CHEN INAUGURATED AS CHAIRMAN................


PRESIDENT CHEN LEADS UN TORCH RELAY.....2 OCTOBER 2007

FRANK HSIEH PRESENTS
 ‘TAIWAN
AQUAMARINE’………………………………. 3

HU’S STATEMENT DOES NOT AID CROSS-STRAIT

RELATIONSHIP…………………………..…. 3-4

DPP STANDS WITH THE BURMESE PEOPLE....4-5


democracy &
NORMAL NATION RESOLUTION……………..6-8

A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY THE DPP’S

progress
DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

President Chen Inaugurated as 11th Chairman of the Democratic Progressive

Party

President Chen Shui-bian was inaugurated as the 11th Chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party.
This is the 2nd time President Chen has served as Chairman, and his return to this position marks the
official kickoff of a united DPP campaign for the upcoming legislative and presidential elections.

Chairman Chen’s new team includes Cho Jung-tai as the Secretary-General, and Lan Shih-tsung and Liu
Chien-sin as Deputy Secretary-Generals. In addition, current and past Legislators and City Councilors
have taken the post of department directors. This new list of party officials includes the following:
Director of the Secretariat: Former Taipei City Councilor Ko Chin-sheng
Director of the Department of Culture and Information: Legislator Hsieh Hsin-ni
Director of the Department of International Affairs: Legislator Hsiao Bi-Khim
Director of the Department of Social Development: Former Legislator Hsiao Yu-chen
Director of the Department of Women’s Development: Legislator Huang Sue-ying
Director of the Policy Research Committee: Legislator Wang Tuoh
Director of the Institute of Democracy: Legislator Cheng Kuo-chung
Director of the Department of Ethnic Affairs: Legislator Chang Ching-hui

Former Chairman You Si-kun will act as the General Coordinator of the Frank Hsieh Presidential
Campaign and the Principal Advisor of the Democratic Progressive Party, while Vice Presidential
Candidate Su Tseng-chang will serve as Honorary Advisor to the Democratic Progressive Party.
2 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

DEMOCRACY &
PROGRESS President Chen Shui-bian Leads UN Torch Relay
Department of
International Affairs President Chen Shui-bian, Chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party, joined thousands of

Democratic Progressive Party participants on the streets of Taipei to initiate a nation-wide UN torch relay on the morning of

8F, No. 30, Pei-Ping East Rd. October 24th.

Taipei, Taiwan

t. 886-2-23929989 ext. 306 The Relay, which began on Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office, will take 11

f. 886-2-23214527 days and pass through 25 cities and counties.

e-mail: foreign@dpp.org.tw
web: http://www.dpp.org.tw The UN Torch Relay was planned to coincide with UN Day, which commemorates the
anniversary of the UN Charter’s official promulgation. Premier Chang Chun-hsiung likewise

Director: designated October 24th as Taiwan’s UN Day and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs founded a UN
Bi-Khim Hsiao Research Center to coordinate government policies and efforts for the UN campaign.

The 1945 UN Charter was created based on the universal belief in fundamental human rights, as
Principal Deputy Director
well as a commitment to peace, justice, social progress, and better standards of life for all human
Dr. I-Chung Lai
beings. Having fought for the peaceful transition of political power, Taiwan ended authoritarian
rule and has emerged as a nation in the vanguard of Asian democracies. Taiwan thus has a wealth
Editor:
of experiences and resources suitable for developing countries everywhere to model, in order to
Roger Lee Huang
help lead the way towards stability, democracy, and respect for human rights.

Taiwan’s voice will be heard by holding the UN Torch Relay,. As bumpy as the road may be,
Taiwan will one day achieve its dream of becoming an equal member of the international
community, best signified by membership in the United Nations.

The Torch Relay will return to Taipei on November 3rd. More than one-hundred thousand people
are expected to participate in this nation-wide relay.
3 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

Frank Hsieh Presents ‘Taiwan Aquamarine (台灣青)’ as Campaign Color

DPP Presidential Candidate Frank Hsieh announced his 2008 Presidential Campaign theme
color as ‘Taiwan Aquamarine.’ ‘Taiwan Aquamarine’ represents the landscape of Taiwan’s
mountains and ocean, as the natural elements of Taiwan are imbued with both blue and green
hues. Aquamarine is thus Taiwan’s true color, signifying the union of blue and green and a
symbol of social cohesion.

Frank pointed out that Taiwan’s politics have been confused and simplified by pan-blue and
pan-green rivalries. He therefore prefers the color ‘aquamarine’, which blends both colors
together. It is only fitting to select ‘Taiwan Aquamarine’ as the theme color of his campaign,
which he will use in his official campaign materials.

