local poultry industry. Spokesman Cheng stated that
Taiwan is currently entering the final 2 years of its observation period to be taken off the quarantine watch list. If there is
another FMD outbreak arising from Taiwan’s opening towards China and an incomplete disease inspection regime, then
the day when poultry producers can begin exports again will be pushed into the distant future. From incidents involving
melamine, FMD, and SARS, it can be seen that there exist extremely large public health risks in China. It is absolutely
essential that we remain vigilant.

Spokesman Cheng emphasized that the three links have not only increased Taiwan’s dependence on China’s economy,
Taiwan’s foreign investment flows have also slowly centered on China. China-bound investment capital in March of this
year far surpassed last year’s figure. This proves that after the opening of the three links, risk will be significantly increased.

Spokesman Cheng pointed out that the passenger capacity rates on the first direct flights did not meet estimates. Cargo
capacity rates also left much to be desired. Looking at current postal schedules, the claim that letters delivered in the
morning will be received by afternoon is absurd. Premier Liu’s remark that fresh deliveries in the morning would make it
onto the dinner table at night completely ignored issues of disease inspections. Liu’s unfulfilled promises of
7
9 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

the benefits of the three links proves that all the Ma administration can do is offer hyped-up promises. We feel that greater
convenience must also be accompanied by necessary safety measures.

Spokesman Cheng expressed that the Ma administration’s termination of the active management policy is an abandonment
of responsibility. Even the most trade-friendly country will have management measures put in place. If there is a complete
absence of managing trade between Taiwan and China, the result will be a complete asymmetry of economic flows which
will bring about risks which Taiwan may not necessarily be able to cope with.

With regard to Ma Ying-jeou’s statement that the three links will put an end to the state of hostilities, spokesman Cheng said
that if Ma Ying-jeou recognizes the People’s Republic of China (PRC), would the PRC reciprocate with a recognition of
Taiwan or the Republic of China (ROC) and stop its hostile attitude? The DPP believes that a “Taiwan, China, one country
on each side” policy does not have the problem of creating hostility over dividing the country. Rather, it is an issue of
China’s military threat towards Taiwan and Taiwan’s claim to its sovereign status. Ma Ying-jeou’s claim that the three links
would end hostilities is premature.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen expressed her solidarity to Dalai Lama and Tibetans

Dec. 5, 2008- In response to President Ma Ying-jeou’s refusal on Dec. 4 of a visit by the Dalai Lama, Democratic
Progressive Party Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen expressed that she would warmly welcome and support the Dalai Lama.

She said that the Dalai Lama is a courageous and respectful leader as well as a symbol of hope, freedom and human rights
in Tibet. He has fought for the freedom of Tibet and raised world awareness and concerns about the difficulties and
challenges facing Tibet today. He is a world-respected religious and political leader. “We welcome the Dalai Lama to visit
Taiwan. If the Dalai Lama thinks my invitation would be appropriate, it would be the pleasure of both myself and the
Democratic Progressive Party to invite him for a visit.”

Sharing the common values of peace, freedom, democracy and human rights, the DPP remains a long-supporting friend of
the Tibetan people and the Tibetan Government in Exile. DPP leaders and members of parliament have provided
assistance for Tibetans in exile in Taiwan in obtaining legal immigration status as ‘refugees’. They have also participated
actively in Free Tibet campaigns and events both domestically and internationally, such as the World Parliamentarians’
Convention on Tibet. Moreover, in 2002 the DPP administration established the quasi-official Taiwan Tibet Exchange
Foundation as a platform for promoting closer relations between Taiwan and Tibet. The Dalai Lama himself has also visited
Taiwan in 1997 and 2001.

Chairperson Tsai further stated that “while other countries may fail to welcome or even rebuke the Dalai Lama based on
their national interests, this is not the case for Taiwan”. “We sympathize with those countries that are suppressed,
mistreated and marginalized in the international community because Taiwan faces the same difficulties. Thus, the Ma
government’s suppression of the Dalai Lama is particularly unacceptable”.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DPP on Taiwan Economy: Job creation first

Nov. 25, 2008- Whether it is due to the incompetence of the Ma administration’s past six months of governance or the
influence of global factors, at the six month mark of the Ma administration, various leading indicators point to a bleak
outlook for Taiwan’s economy,.

