At its special national congress held yesterday, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) passed a new Resolution on Ethnic Diversity and National Unity, committing the party to promoting ethnic harmony and consistent national identification. It also reached a consensus that direct election by the party membership should determine its chairman in the event that the president steps down from that post.
"The Resolution on Ethnic Diversity and National Unity not only demonstrates the DPP's determination and sincerity in promoting ethnic harmony, but also marks the country's future direction and goals," DPP chairman and President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said in his speech yesterday.
Chen noted that in his May 20 inauguration speech, he said that current Taiwanese society is beset with serious challenges relating to ethnicity and national identification which people cannot ignore.
"On those two issues, the DPP has been seeking active and effective ways of reconciling tensions between ethnic groups," Chen said. "Ethnic diversity is the most precious asset that Taiwan possesses and we have to learn to respect differences."
"In fact, whether you identify with Taiwan or the Republic of China, [reconciling tensions] would achieve the same goal of defending the country's security and essential dignity," Chen said.
"We are willing to make a commitment that the DPP will understand and respect differences between ethnic groups with humility and tolerance, and work hard to find the common denominator in national identification that Hoklo, Hakka, mainlander and indigenous people can all accept."
According to the resolution, any DPP member who issues ethnically discriminatory remarks or takes any such actions will be condemned and disciplined.
Moreover, Chen said, the Cabinet will call a national meeting on ethnic and cultural development in October with the aim of defusing misunderstanding and boosting ethnic harmony through dialogue and consultation.
As the ruling party, Chen said, the DPP will be more humble and inclusive in dealing with ethnic problems.
The new resolution is the third that the party has enacted, after the "Resolution on Taiwan's Future" passed in 1999 and the "Resolution on Creating a New Vista for Taiwan's Economy" passed in 2001. The three resolutions have a status equivalent to the party's charter.
In addition to the new resolution, Chen said, the Executive Yuan will hold a conference on the development of ethnic cultures next month to begin carrying out the party's promises.
Meanwhile, the DPP also passed an amendment to the party's charter that regulates how the party chairman will be selected.
Party members will vote directly for a new chairman if the President is unable to serve in that post.
According the charter amendment, if the DPP is in power, the President will serve as the DPP's chairman.
The vice president, premier, presidential office secretary-general and legislative caucus leader will serve on the party's central standing committee.
If the DPP is not the ruling party, direct election by the party membership will determine its chairman.
Although several DPP members voiced their opposition to the change and asked Chen to stay in the chairman's office, the amendment eventually passed, with applause.
"The DPP is a party that values democracy, and it must embody this belief in all of its reforms," Chen said.
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