We have recently seen a flurry of reports and speculation over the question of whether the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) has changed its policies and jumped on the China bandwagon, and even that I might visit China to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤).
Some of the reports have been denunciatory, some critical and some anxious, and they have created a crisis of trust among TSU supporters.
It is well known that the TSU's founding ideals are to stabilize the political situation, revitalize the economy, consolidate democracy and strengthen Taiwan. The TSU's core values are the insistence that Taiwan is a sovereign and independent nation and that each side of the Taiwan Strait is a separate nation with neither side having any jurisdiction over the other. The TSU's most basic beliefs and values are therefore that a new constitution must be written and the national title be changed, together with the will to normalize Taiwan's status as a state.
On March 14, China passed its "Anti-Secession" Law. The intensification of China's "united front" attack against Taiwan, the visits to China to pay tribute by the leaders of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the People First Party (PFP), and the resulting weakening of the public's psychological defenses, have not shaken the TSU's position and beliefs. In fact, our position and beliefs have become stronger and firmer.
During a meeting of the TSU's Central Executive Committee last week, Lee Hsien-jen (李先仁) and other members suggested that a pragmatic and rational approach be adopted when deciding on ways to deal with "China fever."
It was also suggested that we should participate in the Mainland Affairs Council's (MAC) symposium on party-level China policy, and the proposed committee for cross-strait peace and development proposed by the president, in order to fully clarify the TSU's stance on China policy and be a voice for pro-Taiwanese grassroots. Much to my surprise, someone cracked a joke after the meeting, saying that "perhaps Chairman Shu will shake hands with Hu Jintao."
That statement became the focus of media reports, causing outsiders to believe that the TSU is jumping on the China bandwagon. Lee, who is the director of our policy-making department, blamed himself for causing outsiders to mistake internal discussions for changes to TSU policy -- and even distort it to mean that the TSU is turning its back on its core values and fundamental position. For this reason, he subsequently resigned.
I am aware of the fact that the Chinese leadership, in addition to continuing its military threat toward Taiwan, has become more flexible in paving the way for "one country, two systems; peaceful unification."
They are using the visits by the KMT and the PFP leaders to China to undermine the government and open up agricultural trade to win over pro-Taiwanese farmers -- undermining national identification and Taiwan consciousness. This is the "soft kill" that has become part of China's "united front" strategy against Taiwan.
Given this situation, how could I and the TSU work for "one China" or become the willing tools of "united front" strategists? I hereby solemnly guarantee that the TSU will persist in its fundamental belief that Taiwan is in need of a new constitution and a change to its national title.
I swear to protect Taiwan's sovereignty and our mission is to transform Taiwan into a normal state. I deeply hope that the Taiwanese people will not lose faith in the TSU as a result of a few biased media reports. I believe that Taiwan can be protected only by strengthening the TSU.
Shu Chin-chiang is the chairman of the Taiwan Solidarity Union. Translated by Perry Svensson
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