Tue, Apr 12, 2005 page3

• DPP chair presides over change

  Su Tseng-chang took over as Democratic Progressive Party chairman in February. Since then, much has changed in cross-strait relations and domestic political alliances. Su sat down with `Taipei Times' staff reporter Jewel Huang recently and spoke about pan-blue leadership visits to China, whether he would be willing to take a trip across the Taiwan strait himself, as well as his goals for a trip to the US planned for this summer

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  Taipei Times: The march on March 26 successfully drew about 1 million people on to the streets to protest China's "Anti-Secession" Law. What kind of influence will the demonstration have on relations between Taiwan and China?

  Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌): I think China's Anti-Secession Law suggests that totalitarian and autocratic China is attempting to exploit legal clauses that stipulate the use of "non-peaceful means" to cope with democratic and peace-loving Taiwan. That law is a part of China's legal war -- one of its three wars that aim to annex Taiwan.

  After the Anti-Secession Law was passed, all kinds of surveys showed the people of Taiwan had strong antipathy toward the law. One poll found that as many as 93 percent of those surveyed conveyed opposition to China's law.

  

  DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang speaks during an interview last Thursday at the party's headquarters.

  PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES

  This is the reason why we could successfully call on about 1 million people to take to Taipei's streets to protest the Anti-Secession Law in the space of only two weeks.

  The March 26 march has demonstrated the resolution and courage of the Taiwanese people, and the world heard our voices. The march set a record and once again proved Taiwan is a mature and democratic country.

  TT: A succession of significant political incidents took place last month -- the meeting between President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) on March 4, the passage of China's Anti-Secession Law on March 14, the massive march on March 26 and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Vice Chairman Chiang Pin-kun's (江丙坤) visit to China on March 28. It seems that two schools of thought on independence or unification are wrestling with each other. What attitude do you think the DPP should adopt toward China at this point?

  Su: Taiwan is an independent country that enjoys sovereignty and we have held democratic presidential elections three times since 1996. The people of Taiwan have a strong identification with their own country and more and more people recognize that they are Taiwanese, not Chinese.

  I think the dispute about Taiwan's independence or unification with China is not a focal point with the public anymore. All kinds of polls show that more and more people recognize they are Taiwanese, not Chinese.

  What we should highlight at this moment is to call on all the people of Taiwan to unite together when facing China's threats and stop internal conflicts. I think the Chen-Soong meeting eased the political division to a certain degree.

  TT: In regard to pan-blue leaders' pilgrimages to China, the Presidential Office, the Executive Yuan and the DPP reached a seven-point conclusion. Do you think the DPP and the government should continue to show goodwill to China or draw back?

  Su: I think goodwill should be reciprocal, as should cross-strait interaction. Although Taiwan has continuously shown goodwill toward China and has been restrained in response to its provocations and suppression in the international community, China has remained impervious and even passed the so-called Anti-Secession Law. China's overbearing action is an admission that it is the real troublemaker.

  Although the government will not resume the "no haste, be patient" policy implemented by former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), I would like to urge the pan-blue leaders who are going to visit China not to sacrifice the nation's interests for their own political gain.

  I think Chiang committed two grave mistakes in his trip to China: [First,] signing the so-called "10-point agreement" with the Chinese Communist Party is an action that has to be authorized by the government, yet Chiang did it without official authorization. Ironically enough, what Chiang did in China violated the laws that were enacted by the KMT when it was in power.

  In 1993, when KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) served as premier, he proclaimed publicly that China's proposal of "party-to-party" negotiations was a plot to degrade Taiwan's sovereignty and denounced it as showing evil intent.

  However, the current situation has totally changed. Lien himself will soon go to Beijing and he has bluntly said he will not hold discussions with the president before he leaves.

  The second mistake of Chiang's trip was that he left just two days after the March 26 protest, which gave the wrong message to China and the world that Taiwan didn't unanimously oppose the Anti-Secession Law and that many different groups were competing to seek cooperation with the Chinese Communist Party.

