DPP Newsletter Feb2013

7/29/2019 DPP Newsletter Feb2013

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FEBRUARY 2013

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DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

DPP issues standpoint on governmentplans to hold referendum on nuclear power

As the Anti-nuclear Movement

relates to the peoples liveli-

hood, after thirty years of social

controversy and discussion, it is

very clear that Taiwanese soci-

ety refuses to live in fear of a

nuclear disaster. For this reason,

the DPP clearly advocates for

immediately stopping construc-

tion on the Fourth NuclearPower Plant.

The newly-appointed Premier,

Mr. Jiang Yi-huah, announced

on Feb. 25 that the government

will let the public decide on the

issue of the Fourth Nuclear

Power Plant in a referendum.

In a statement issued to the

press, the DPP stated that it be-

lieves that a nuclear homeland

can in fact be immediately

achieved as long as the current

government takes action. The

statement also states that the

DPP believes it is absolutely not

necessary to hold a referendum

for the obvious reasons and forsaving national resources and

social costs.

In the face of clear wishes ex-

pressed by public opinion, a re-

sponsible government must have

the humility to listen and make a

specific response to the calls for

stopping construction on the

Fourth Nuclear Power Plant.

However, the Executive Yuan

has not only failed to take any

action, they have also used

threatening words towards the

public, such as knowingly using

the high-threshold referendum

to determine this issues out-

come. The DPP expresses its

most severe condemnation says

the statement.

The DPP also appealed Presi-

dent Ma Ying-jeous administra-

tion to ensure two tasks are met

if they continue insisting in car-

rying out the referendum:

1) Immediately lay-off any con-

struction work, stop execut-

ing any annual budgets and to


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stop allocating additional

budgets for the plants con-

struction; and

2) Amend the Referendum Law,

reducing its thresholdamount to a realistic level to

allow real public representa-

tion.

The DPPs Central Standing

Committee on Feb. 27 agreed

on further steps for the party to

take towards a nuclear free

homeland. First, the DPP will

adopt legislative checks and

balances to promote amend-

ment to the high threshold in

the Referendum Law. Second,

the DPP will closely cooperate

with anti-nuclear groups to

combine the strength of civil

society. Third, the DPP Head-

quarters will set-up working

groups that will involve discus-

sion, advocacy, organization

and political demonstration.

After the Central Standing

Committee, DPP Chair SuTseng-chang announced in a

press conference the DPPs

resolution in holding a battle

for the security and survival of

the next generation. He further

chanted the slogan, The DPP

will prepare for a battle against

nuclear power in order to win

it!.

In the past, the DPP initiated

the implementation of a refer-

endum in Taiwan, but the KMT

said that a referendum was

equal to a disease, and after

many years of efforts, the KMT

has finally accepted a referen-

dum to decide on the Fourth

Nuclear Power Plant. The

standpoint of the DPP towards a

nuclear free homeland has

never changed, but it seems the

anti-nuclear movement road has

been hard and bumpy. This isnot a result of the DPPs idle-

ness, but rather, the KMTs ob-

struction.

Even though the Executive

Yuan has announced a referen-

dum, everyone has discovered

that the government doesnt

have the intention to resolve

this issue. They want to use an

unfair regulation to continue the

plants construction. It isnt

very hard to see that the KMT

is not in support of ending nu-

clear dependence in Taiwan,

Chair Su concluded.


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DPP delegation returns from successfulJapan visit

A DPP delegation led by Chair Su Tseng-chang vis-ited Japan for five days from Feb. 3 to 7, including

legislative members Ker Chien-ming, Chen Ming-

wen, Chiu Yi-ying, Hsiao Bi-khim, Tsai Chi-chang,

Wu Ping-rui and Lee Kun-tse as well as DPP For-

eign Policy Advisor and Former Representative to

Japan Koh Se-kai, and party staff.

Chair Su said the purpose of this trip encompassed

two major goals. First, he said the DPP wishes to

strengthen the democratic alliance with Taiwansneighboring countries. Second, he said he hoped to

hold closer exchanges on mutual security and pros-

perity for both sides. He emphasized that the DPP

strongly advocates foreign affairs policies with

common values as their foundation.

For a long period of time, along with the U.S., Ja-

pan and South Korea, Taiwan has built relation-

ships based on democracy, freedom and human

rights in order for this region to maintain securityand reduce tension, he said. Recent conflicts

have caused people to worry, therefore, the DPP

must strengthen the democratic alliance of neigh-boring countries in order to further maintain long-

term stability, security and prosperity in the re-

gion.

The DPP Japan Visit included rallies with overseas

Taiwanese groups, a visit to the headquarters of the

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP, ruling party of Ja-

pan) and its think tank; and meetings with members

of the Taiwan-Japan friendship group in the House

of Representatives of the National Diet of Japan.This time, the delegation was also able to visit the

Edogawa City First Power Station, an alternative

energy station founded by residents and entirely

generating power from solar panels.

