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Lee wants to take message of democracy to China

National-policy adviser Alice King, right, and former president Lee Teng-hui attend a symposium yesterday to discuss influential books. PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES

Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) said he would preach the virtues of Taiwan's democracy and freedom to China if one day he should be invited to talk with Beijing.

"[If I were to be invited to talk to the Chinese government,] the issue would not hinge on unification. What I would discuss with them is the democracy and liberty enjoyed by Taiwan. ? Taiwan and China should be treated equally," Lee said.

Lee made the remarks while answering questions following a symposium organized by the Tokyo Foundation, where Lee shared with the public his thoughts on books that had affected him the most.

The seminar, held in Japanese, was hosted by Nakajima Mineo, the former president of the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. Other attendees included Tokyo-based national-policy adviser Alice King (金美齡) and Kimindo Kusaka (日下公人), president of the Tokyo Foundation.

When questioned by an audience member about what Taiwan's gemeinschaft [fellowship] of destiny referred to, Lee said it means that: "Taiwanese are all the same, irrespective of when they immigrated to Taiwan." Lee had coined the term during his presidency.

"There should not be any difference [in terms of who should be considered Taiwanese.] Those who came after 1945 or those who came some 400 years ago should all be considered Taiwanese. [The notion] can't be further distinguished," he said, adding that this is what he called the concept of "new Taiwanese."

The former president also restated the importance of Taiwanese being their own master by fully understanding the nation's history and geography with an aim to figure out what Taiwan's identity should be.

He said that although Taiwan has gained democracy and freedom, Taiwanese often forget that they are already the masters of their own house.

This lack of self-confidence, he said, can be improved not only through the establishment of sound political systems, but also through the "inner revolution" brought about by a real understanding of Taiwan's identity.

One way to end Taiwanese confusion over identity, according to Lee, is through the reform of textbooks where the history and geography of the nation should receive greater emphasis.

Lee encouraged Taiwanese people to bravely speak their minds and get over the fear caused by the White Terror era, when Taiwanese were deprived of freedom of speech.

In front of an audience of thousands, Lee spoke in fluent Japanese about his youth.

He said that when he was young, his favorite books were Faust by Goethe, Monks and His Disciples by Japanese author Kurato Momozo and Clothes Philosophy, a chapter from Sartor Resartus [The Tailor Retailored] by Thomas Carlyle.

He said that his values were greatly influenced particularly by Carlyle, who helped him learn how to face difficulties and search for the meaning of life from hardships.
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