  In fact, the aftermath of the Anti-Secession Law is gradually becoming apparent. Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp founder Hsu Wen-lung's (許文龍) open letter praising Beijing's Anti-Secession Law is just the initial stage of China using its economic power to force Taiwanese businessmen to give in.

  To protect his workers, Hsu had no choice but to issue a statement going against his life-long beliefs. China is now using the same strategy toward farmers in southern Taiwan. First they offer favors, but as soon as you are dependent on its market, China will force you to be at its beck and call. It is an economic war and a unification war.

  The seven-point conclusion reached by the Presidential Office, the Executive Yuan and the DPP recently did not resolve to stop cross-strait interaction or close Taiwan's door to China. To combat China's unification war, the government will enhance its management of Taiwanese investment in China.

  TT: Many countries have urged Taiwan and China to resume dialogue and increase mutual understanding to ease regional tension. At this point, the leaders of the pan-blue camp, Lien and Soong, have shown a lot of interest in going to China and talking to high-ranking officials. In response to the "China fever" that has recently swept the nation's opposition parties, what are the points that the pan-blue leaders should keep in mind during their time in China?

  Su: I urge the pan-blue leaders to give Taiwan's interests top priority and use public opinion as the basis of their negotiations with Chinese officials. Pan-blue leaders should not fawn over China and utilize China's power to increase its political bargaining chips in Taiwan.

  According to current law, there is no problem with the pan-blue leaders visiting China. But when it comes to signing a contract or any political exchanges, they have to consider the laws and cannot sacrifice the rights and interests of the 23 million people of Taiwan.

  TT: If the Beijing authorities also invite you to visit China, will you accept the invitation?

  Su: I won't. I don't think the timing is appropriate for me to go to China at this moment. Not until Beijing shows sincerity about resolving the problems caused by the Anti-Secession Law.

  I won't visit China if the term "non-peaceful means" that appears in the Anti-Secession Law isn't deleted; not until China shows respect for Taiwan and is willing to interact with Taiwan on an equal basis will I go to China.

  If they [Chinese officials] really want to invite me to China, they have to respect my status as DPP chairman. I would not accept an invitation from China that addresses me using the name "lawyer Su."

  TT: Recently China launched an anti-Japan movement that has now escalated. Since Taiwan has complex historical and political links with both countries, what role should it play?

  Su: China's actions once again prove that it is the cause of regional tension in Asia.

  In contrast to China, Taiwan has contributed a lot to regional stability and has helped other countries that are in need. Taiwan's efforts should be recognized by the international community and international organizations such as the World Health Organization should open their doors to Taiwan as soon as possible.

  TT: Can you talk about your schedule for a trip to the US? When will you go and what is your goal?

  Su: American Institute in Taiwan Director Douglas Paal welcomed me to visit the US when I took up the DPP chairmanship. The US is the most important friend of Taiwan and the DPP values the relationship with the US very much. I will work to establish a smooth channel of communication between the DPP and the US, creating comprehensive interaction with it and helping the DPP to step onto the international stage.

  As DPP chairman, I might have more space than President Chen to interact with US officials and I will take the opportunity and try my best to fulfill my mission. My trip to the US might be in the summer, after the National Assembly representatives are elected on May 14.

  TT: Speaking of that election, the PFP and the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) have said they no longer support constitutional amendments agreed to last August in the legislature. What is the DPP's reaction to the PFP and TSU's change? Are you optimistic about the DPP's performance in the election?

  Su: No matter what their reasons are, the PFP and the TSU cheated people and broke their promise to voters. How could they say "yes" last year and say "no" this year? They are simply putting political gain above the nation's development, which is the last thing the DPP would do. The DPP is consistent in its support for constitutional reform and will never change.

  The DPP is the only [party offering] reform and progression and I believe people will appreciate this fact.
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