At the LDP Headquarters, the delegation was re-

ceived by Mr. Shigeru Ishiba, Secretary-General of

the LDP. At the House of Representatives, Chair Su

was greeted by Mr. Takeo Hiranuma, president of

the Japan-Taiwan friendship group. Chair Su saidthe Taiwan-Japan friendship group plays an impor-

tant role in the relationship between both sides, es-

pecially since both countries

ended official relations.

Chair Su said the exchanges

between the public and

commerce have created

good feelings with surveys

showing that the Taiwanesepublic hold favorable views

towards Japan in general.

He thanked the friendship

group for their efforts in

promoting the visa-free pol-

icy as well as other initia-

tives that drew the people of

Taiwan and Japan closer

together.


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He further mentioned that in Taiwans 921

Earthquake in 1999, Japan was one of the first

countries to offer assistance to Taiwan. In turn,

he said that in Japans March 2011 earthquake

and tsunami disaster, even though Taiwan beinga small country, the public responded immedi-

ately with donations and other assistance. He

said the DPP also started a donation drive for the

victims of the disaster.

The most significant part of the Taiwan-Japan

relationship is that both sides identify with the

values of democracy, freedom and human rights,

which is why compared to other regions, there is

less tension and a continued wish to maintainlong-term stability and security, he said. He ex-

pressed wishes for the future to continue

strengthening the democratic alliance through

closer dialogue and interaction.

On Feb. 5, the delegation held a breakfast meet-

ing with Mr. Nobuo Kishi, Member of the House

of Councilors and Mr. Koichi Hagiuda from the

House of Representatives, both from the LDP.

Mr. Kishi is the brother of Japans Prime Minis-ter Shinzo Abe.

According to the DPPs Director of the Depart-

ment of International Affairs, Mr. Liu Shih-

chung, there were a total of 7 members from

both houses of Japans Diet at the breakfast

meeting. Mr. Liu said Mr. Kishi agreed with

Chair Su on holding more exchanges in the fu-

ture, especially between younger members of

congress from both sides, which is the genera-tion of members around 40 years of age. Mr. Liu

further mentioned that in this Japan visit, the

DPP delegation held exchanges with more than

60 member of the Diet, both from the upper and

lower houses.

The DPP Japan Visit ended with a tour of the

Edogawa City First Power Station. Upon first in-

stance, Chair Su said that the station looked small,

but the determination of the people to end nuclear

power showed that it can be carried out. He said he

hoped that Taiwan can be able to achieve a nuclear

free homeland.


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DPP Chair Su meets AIT ChairmanRaymond Burghardt

On Feb. 1, Chairman of the American Insti-

tute in Taiwan (AIT), Mr. Raymond Burg-

hardt, paid a visit to the DPP Headquarters

and was greeted by Chair Su Tseng-chang

where US-Taiwan relations and the current

situation in the East China Sea were dis-

cussed.

Mr. Burghardt first welcomed the close ex-

changes between AIT officials and the DPPin Taiwan, and he also welcomed the

DPPs initiatives in re-establishing a repre-

sentative office in Washington, D.C. He

further said he looked forward to greeting

Chair Su in Washington, D.C. in his up-

coming visit in May.

Chair Su said the DPP strongly values US friend-

ship with Taiwan, citing his recent exchanges with

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski and Chairman EdRoyce of the U.S. House of Representatives Com-

mittee on Foreign Affairs where they discussed in-

depth how to continue strengthening US-Taiwan

relations.

In regards to Taiwan-US security cooperation, Mr.

Burghardt said he agreed with the DPPs priority to

ensure Taiwans national security, supporting the

national defense budget with the governing party.

Chair Su, however, indicated that when he served

as Premier of Taiwan, the national defense budget

comprised of 2.75% of the GDP, but he expressed

regrets over the governments lowering of the

budget as well as the promotion of a volunteer mili-

tary. He said it was clear that the budget allocated

for national defense is insufficient, and he said that

even though the DPP supported national defense, it

also wishes to see a sufficient national defense

budget to create an effective deterrent capability inorder to safeguard Taiwans security.

In regards to the East China Sea, Chair Su criticized

the government for sending national coast guards to

support public demonstrations, which he said

caused unnecessary tensions. He also mentioned

Chinas position in the Diaoyutai dispute, which hesaid in the past, China was unable to interfere, but

now, through its meddling with Taiwan, they even

want to take a piece of Taiwans sovereignty. He

specially noted that for this reason, Taiwan must

absolutely not cooperate with China on the Diaoyu-

tai issue.

He further said that since the U.S. and the interna-

tional community expect peace and do not wish to

see the East China Sea issue worsen, the DPP

strongly supports the government protect fishing

rights and holding talks with Japan. However,

whereas in the past Taiwan and Japan have held

more than 10 meetings on fishing rights, the KMT

government has only held two, and with their con-

tinued support of public demonstrations in the

Diaoyutai Islands, Chair Su expressed worry that

this is dangerously sending the wrong message to

Japan and lessening their desire to hold talks with

Taiwan.


