Lu says Taiwan in crisis

Taiwanese must face the confidence and loyalty crisis which currently confronts this country, Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) warned yesterday.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of a forum organized by the World Taiwanese Congress, Lu said the crises facing Taiwan are in five areas: confidence, ethics, loyalty, economy and national security.

Taiwan's businesses and public are losing confidence in the government, and countries around the world are also losing confidence in Taiwan, Lu said.

Many businesses and even government officials are embracing a mentality of "China is large, Taiwan is small, why should we cherish Taiwan?" Lu said.

Lu's dire warnings were a contrast to President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) upbeat speech at the opening ceremony of the forum on Saturday, even though both avoided any direct reference to Taiwan's sovereignty issue.

In contrast with Chen's moderation on cross-strait affairs, Lu has consistently spoken out against China.

Speaking of the economic crisis, Lu said people of Taiwan can no longer "shout the slogans of nation-building with closed eyes." Taiwan must face up to and tackle the new realities, especially that of capital outflow to the other side of the Taiwan Strait, Lu said.

The World Taiwanese Congress was set up in the US in January with the aim of promoting independence for Taiwan.

The congress also organized a rally yesterday in Taipei in support of Taiwan independence and the DPP government.

In her speech yesterday, the outspoken Lu also cited the famous words of Sun Yat-sen (孫逸仙), founding father of the ROC, to boost the morale of the hundreds of participants to the conference.

"The revolution has yet to succeed and all comrades must struggle hard," Lu said.

Lu also complained that the past year had been "sadder than the prison days" even though she followed her conscience in whatever she said and did.

"We cannot be overly optimistic about Taiwan, but instead should use all means possible to save the country from crisis," Lu said. Taiwan has won the "democracy prize" but has not actually received it yet, Lu said.

She also criticized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its failure to score any diplomatic breakthrough over the past year.

Lu also called on all members of the public to act as the ambassadors for their country and attract investment from global conglomerates. In addition, Lu vowed to accelerate the development of offshore islands in the next three years.