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Lee pushes localization, urges resistance to China

Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) yesterday criticized the administration for being inconsistent in its policies and deviating from the localization path, thwarting the democratic achievement made over the years.

"It is regretful that pro-unification forces are gaining steam. What is more frustrating is that the administration is weak in upholding national consciousness and its policies are inconsistent," he said.

The best weapon with which to defy China, Lee said, is unity and the cultivation of more young talent who are competent and honest.

"We must deepen democracy and boost the economy. The country's democratic and economic development must be so strong that we can resist China's `united-front' tactic and its ambition to annex Taiwan," he said. "In addition, politicians must have a strong sense of Taiwan consciousness so they can withstand the pressure exerted by Beijing and the pro-unification forces."

Lee made the remarks in a speech to some 2,000 graduates of the Lee Teng-hui Academy at the auditorium of the Aletheia University in Tamsui, Taipei County.

Yesterday marked the third anniversary of the academy.

Since falling ill in March, Lee had not attended any public function. But yesterday, wearing his trademark smile, Lee looked healthy and well-spirited. However, he did not answer any questions from the media.

Pointing out that the nation's biggest crisis is China's ambition to annex Taiwan, Lee said that Taiwan could have been a normal country a long time ago if it were not for China's interference.

"While it is the common responsibility of all Taiwanese to resist China's incursions, it is distressing to see a few pro-unification politicians and media organizations ignore the national interest and collude with Beijing," he said.

Lee cited the examples of former Chinese Nationalist Party chairman (KMT) Lien Chan's (連戰) recent visit to China and the opposition pan-blue parties' plan to steamroll amendments to the Statute Governing the Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (兩岸人民關係條例) through the legislature.

Lien met with Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) last month and led Taiwanese business leaders and businesspeople investing in China to the first "Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT)-Chinese Communist Party Economic and Trade Forum."

Beijing announced 15 favorable measures at the forum. The opposition camp has since been pushing for the opening of direct cross-strait flights and the deregulation of Chinese tourism to Taiwan, forcing the government into a difficult position.

As the amendments to the statute would allow direct transportation links with China, Lee said that the incident only reflected the pan-blue camp's true intention of working with Beijing to change "one country on either side of the Taiwan Strait" to "one country on both sides of the Taiwan Strait."

As cooperation between Beijing and the pan-blue alliance has affected Taiwan's survival, Lee called on the public to stand up against the pro-unification forces and the administration to map out a well-thought-out strategy to counter the problem.
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