Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) said yesterday that nationalism in China would reach its height in 2008 and that Taiwan must be clear about its identity at that time in order to safeguard against a possible Chinese invasion.
Lee made the remarks in an interview with Open weekly magazine that hits newsstands today.
"2008 will be the year when China's nationalism reaches its pinnacle. The dam in Sanxia (
"[China's] aim is to claim Taiwan to be part of China, using this great nationalism," he said.
To prevent Taiwan from being annexed by China, Lee asserted Taiwanese will have to intensify their national recognition by that time, so that the nation will be strong enough to counter China's nationalism.
Lee said he hopes the government will strive to ingrain Taiwan's national recognition into people's minds, so that in six years, 90 percent of the entire population will acknowledge Taiwan to be their homeland.
In Lee's view, the most vital elements for a flourishing country include strong leadership, a clear national identity and sense of purpose, as well as a spirit of unity. Only by clearly establishing these values can the people know what the nation's mission is, he said.
Lee also reiterated his belief that Taiwan and China are two different countries and that their relations should be "special state-to-state" in nature, calling upon Taiwan's citizens to accept the tenet.
Only by reaching such a consensus can Taiwan devise ways to cope with China if were to attack, according to Lee.
Lee also took the opportunity of the interview to proffer advice to President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) in his new role as DPP chairman.
Lee said that Chen should not only take advantage of the new power bestowed upon him, but that he should also work to sharpen his leadership, adding that the biggest crisis faced by the DPP is "a lack of experience."
Lee said jokingly that he would play an eternal "bad cop," mounting pressure on the government until it acts to uphold the people's interests, and that is the purpose of the existence of TSU.
A dauntless critic of the government's policy to open up direct links, Lee said the government should carefully consider the consequences of the policy before succumbing to outside pressure on the matter.
Lee also addressed the issue of the president's proposed cross-party "alliance for national stabilization." Lee compared Chen's plan to his own think tank, the Taiwan Advocates, saying that the group is like the alliance initiative except that it functions behind the scenes.
He said media reports that the group was founded so as to form an alliance behind the scenes, therefore, are accurate.
He called the group a "do tank" and said its mission is to help preserve political stability by assembling a group of talent to work together for the betterment of the country.
He said Taiwan Advocates welcomes the participation of anyone sharing the same political beliefs and is not limited to TSU members.
Tropical Storm Gaemi strengthened into a typhoon at 2pm yesterday, and could make landfall in Yilan County tomorrow, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The agency was scheduled to issue a sea warning at 11:30pm yesterday, and could issue a land warning later today. Gaemi was moving north-northwest at 4kph, carrying maximum sustained winds near its center of up to 118.8kph and gusts of 154.8kph. The circumference is forecast to reach eastern Taiwan tomorrow morning, with the center making landfall in Yilan County later that night before departing from the north coast, CWA weather forecaster Kuan Shin-ping (官欣平) said yesterday. Uncertainty remains and
SEA WARNING LIKELY: The storm, named Gaemi, could become a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, with the Taipei City Government preparing for flooding A tropical depression east of the Philippines developed into a tropical storm named Gaemi at 2pm yesterday, and was moving toward eastern Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Gaemi could begin to affect Taiwan proper on Tuesday, lasting until Friday, and could develop into a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, it said. A sea warning for Gaemi could be issued as early as Tuesday morning, it added. Gaemi, the third tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean this typhoon season, is projected to begin moving northwest today, and be closest to Taiwan on Wednesday or Thursday, the agency said. Today, there would likely
DISRUPTIONS: The high-speed rail is to operate as normal, while several airlines either canceled flights or announced early departures or late arrivals Schools and offices in 15 cities and counties are to be closed today due to Typhoon Gaemi, local governments announced last night. The 15 are: Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan, Tainan, Keelung, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung, as well as Yilan, Hualien, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Lienchiang counties. People should brace for torrential rainfall brought by the storm, with its center forecast to make landfall on the east coast between tonight and tomorrow morning, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The agency issued a sea warning for the typhoon at 11:30pm on Monday, followed by a land warning at 11:30am yesterday. As of
CASUALTY: A 70-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree in Kaohsiung as the premier warned all government agencies to remain on high alert for the next 24 hours Schools and offices nationwide are to be closed for a second day today as Typhoon Gaemi crosses over the nation, bringing torrential rain and whipping winds. Gaemi was forecast to make landfall late last night. From Tuesday night, its outer band brought substantial rainfall and strong winds to the nation. As of 6:15pm last night, the typhoon’s center was 20km southeast of Hualien County, Central Weather Administration (CWA) data showed. It was moving at 19kph and had a radius of 250km. As of 3pm yesterday, one woman had died, while 58 people were injured, the Central Emergency Operation Center said. The 70-year-old