Frank further emphasized that for Taiwan to overcome the obstacles regarding its status abroad,
the issue of social unity is paramount. Likewise, the nation must focus upon strengthening
social cohesion and unity in order to become a respected and equal member of the international
community. The choice of this color, ‘Taiwan Aquamarine,’ thus signifies Frank Hsieh’s desire
to unite Taiwanese of all backgrounds.

Hu’s Statement does not aid Cross-Strait Relationship

The Democratic Progressive Party cannot accept China’s President Hu Jin-tao’s recent
counterproductive statement regarding a potential ‘peace agreement’ based on the mythical
‘One-China Principle’ advocated by the Chinese regime.

In response to Hu’s shallow statements, the DPP would like to point out that Hu has yet again
failed to present a sincere solution leading to a real peace agreement between the two nations.
China’s blatant disregard of Taiwan’s democracy and its unyielding territorial claims on Taiwan
is a repression of Taiwan’s popular sovereignty.
Continued on page 4…
4 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

Continued from page 3…

At China’s 17th National Congress, Hu once again rejected ‘Taiwanese Independence,’ and reiterated the
unilateralist ‘Peaceful Unification’ as the basis for any dialogue between the two countries.

China continues to live in denial, disregarding the reality that Taiwan is a sovereign, independent country,
separate from the People’s Republic. The Communist regime has never ruled Taiwan, and the co-existence of
two separate governments with separate jurisdictions is an undeniable reality. The basis of any peace agreement
between the two countries would thus require China to first respect this reality.

The DPP has always valued the rights of the 23 million people of Taiwan and cannot agree to Hu’s demands.
DPP continues to seek dialogue with China, as long as China drops its aggressive imperialist ambitions towards
Taiwan.

Democracy and mutual respect should form the basis of talks seeking peaceful development across the Strait.
Taiwan does not see China as the enemy. However, it is unfortunate that the Chinese government continues to
behave like one. China continues to employ tactics that hurt the well-being of the Taiwanese people, including
diplomatic and economic pressure directed towards Taiwan on the international stage, its decision to constantly
increase the missile buildup across the Taiwan Strait, and its unwillingness to renounce the use of military force
in Taiwan.

In fact, China itself has continued to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, and the international community
should hold China responsible for rising tensions between the two countries.

DPP and Nyo Ohn Myint, National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) Leader, Condemn
Ongoing Repression in Burma

Following the recent brutal crackdown on peaceful protests throughout Burma, the Democratic Progressive
Party was quick to respond by providing moral and political support to the Burmese people.

The DPP, and the National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) are both members of the Council of Asian
Liberals and Democrats The DPP is at the forefront of Asian democratic political parties and a committed
defender of human rights.

Based on this connection and out of concern for the victims of the junta, the DPP invited Nyo Ohn Myint to
attend a joint press conference regarding recent events in Burma. Nyo Ohn Myint is a member of the Foreign
Affairs Committee of the NCUB and Head of Foreign Affairs of the National League for Democracy-Liberated
Area (NLD-LA). The press conference was jointly held by Legislator and Director of the DPP’s Department of
International Affairs Hsiao Bi-Khim, and Legislator and Director of the DPP’s Department of Women’s
Development Huang Sue-Ying.
5 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

Nyo Ohn Myint stated at the press conference that China is still the prime backer of Burma’s military junta, and
has repressed any effective coordinated response from the international community, including United Nations
Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari. Both Hsiao and Huang also condemned the role that China has played in
perpetuating the repressive Burmese regime and creating general insecurity in the Asia Pacific region, from arms
sales to Burma to the continued threat of violence against Taiwan. Both legislators emphasized China’s continued
abuse of its position in the UN Security Council and asked China to act as a responsible member of the
international community.

Legislators Hsiao and Huang also passed separate legislative motions requesting the government to respond to the
current crisis in Burma. They hope to work through official Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) channels to
implore the United Nations, European Union, and Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to exert
pressure on the Burmese regime to release all political prisoners, including Aung Sung Syu Kyi. Moreover,
Hsiao’s motion called for the Burmese junta to begin serious dialogue with the democratic opposition, including
the NCUB, in order for Burma to truly democratize.

In addition to the official responses issued by the DPP and the Taiwanese government, Vice President Annette Lu,
working through the Democratic Pacific Union, formed a Pacific Network for Democracy in Burma. The new
alliance aims to promote democracy, human rights and social justice in the repressive regime. Aside from
promising political and humanitarian aid, the DPU also plans to hold a fact-finding mission along the
Thai-Burmese border in the coming weeks.

