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OCTOBER 2011

DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

DPP unveils 2012 campaign headquarters


On Sunday, Oct. 23, the grand opening of Tsai Ingwen and Su Jia-chyuans campaign headquarters took place in Banchiao district in New Taipei City. The campaign headquarters is located at a newly opened building, with simplicity as its theme, and the newly unveiled office will not be using air conditioning to reflect the DPPs green principle. It is also a first for the DPP as former campaign headquarters in the past presidential elections were all located in Taipei City. During the day of the opening, thousands of people swarmed around the building to attend the rally activities designed as a festivity with music and speeches by DPP heavyweights Former Vice President Annette Lu and former premiers Chang Chung-hsiung, Frank Hsieh, Su Tseng-tsang and You Si-kun. As part of the tradition in all DPP rallies, there were street vendors gathered around the site, selling Taiwanese local snacks, while supporters queued up to purchase campaign memorabilia sold by Tsai Ing-wens newly released souvenir shop, Ings Goods. PAGE 1

OCTOBER 2011

DPP unveils 2012 campaign headquarters


Our president does not appear to care about the implication of his proposals, and his peace agreement proposal has stirred up uncertainty in our society as well as a grim outlook among our people. In her speech, Tsai emphasized that socio-economic problems are much more urgent and should take priority over cross-strait relations in the current presidential race. Tsai also noted the importance for fairness and justice in society, stressing that Taiwan should not be a country that consists of two different worlds. She lastly vouchsafed that justice and fairness will be the DPPs main goal. The next president will stand on the same side as the underprivileged and improve the quality of peoples lives, she said.

The event climaxed when the DPPs candidate for vice president, Su Jia-chyuan, accompanied by Tsai, made their entrance right down the heart of the supporting crowd. Tsai immediately spoke to the crowds on Mas proposal for a peace agreement with China, in which Tsai said she believed the proposal as reckless, and that Ma was simply delivering impulsive schemes without deliberating or even considering the consequences. A hasty and rash policy towards China is more dangerous than an incompetent government, Tsai said. For an incompetent government, the people can tighten their belts and try to cope with the current administration. A rash policy towards China could seriously hinder our future generations chance to make choices for themselves. Tsai mentioned that she had previously asked Ma for a bipartisan discussion of referendum laws in order to ensure that the rights of the people were accurately and justly represented, but she said it was turned down because Ma thought it was unnecessary. When I become president, I will not act strictly on impulse and say whatever I will without giving much thought to the consequences.

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OCTOBER 2011

Chair Tsai Ing-wens autobiography hits the shelves


Tsai Ing-wen recently released her autobiography, a book that has been given the title From Onion Scrambled Eggs to Little Ings Bento Boxes. The title of the book summed up her path to presidential candidacy, from being part of the grassroots to the leader of the main opposition party in Taiwan. The book has its title because onion scrambled eggs was a popular dish made by Tsais father while she was growing up, and decades later, she has become the face of the Democratic Progressive Party, where the idea of selling Little Ings bento boxes started. Little Ings Bento Boxes are no different than regular lunch boxes eaten by Taiwanese people at lunchtime. These lunch boxes have been sold at different venues where Tsai make public appearances, but it is the price of NT$2,012 NT per lunch box that makes them special because people that buy them are contributing to the partys fundraising efforts. In her autography, it is described that Tsai Ing-wen is often perceived as graceful and elegant, joyful as her smile can be seen everywhere she visits. Nonetheless, when it comes to negotiating, she is not only well known for her ability to bargain, but also her perseverance and persistence. She is perceived as calm and steady, handling tasks at her own pace regardless of circumstances. The book offers Tsais view of how she gained her international insight during her years abroad, and it was there that she realized that while it may be important to learn the language of others, it was more important to think rationally like others. In her autobiography, she describes her toughest challenge when the DPP reached a low point in 2008. Tsai rose to the task and accepted the position of chairperson of the DPP amid worries and

reservations from within the party. Gradually, Tsai resolved all doubts and suspicions as she successfully united the party once again with her moderate and pragmatic approach, which is considered atypical yet proven effective. To further understand the path of the first female presidential candidate, the book offers a great aspect of her life, in her own words.

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OCTOBER 2011

DPPs campaign bus tour from south to north connects with grassroots supporters
Campaign Route One is the name of the campaign trail by DPP Chair Tsai Ing-wen from the southernmost part of Taiwan to the northernmost, a 500 kilometers route designed to connect with the heart and soul of DPP's grassroots support. The campaign began on October 6th from Pingtung's Cape Eluanbi, and it went through 14 counties/ cities, and 79 towns/ villages, ending with 80,000 gathered in the heart of Taipei City. From beginning to the end, Tsai had engaged in many interactions with her supporters throughout the trip, such as playing soft tennis in Pintung, and riding bicycles in Yunlin. Nonetheless, the entire campaign trip emphasized on DPPs core principles, focusing on socio-economic and domestic problems rather than cross-strait issues at a time where social equality is being heavily challenged in Taiwan. Tsai visited many of the underprivileged groups in Taiwan throughout Campaign Route One, as well as touched upon many aspects of the society

that have been undermined by the current government such as artists, athletes, and farmers alike. In a speech delivered by Tsai in Chiayi, she discussed the inequality issue that is prevalent in Taiwan. We are all Taiwanese citizens, but why do we receive unequal treatment from the government PAGE 4