The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting, and Statistics (DGBAS) of Executive Yuan announced that in October the
unemployment rate rose to 4.37%. However, we believe the real situation could be worse, since the figure doesn’t include
those part-time workers, which recently has increased rapidly.

The underlying philosophy of Ma administration’s economic policies has been to provide support to banks which would, in
turn, support businesses, and business would then support laborers and increase employment.

In DPP’s point of view, this underlying philosophy has the ordering of priorities all wrong, and what is needed currently is a
focus on creating jobs, increasing employment opportunities across industries and enabling citizens of different
backgrounds to find work and reducing unemployment.

“The Ma administration will issue NT$3,600 (about US$110) consumer vouchers, but what people would rather want is a
NT$36,000 (US$1,090)-a-month job”, DPP spokesperson Cheng Wen-tsan said.

8
10 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

Cheng went on to state that when the DPP was in power, it had to deal with the SARS epidemic and the global economic
effects of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. At that time the stock market index had fallen to 3,000 and unemployment had risen, but
because the government pushed its “Diverse Employment Plan,” middle- senior-aged laborers who lost their jobs were able
to return to the workforce. The unemployment problem was fundamentally addressed by creating short-term and temporary
work opportunities. Afterwards, the economy rebounded and the DPP administration reduced the unemployment rate to
below 4%. In comparison, the Ma administration has not even been in power for half a year and the unemployment rate is
already on track to exceed 5%. This trend creates a great deal of insecurity for citizens and causes society to be pessimistic
towards the future of Taiwan’s economy and employment opportunities.

The DPP believes that the government needs to reverse its priorities and focus on assisting workers and reducing
unemployment first.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An open letter from Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen:
“Why Chen Yunlin is not welcome in Taiwan?”
November 3, 2008
The KMT had exploited all its resources and communication channels to promote Chen Yunlin’s trip to Taiwan. Suddenly, it
seems that voices of dissent no longer exists in Taiwan, while the KMT demands the illusion that all the people of Taiwan
have high expectations for the impending SEF-ARATS talks. This is however, not the truth. Taiwan is currently facing a
critical moment. With the ruling administration critically restricting and purging any internal voices of opposition, appeasing
China while ignoring the sentiments of the people, it is vital for the DPP, as the main opposition party, to step up, and clearly
affirm our serious objection. We are against Chen Yunlin’s visit to Taiwan at this specific time because of the following four
main points:

1) While we have never opposed negotiations on technical and practical matters between Taiwan and China, we
believe that with the current political environment the negotiation should take place in a third country, so that Taiwan
will not have to pay the heavy social costs brought upon by opposing views. It is unfortunate that the KMT was
determined to set the meeting here in Taiwan in order to save their ailing approval rate by creating an illusion of a
‘peaceful resolution’ between Taiwan and China.

2) While Taiwan-China relations appeared to be warming up, the people of Taiwan are becoming bankrupt. There have
been very limited benefits with the focus of all of our economic attention and resources on China. However the risks are
high. After the current talks in Taipei, Taiwan will have taken an even bigger step towards the One-China market. In the
near future, will Taiwan have any other option other than choosing the path of ‘unification’?

3) We strongly demand that President Ma insist Chen Yunlin referred to him as President. Additionally, he needs to
clearly reiterate his campaign pledge to Chen Yunlin in person that “the future of Taiwan must be decided by the 23
million people of Taiwan.”

4) China is deliberately creating division within Taiwan. This is clearly demonstrated by the carefully selected itinerary
during Chen Yunlin’s visit. Taiwan’s largest opposition party, the DPP was deliberately sidelined and ignored. There is
no other political party in the world that would align itself with a hostile foreign party in order to damage its internal
political competition. Chen Yunlin’s visit to Taiwan is not an internal matter between the KMT and the Chinese
Communist Party. It is a matter of public concern for all the people of Taiwan. The DPP thus strongly demands the
immediate abolishment of the party-to-party KMT-CPP Platform, and insists that all cross-strait negotiations must be
institutionalized and held accountable to public scrutiny, and monitored by the Legislative Yuan.

My fellow Taiwanese, starting from November 3rd, let us ensure that Taipei truly becomes the essence of ‘Taiwan.’ We
must take on the responsibility to defend our own dignity and sovereignty that our government has chosen to forgo. This is
the only path, and our shared responsibility. We need to adopt a peaceful, rational, determined, and a non-violent manner
to defend our way of life, and everything we possess.

