The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) plans a series of activities to solicit support from around the world for the nation's bid to join the UN under the name "Taiwan," including a massive parade in Kaohsiung on Sept. 15.
The plans were drawn up at a DPP Central Standing Committee meeting last Wednesday, in which the committee also announced that it will seek 1.2 million endorsement signatures before Oct. 15 to underscore Taiwan's determination to enter the world body as a full member. The move follows the UN's recent rejection of President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) letter requesting UN membership for the country under the name "Taiwan."
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon rejected the bid on the grounds that UN membership is only granted to sovereign countries and that the UN considers Taiwan "a part of China."
Ban also cited UN Resolution 2758. Passed by the UN General Assembly on Oct. 25, 1971, the resolution expelled "the representatives of [then dictator] Chiang Kai-shek (
However, Chen has argued that this does not mean that China has the right to represent Taiwan at the UN.
Despite the setback, the DPP plans to mobilize people around the world to express their support for Taiwan's bid on Sept. 15. On that day, the party also hopes to attract 50,000 people to a UN bid parade in Kaohsiung.
In addition, the DPP has invited Internet users to submit creative works in support of the bid.
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