OCTOBER 2011

...DPPs campaign bus tour


and suffer from unfair distribution of government resources? She further mentioned that the growing disparity within the island is dividing Taiwan into three different worlds, The first is Taipei, since it is the capital, then the other four major cities located throughout the island, and then the other counties such as Chiayi, almost becoming a third-world county. Tsai criticized the current government as inefficient and incapable of managing national resources, resulting in an overwhelming national debt of 1.3 trillion NT. If we continue to let the current administration remain in power, we will continue to accumulate more and more national debt, and eventually it will become the burden of our future generations. This is unjust and unfair to our next generation as they will be facing much tougher challenges in addition to our debt problem. When confronted with questions regarding cross-strait relations, Tsai remained consistent and stated regardless where in Taiwan you are from, whether itd be Maple Port or Pintung, we must protect our sovereignty, and we must protect our dignity. The campaign trail concluded on October 16th and was regarded as a great success. Throughout Campaign Route One, more supporters turned up than anticipated, and the passion of the crowds Tsai met during the route left many visible bruises on Chair Tsai Ing-wen's arms. The climax of the campaign was the final rally taking place on Ketagalan Boulevard. Tsai's remarks resonated with the people's desire to see change in the government, "the people of Taiwan have had enough!" she said. Discontent with the current administration was clear. In a time where the government refuses to face up to economic and social inequality, Tsai clearly addressed each of these problems while outlining her policy proposals at the grand finale to reassure the people of Taiwan.

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OCTOBER 2011

DPP chair Tsai Ing-wen visits Japan


From Oct. 3-5, DPP Chair and Presidential Candidate Tsai Ing-wen visited Japan in an effort to promote her presidential bid as well as to further strengthen the bilateral relationship between Taiwan and Japan. In the three-day trip, she met with senior political figures from both the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and the opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), as well as members from the Japanese parliament. Chair was also invited to speak at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan (FCCJ) and the Waseda University in Tokyo. The DPP Delegation included Former Premier Frank Hsieh, who now serves as Tsais campaign chief, Foreign Policy adviser and Former Ambassador to Japan Mr. Koh Se-Kai, Foreign Policy Advisor Ms. Chang Fu-Mei, DPP Spokesperson Mr. Chen Chi-Mai, Spokesperson for International Affairs Ms. Bi-khim Hsiao, and several DPP legislators and city councilors. The Taiwanese community in Japan held a welcome reception for Chair Tsai on the first evening on October 3rd, followed by an event attended by more than 500 people and important guests. In her speech, Chair Tsai highlighted the close relations between Taiwan and Japan over the years as a form of Taiwan Consensus. She further stated that the Taiwan consensus, which is the starting point of her policy on China, is needed for Taiwan to develop its external relations, particularly with China. Taiwans future with China should be based on a new foundation, which is inclusive and through democratic means, she said. On the second day of her Japan trip, the DPP delegation visited the ruling Democratic Party of Japan and met with former Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, Chairman of the DPJ Policy Research Committee. In the meeting. they exchanged views on issues concerning regional security and economic activities. Chair Tsai stated the importance for Taiwan and Japan to cooperate more closely on the promotion of peace and stability in the region, as well as in the area of trade and economic relations. She further elaborated her views on regional security and economic integration in her speech at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan later that day. She highlighted the US-Japan security pact as the cornerstone of peace and stability in East Asia and the DPPs wish to strengthen Taiwans relations with Japan. She said that closer economic ties with Japan would help to prevent further marginalization and overdependence on China economically, adding that it would be mutually beneficial if Taiwan were to join the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP) or the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

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OCTOBER 2011

...DPP chair visits Japan

On relations with China, Chair Tsai said that she would improve the relationship with China by sharing the concept of peaceful development in mutually beneficial, wise and responsible ways. She further stated that it is Taiwan's responsibility to maintain peace and stability in the region. The most realistic way to reach this goal, she said, is "to reach a strategic understanding that recognizes differences while also allowing for the pursuit of common interests." On her last day in Tokyo, speaking to a class of more than 300 students at Waseda University, Chair Tsai talked about how the young generations should develop independent thinking and how important it is for citizens today to enjoy freedom and democracy. During her stay in Japan, Chair Tsai also met with Secretary-General Nobuteru Ishihar and the leadership of the opposition Liberal Democratic Party at the LDP headquarters. Additionally, she met with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe from the LDP, and other key figures. Commenting on the meetings with the important political figures in a press conference concluding the Japan visit, she said Japan and Taiwan share deep

cultural and historical ties and that the two countries should seek to reinforce bilateral relations, which should not be affected due to power shifts in either country. She also emphasized that people she met with in Japan have come to understand that the DPP is a confident and capable and determined to effectively maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait when it regains power next year. Lastly, she noted that, in contrast to previous DPP visits to Japan when most of the discussions were focused on political issues, Tsai said this trip covered a wide range of talks about peoples livelihood and other public issues such as nuclear safety, low birth rates, wealth gap, and lack of adequate jobs for the young generation - problems and challenges faced by both Taiwanese and Japanese society.

DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS


PUBLISHED BY: Department of International Aairs Democratic Progressive Party 9F, No. 30, Pei-Ping East Road, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: 886-2-2392-9989 ext. 306 Fax: 886-2-2393-0342 Email: foreign@dpp.org.tw Website: http://www.dpp.org.tw

DIRECTOR: Bikhim Hsiao DEPUTY DIRECTOR: Hsieh Huai-hui EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Michael J. Fonte EDITOR: Ping-Ya Hsu STAFF WRITERS: David Huang

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