New TSU chairman sworn in

Su Chin-chiang (蘇進強) became chairman of the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) at a swearing-in ceremony at the Formosa Regent yesterday afternoon, vowing to make the party a voice for the people of Taiwan.

He also promised to push for enactment of anti-annexation legislation to counter Beijing's proposed anti-secession law.

With the strong backing of the TSU's spiritual leader, former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), Su actually took over the chairmanship two weeks ago from Huang Chu-wen (黃主文).

Huang resigned to take responsibility for the TSU's worse-than-expected performance in last month's legislative elections.

Many prominent political figures attended yesterday's ceremony, including Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), Premier Yu Shyi-kun, Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) and acting Democratic Progressive Party Chairman Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘).

After Su took his oath and promised to hold fast to Lee's political line of pushing for a new constitution and changing the country's official name, Lee delivered a speech urging the TSU to make a comeback under Su's leadership.

He said he expected the party to support political cooperation for the country's development.

"I think cooperation between the ruling party and the opposition parties is imperative at this point since the pan-blue camp retained its majority in the legislative elections," Lee said.

"The aim in establishing the TSU was not to obtain advantages for itself but to help the government stabilize the political situation," he said.

"As long as political cooperation doesn't deviate from the core values of Taiwan, it is not necessary for the TSU to oppose it or envy it," Lee said.

He also said that the TSU has to determine the real reasons for its election setback and examine why its appeals and values have not taken root in order for it to make a fresh start under Su's leadership.

Lee said that while the TSU is a small party, if it works hard to achieve its goals, enhances its activism and works with other pro-independence groups such as Taiwan Advocates, the Lee Teng-hui school and the Taiwan Professors Association, then it will offer a fresh perspective to all the people of Taiwan.

In response to Lee's request that Su exhibit his expertise in national defense and cross-strait issues during his term as TSU chief, Su said that he will lead the party to speak for people.

"The TSU will be a chicken when facing China's ambition of swallowing up Taiwan. We will push an anti-annexation law to counter Beijing's aggression," Su said.

He said the TSU will also work on legislation to ensure the equality of different ethnic groups and protect the rights of farmers and fishermen.

Lee praised Su as "a man who is able to wield both the pen and the sword."

The 52-year old Su was previously secretary-general of the National Cultural Association. A graduate of one of the nation's military academies, Su has served as senior advisor to the National Security Council and as a military affairs analyst at Nanhua University. He is a prolific writer who has written both literary and academic works.