My fellow DPP members: regardless of the situation, we cannot allow any violence to take place. Democracy is the DPP’s
only weapon, and peace is the DPP’s only method. This is my sole request and order.

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DPP Polls
I. October 2008 Survey conducted by DPP Survey Center

Date: October 27-28

Sample size: 1288 (sampling error: ±2.79%)

1. About the October 25th rally: 48.7% of respondents said its objective was to express people’s voice and opinions
while 33.1% said the rally was to create social division and conflicts.

2. Whether “President Ma Ying-jeou made too many concessions on Taiwan’s sovereignty to China”: 54.2% agreed
while 34.8% disagreed.

3. Satisfaction rate for Ma Ying-jeou’s administration’s performance: 22.6% answered they were satisfied with
government’s performance while 71.2% answered they are not satisfied.

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2. “2008 China’s Public Image in Taiwan”
Public survey conducted by the DPP Survey Center

Date: December 23-24, 2008

Sample size: 1105, Sampling error: ±3.0% at the 95% confidence level,
Sampling method: random-digit-dialing (last 2 digit) Weighted value: age, gender, area of residence

1. One word to describe China

“Friendly” 32.2% “Hostile” 56.8%
“Liberal/Progressive” 26.1% “Conservative” 67.9%
“Democratic” 8.9% “Autocratic” 85.1%
“Conscientious“ 13.9% “Black-hearted” 74.8%
“Developed” 45.0% “Less-developed” 46.2%
“Public–spirited” 9.0% “Selfish” 81.0%
“Trustworthy” 15.3% “Hypocritical and Cunning” 70.6%

2. Ties between Taiwan and China…

„ “Taiwan and China belong to the same country”: 2.7%
„ “Taiwan and China belong to the same ethnic group”: 36.4%
„ “Taiwan and China have the same culture”: 28.1%
„ “Taiwan and China are not related at all”: 28.4%

[Note] Among pan-green supporters, 48% agreed that “Taiwan and China are not related at all”. Among pan-blue
supporters, 47.2% and 34.4% of “middle voters” agreed that “Taiwan and China belong to same ethnic group”.

3. Taiwanese and Chinese are….

„ Neighbors: 29.3%
„ Foreigners: 27.1%
„ Compatriots: 37.1%
„ Fellow citizens: 1.5%

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[Note] 78.2% of pan-green supporters and 58.4% of “middle voters” answered that Chinese are “neighbors or
foreigners” while 55% of pan-blue supporters answered that Chinese are “compatriots”.

4. Regarding whether it is appropriate that cross-strait policymaking is done by party to

party (i.e. through KMT/CCP Forum)…
„ 55.8% respondents said that it is not appropriate while 34.6% said it is appropriate.

[Note] 87% of pan-green supporters and 59% of “middle voters” answered “not appropriate”

5. Regarding participation of the opposition party in the cross-strait policymaking process:

„ 76% of respondents agreed that the ruling party should consult and reach consensus with the opposition
party before starting negotiation with Chinese government, while 19.1% disagree.

6. Regarding who is the key person deciding the direction of the cross-strait policy…
„ President Ma Ying-Jeou (馬英九): 45.6%
„ Former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairman Lien Chan (連戰): 23.1%
„ Current KMT chairperson Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄):14.4%

[Note] Compared to the poll during the SEF-ARATS Meeting in November 2008, the percentage of those who
believed that President Ma is in charge of cross-strait policy marking decreased slightly.

7. Regarding whether the current “open-door” cross-strait policy will be beneficial to

Taiwan’s economic development…
„ 48.7% of respondents answered “yes”, while 48.7% said “no”.

[Note] Compared to the poll during the contaminated milk crisis, the “yes” figure increased by 5%.

8. Regarding whether the government has set up complementary measures for its
cross-strait policy…
„ 65.8% of respondents said “no”, while 24.7% said “yes”

[Note] Comparied to the poll during the SEF-ARATS meeting, the “yes” figure is down by 4%.

9. Regarding the public trust in the Ma administration’s handling of cross-strait issues with
the Chinese government…
„ 50.4% of respondents said they do not trust the Ma administration while 44.3% said they do.

[Note] Compared to the poll during the 1025 Rally, the “trust” figure is down by 6%.

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