Nyo Ohn Myint said that as Taiwan was once under authoritarian rule, he hopes that Taiwan’s experience can
serve as a model for Burma’s struggle against tyranny.

Vice President Annette Lu meets Nyo Ohn Joint Press Conference conducted by Legislator

Myint. Hsiao and Legislator Huang.

6 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

Normal Nation Resolution

Passed by the DPP Twelfth National Party Congress, 2nd Session on September 30, 2007

Taiwan is a sovereign, independent nation. Neither Taiwan nor China belongs to one another,

nor is one country under the jurisdiction of the other. However, remnants of Kuomintang

authoritarianism and Chinese hegemony constitute internal and external challenges that have

produced five threats to the normalization of Taiwan.

1. Abnormal International Relations

China has displayed blatant aggression towards Taiwan in the form of military, diplomatic,

economic, cultural, and political actions, and through its promulgations of the “One China

Policy,” as well as the “Anti-Secession Law.” China has unilaterally altered the status quo in the

Taiwan Strait, thus undermining Taiwan’s sovereignty and security, threatening Taiwan’s

survival in the international community, and creating abnormal international relations for

Taiwan.

2. Abnormal Constitutional System.

Taiwan is still currently using the unsuitable constitutional structure of the Republic of China,

making it impossible for the democratically elected government to function normally.

3. Abnormal National Identity.

The legacy of cultural and educational indoctrination by the authoritarian alien KMT regime,

along with its suppression and stigmatization of local culture, has obstructed the formation of

national identification, thus causing an abnormal national identity.

4. Abnormal Social Justice

Unequal treatment of certain social groups over time by the KMT regime has led to a disruption

of social cohesion, which should be based on citizenship equality, thus creating an abnormal

social justice reality.

7 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

5. Abnormal Partisan Competition

The KMT’s long-term possession of illegitimately gained party assets has fostered a culture of

vote-buying, a failure to distinguish between party and State, and is furthermore detrimental to

democracy, thus creating abnormal competition between political parties.

The Democratic Progressive Party is the progressive force representing the people of Taiwan,

who seek to preserve Taiwan’s popular sovereignty and pursue democratic justice. Faced by

these aforementioned abnormalities, the DPP shall move forward and respond on the basis of

our “Taiwan Independence Platform” and “Resolution Regarding Taiwan’s Future,” along with

our “Normal Nation Resolution.”

In order for Taiwan to become a normal nation, we need to actively promote and implement

name-rectification, promulgate a new constitution, and accede to the United Nations. In addition,

we must realize transitional justice and restore a Taiwan-centric identity, with the ultimate goal

of transforming Taiwan into a normal nation. To accomplish these aims, we propose the

following:

1. Recognizing that Taiwanese national identity is based on the idea of a community of

“common destiny”, we must strengthen democratic values and Taiwanese

consciousness. Since it is difficult to use the country name, “Republic of China,” in the

international community, Taiwan must seek accession to the United Nations, World

Health Organization, and other international organizations under the name “Taiwan.” It

is thus important to achieve name-rectification of Taiwan in the near future. We must

write a new constitution, and at a proper time, ratify it through referendum, to make

evident the fact that Taiwan is an independent, sovereign state.

2. Taiwan should adopt the Gregorian calendar as its official calendar, in order to facilitate

the country’s integration with international norms.

8 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

3. The government should foster Taiwanese national identity, intensively promote the

development of Taiwanese culture and the public application of mother tongues, and

implement the Taiwanization of the education system.

4. It is a necessary prerequisite of economic development to first ensure national security,

social justice, and sustainable development, in order for the people of Taiwan to

experience happy and dignified lives.

5. The government should dedicate fully to advance transitional justice on every front. It

will rid the nation of the politically symbolic remnants of authoritarianism and its unjust

allocation of national resources, oversee a complete overhaul of Taiwan’s judiciary,

investigation, and prosecution systems, and ensure that the KMT return its illegitimately

gained party assets. The government must also rehabilitate the victims of political

oppression and investigate the truth of the oppression which took place during the

White Terror period.

The Democratic Progressive Party believes that Taiwan must move forward with the times.

Taiwan must break away from the bonds of power politics, put in place by an irrational and

authoritarianism system, actively pursue name-rectification and promulgate a new Constitution,

accede to the United Nations as an equal member, and implement transitional justice and

policies aimed at nurturing a Taiwan-centric consciousness. Together, Taiwan can unite and

build a normal and magnificent nation.