Taiwan does not have to declare independence because it is already independent, President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen made the remarks when asked if he would eventually declare independence.
"The reality is Taiwan has been a sovereign, independent country for more than half a century, and that continues to be the `status quo,'" Chen said in the recent interview, adding that Taiwan's sovereignty does not fall under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China and that there is "one country on each side of the Taiwan Strait."
Chen was also asked by the BBC to give his views on a Beijing-based political commentator's claim that the Taiwanese government would choose one of the following three dates to declare independence: the date of next year's presidential election or presidential inauguration, or the opening of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
"We do not have to declare Taiwan's independence because Taiwan is already independent. Therefore, it will not happen on any of those three dates," Chen said.
On concerns that the nation's efforts to become a "normal country" could provoke a military attack from China, Chen said that the nation "will not keep silent just because China does not like what it hears."
Asked if he was confident that the US would defend Taiwan in the event of an attack, Chen said he believed the US would fulfill its obligations as stipulated in the Taiwan Relations Act and come to Taiwan's aid.
However, Chen said that Taiwan could not rely entirely on others and must increase its defense capabilities, but not with the intention of engaging in an arms race.
"We do not seek to engage in war. But we must be prepared for war if we wish to prevent it," he said.
Chen said that although China views almost every step taken by Taiwan as a move toward de jure independence, "the country must carry on with its course."
Chen said it was important for Taiwan to continue building on its democratic achievements, "because democracy is our most effective `theater missile defense' against China" and vital to establishing Taiwan as a "normal country that enjoys the same rights as other countries."
In this sense, he said, Taiwan "has the full right" to participate in the international community and world organizations.
"We want to make sure that one day, the voice of our people will be heard in all corners of the world, if not today, then maybe tomorrow," Chen said. "However long it takes, we will continue striving until we become a normal country that is accepted by international society."
Also see story:
Chen gets warm welcome in Honduras
MAKING WAVES: China’s maritime militia could become a nontraditional threat in war, clogging up shipping lanes to prevent US or Japanese intervention, a report said About 1,900 Chinese ships flying flags of convenience and fishing vessels that participated in China’s military exercises around Taiwan last month and in January last year have been listed for monitoring, Coast Guard Administration (CGA) Deputy Director-General Hsieh Ching-chin (謝慶欽) said yesterday. Following amendments to the Commercial Port Act (商港法) and the Law of Ships (船舶法) last month, the CGA can designate possible berthing areas or deny ports of call for vessels suspected of loitering around areas where undersea cables can be accessed, Oceans Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) said. The list of suspected ships, originally 300, had risen to about
DAREDEVIL: Honnold said it had always been a dream of his to climb Taipei 101, while a Netflix producer said the skyscraper was ‘a real icon of this country’ US climber Alex Honnold yesterday took on Taiwan’s tallest building, becoming the first person to scale Taipei 101 without a rope, harness or safety net. Hundreds of spectators gathered at the base of the 101-story skyscraper to watch Honnold, 40, embark on his daredevil feat, which was also broadcast live on Netflix. Dressed in a red T-shirt and yellow custom-made climbing shoes, Honnold swiftly moved up the southeast face of the glass and steel building. At one point, he stepped onto a platform midway up to wave down at fans and onlookers who were taking photos. People watching from inside
Japan’s strategic alliance with the US would collapse if Tokyo were to turn away from a conflict in Taiwan, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said yesterday, but distanced herself from previous comments that suggested a possible military response in such an event. Takaichi expressed her latest views on a nationally broadcast TV program late on Monday, where an opposition party leader criticized her for igniting tensions with China with the earlier remarks. Ties between Japan and China have sunk to the worst level in years after Takaichi said in November that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could bring about a Japanese
The WHO ignored early COVID-19 warnings from Taiwan, US Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O’Neill said on Friday, as part of justification for Washington withdrawing from the global health body. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday said that the US was pulling out of the UN agency, as it failed to fulfill its responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO “ignored early COVID warnings from Taiwan in 2019 by pretending Taiwan did not exist, O’Neill wrote on X on Friday, Taiwan time. “It ignored rigorous science and promoted lockdowns.” The US will “continue international coordination on infectious
RSS