Pro-independence groups seek referendum

Saying the ROC flag and the national anthem are illegal, leaders of pro-independence groups yesterday called for a referendum on a new flag, anthem and official name for the nation.

"Our national flag and national anthem are the KMT's party flag and anthem. They are not our national flag and anthem. The Republic of China is not Taiwan, either," said Peter Wang (王獻極), coordinator of the Alliance to Campaign for Rectifying the Name of Taiwan.

Wang made the remarks at a press conference held to support Secretary-General to the President Chen Shih-meng (陳師孟), who on Monday said that "the ROC flag does not equal the ROC."

Chen's remarks have sparked criticism from the blue camp.

KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) said Chen's remarks show the DPP administration's ignorance and asked President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to replace Chen Shih-meng.

"In 1913, the nationalist government's senate in Nanjing voted for a five-color flag as the national flag of the Republic of China. The five colors are red, yellow, blue, white and black," said Shew Down-kwen (許登崑), chairperson of the Mainlander Association for Taiwan Independence.

According to Shew, the five colors represent the five major ethnic groups in China, adding that the five-color flag was the official flag of the ROC.

"However, the KMT decided to replace the five-color flag with its own party flag in 1924. The party flag is now our national flag," Shew said. "Therefore, our present national flag is not a legal one."

Shew also denounced KMT Legislator Hung Chiu-chu (洪秀柱), who branded Chen Shih-meng as a national traitor for his remarks.

"The lawmaker seemed to defend the dignity of the national flag, which symbolizes the country. But she never showed any respect for the president, who also symbolizes the nation," Shew said.

At the press conference, World Taiwanese Congress Secretary-General Lin Yu-shin (林又新) claimed to represent overseas Taiwanese in backing Chen Shih-meng's remarks.

"I don't think there is anything wrong with Chen Shih-meng's remarks. Besides, the national flag only caused fear in the hearts of those who were exiled during the era of White Terror," Lin said.

"The name `Chinese Taipei' for Taiwan goes absolutely nowhere in the international arena. Why not simply call Taiwan `Taiwan?'" Lin said.

Hsiao Kuan-yu (蕭貫譽), a member of the TSU, praised Chen Shih-meng's courage and said Taiwan should not be called the ROC.

"When the ROC was established in 1912, Taiwan was under Japan's colonization. The ROC at that time did not have any power over Taiwan," Hsiao said.

"The nationalist government retreated to Taiwan after losing the mainland to the communists. Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石), in a speech delivered in 1950, said the ROC had perished," Hsiao added.

Hsiao urged the government to hold a referendum to let the people decide on a new name, national flag and national anthem.