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Presidential election 2008: 1 day to go: MAC calls for help in event of violent reaction from China
CAUSE FOR CONCERN:
Chen Ming-tong said he could not predict how China would react if the two referendums on UN membership succeeded
By Shih Hsiu-chuan
STAFF REPORTER
Friday, Mar 21, 2008, Page 3
Mainland Affairs Council Chairman Chen Ming-tong (陳明通) yesterday called on the international community to support Taiwan should the two referendums on Taiwan's membership in the UN, to be held tomorrow, provoke Chinese aggression.
"I cannot predict what Beijing's reaction will be if the referendums pass because [China] is a totalitarian regime. It is not a regime that can be trusted. Look at what happened in Tibet," Chen said at a news conference at the Government Information Office.
He told foreign journalists, many of whom are in Taiwan to cover tomorrow's presidential election, that the referendums were a peaceful means of expressing the general will of Taiwanese for representation at the UN.
The Democratic Progressive Party has initiated a referendum on joining the UN using the name "Taiwan," while the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) has proposed "rejoining" the world body using the country's official name -- the Republic of China -- or any other "practical" title.
Chen said the referendums were not intended to change the country's official title, declare independence or provoke China.
He said China's bloody crackdown on Tibetans would sway Taiwanese voters as the incident had reinforced public concerns about the Beijing regime.
Chen said the international community should treat China and Taiwan fairly and equally. He said Taiwan's democracy could serve as an example for China.
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