Lee says China meddling in Taipei mayor election

Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) yesterday accused China of interfering with the nation's domestic affairs by threatening Taiwanese businessmen if they endorse Lee Ying-yuan (李應元), the DPP's candidate for the December Taipei mayoral election.

"Taiwan's businessmen have been saying recently that China is demanding that they not support Lee Ying-yuan in the Taipei mayoral race," Lee said at a gathering to celebrate lawyers' day.

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) also attended the rally.

"Beijing has also used [the election] as an opportunity to ask Taiwanese businessmen to declare that they support `one China' and oppose Taiwan's independence," Lee said.

Taiwan's businessmen say the Chinese government will give them better treatment if they agree to cooperate, otherwise, they'll have their factories inspected and checkbooks audited, Lee added.

With the mayoral election approaching, the DPP is worried that Lee's popularity lags behind his rival, Ma Ying-jeou, (馬英九) the KMT incumbent.

The former president's statement is believed to be a ploy to boost the sagging popularity of the DPP candidate.

Ma beat Chen, then the DPP's candidate, by a narrow margin four years ago, partly due to Lee Teng-hui's backing.

But this year the former president has switched his support to Lee Ying-yuan after he split from the KMT following Lien Chan's (連戰) defeat in the 2000 presidential election. Lien is now the KMT chairman.

The retired president, who is said to influence around 5 percent of Taipei voters, has promised to stump for Lee Ying-yuan.

This is not the first time Taiwanese leaders have accused Beijing of meddling in the nation's politics.

After the legislative election last year, Chen said that during the campaign Beijing had provided financial support to certain opposition candidates.

Despite strained relations with Beijing, China remains the first choice for investment for Taiwan's businessmen due to its cheap labor and common language. But Lee Teng-hui has strongly opposed the "China fever."

He warned yesterday that China's ambition to bring Taiwan into its fold never ceases. Taiwan would risk losing its lifeline if Taiwanese continue to invest in China irrespective of the reality, he said.

Taiwan's mass investment in China has greatly impacted both the nation's economy and its politics, Lee said.

Economically, the investment has caused an exodus of talent and capital, whereas on the political front, Taiwanese are encountering a grave identity crisis.

He urged the people to bravely "walk our own path, the path different from the one of China," echoing Chen's recent rhetoric.