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Despite rain and low temperatures, the DPP Rep-

resentative to the United States, Dr. Jaushieh Jo-

seph Wu, and his associates in the DPP office in

Washington, DC, kept a busy schedule as they vis-

ited Congress, exchanged views with the policy

community including think tank analysts and the

Taiwanese expatriate community.

Following his February 24-27 meetings, Dr. Wu

held a press briefing in which he highlighted keypoints from his discussions.

First, the ongoing effort to establish a formal DPP

office in Washington, DC, is being well-received

by key policy experts on Taiwan-issues. The Ad-

ministration acknowledged the efforts of the DPP

to strengthen its relationship with the United

States based on the principles of transparency,

consistency, and reliability. Second, the United

States welcomes a comprehensive China policyfrom the DPP.

Dr. Wu reassured his U.S. audience that the Party

has had meaningful exchanges with Chinas Tai-

wan Affairs officials that can serve as the building

blocks for future negotiations. For example, he

cited Deputy Director of Chinas Taiwan Affairs

Office, Mr. Sun Yafu, who said that preconditions

should not be set in cross-Strait political dialogues

and that all parties, including the DPP, should be

included in these dialogues.

Third, the DPP reaffirmed its position that sover-

eignty disputes should not damage Taiwans rela-

tionships with its democratic partners in the Asia-

Pacific region, especially Japan and Southeast

Asian countries.

Finally, Dr. Wu reached out to pro-KMT expatri-

ate groups based on his past relationship with

Taiwanese communities across the political spec-

trum during his tenure as Taiwans Representative

to the United States.

Based on the success of this visit, Dr. Wu will re-

turn to the United States with DPP Chair Su

Tseng-chang to further strengthen the partys rela-

tionship with the United States. Noting that DPPhas formed several study groups on various

U.S.-Taiwan policy issues, he said with confi-

dence that the Party will be ready to answer

many important questions during Chair Sus visit

to Washington, DC.

DPP U.S. Representative concludes suc-cessful visit to Washington, D.C.

Dr. Joseph Wu with Rep. Steve Chabot,

Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs

Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.


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Invited to speak at the rally organized by the Tai-

wan Nation Alliance commemorating the 66th an-

niversary of the 228 Massacre, DPP Chair Su

Tseng-chang appealed the Taiwanese people to

become the masters of their own land.

The 228 Massacre took place in 1947 and it is one

of the worst tragedies in Taiwanese history. KMT-

led forces tried to take control over the island after

loosing Chinas civil war. The KMT troops killedmore than 30,000 Taiwanese activists and elites

living in the island at that time.

Speaking at the commemoration, Chair Su said,

Before the massacre took place, the general pub-

lic had expectations of the KMT, but soon these

expectations turned into hopelessness at the 228

Massacre, where many Taiwanese activists and

elite were slaughtered.

We must learn these lessons from history. Most

importantly, we must become our own masters

because only through our own self-reliance, not

allowing any external authoritarian regimes con-

trol us, the people of Taiwan will be able to

achieve full self-sovereignty, he said.

Compensation to the victims have been slow and

all the facts to the cases have not been made. Ac-

cording to Legislator Cheng Li-chun, relatives of

the massacres victims were charged ridiculousamounts in order to see official documents.

There are still many efforts to be made, Chair

Su said. I believe that taxpayers shouldnt be

held responsible for the compensation to 228 vic-

tims, and instead, they should come from the ill-

gotten assets of the KMT, who committed these

mistakes. I also hold to the belief that all the real

facts must be known to the public, and they

should be incorporated into historical and school

books.

DPP chair appeals Taiwanese to be mas-ters of their own land on 66th Anniversary

of 228 Massacre


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DPP issues statementon Lian-Xi Meeting

The DPP issued a statement regarding the February

meeting between KMT Honorary Chairman Lian Chan

and Chinas incoming leader, Xi Jinping.

At the meeting, Lian Chan mentioned the principles of,

one China, cross strait peace, mutual integration and

rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Mr. Honigmann Hong, Director of the DPPs China

Affairs Department, criticized Lians comments as

simply referring to One China, lacking different

interpretations. He said it was specially worrying

discussing a mutual integration and establishing an

effective political framework. His actions are playing

to the tune of Chinas unification ambitions, Mr. Hong

said.

Mr. Hong appealed the KMT and China to respect the

expectations of the people from both sides of the strait.

They must not, he said, misinterpret the wishes for

peace to forsake Taiwans sovereignty and the values

of democracy and human rights.

Mr. Hong also said that cross strait sustainability and

prosperity must be based on the consensus reached by

the people of both sides and not decided by unilateral

decisions from any political party or leader.

DEMOCRACY &

PROGRESS

PUBLISHED BY:

Department of InternationalAffairs Democratic

Progressive Party

9F, No. 30, Pei-Ping EastRoad, Taipei, Taiwan

Tel: 886-2-2392-9989 ext. 306

Fax: 886-2-2393-0342

Email: [email protected]

Website:

http://www.dpp.org.tw
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DPP Newsletter Feb2013

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