Prominent Taiwanese call election candidates to task

Three figures from academic, art and industrial circles yesterday published a newspaper advertisement urging presidential candidates to put an end to mud-slinging in their election campaigns and confront weighty issues that concern Taiwan's future.

Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh (李遠哲), Cloud Gate Dance Theater's artistic director Lin Hwai-min (林懷民) and Formosa Plastics Group chairman Wang Yung-ching (王永慶) co-signed a half-page advertisement in a Chinese-language newspaper stating their perspectives on the upcoming presidential elections.

The advertisement starts off with the following declaration: "Our solemn statement regarding the presidential election consists of four major topics: the value of democracy, nation-building related to international economics, international relations and the call for respectful election campaigns."

"Within the past few months, we have been saddened to witness the various election campaign activities. By co-signing this advertisement, we hope our statement will have a positive effect on the future of Taiwan," the advertisement reads.

The signatories urged candidates to stop their abuse of democracy. "Although democracy is not the perfect political system, it manages to minimize bloodshed and places its focus on the people. However, we see nothing just and rational in these election campaigns, only negative literature and word wars. After four years of political wrangling the situation is only deteriorating. We believe such a regression is an abuse of democracy and shows contempt for the entire population of Taiwan," the advertisement states.

It also urges the candidates to devise strategies to increase Tai-wan's competitive edge in the ever-changing international economy. In addition, the advertisement also promotes peaceful cross-strait and international relations.

"Taiwan's prosperous economy and trade safeguard our prominence in the international community; therefore peaceful international relations, including our relationship with China, should be the candidates' foremost concern," according to the advertisement.

The trio also calls for a fair and respectful election campaign.

"For the sake of our country, the candidates should overlook their enmity and hold election campaigns that involve depth and respect," the advertisement reads.