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Commentator says DPP should not reject Constitution

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration must refrain from rejecting out of hand the idea of the nation being called the "Republic of China" (ROC) to encourage identification with Taiwan, a Chinese democracy activist said yesterday.

Paul Lin (林保華), a frequent commentator on Chinese affairs, said that the DPP administration might want to respect the historical reality that the ROC does exist and recognize the ROC Constitution.

"By so doing, those who identify with the ROC could see you as an ally, reduce their animosity and eventually listen to you," Lin said.

Lin made the remarks while addressing the monthly Dr. Sun Yat-sen memorial meeting at the Presidential Office yesterday morning.

As yesterday marked the 59th anniversary of the implementation of the ROC Constitution, Lin said that the document requires a major overhaul so that Taiwan can move toward becoming a normal country.

"No matter how good a country's Constitution is, the key lies in how it is implemented," he said. "China's Constitution concretely stipulates the fundamental rights and duties of its citizens, but none of them is put into practice."

Lin said that the ROC Constitution is not perfect for it was frozen in April 1948 and replaced by the Temporary Provisions Effective during the Period of National Mobilization for the Suppression of the Communist Rebellion (動員勘亂時期臨時條款) four months after the Constitution had gone into effect.
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