Taiwan cannot afford to be divided on issues such as the globalizing economy, national security concerns and building a constructive relationship with China, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday.
“The rise of Taiwan identity should be seen as a force for bringing people together, without exclusion, to build trust among our own people, and most importantly, as a way to unite the people of Taiwan together,” Tsai said. “It is this collective power that we will need in facing the many challenges we have ahead of us.”
Tsai made the remarks at an event yesterday in Taipei held to mark the party’s 22nd anniversary. There were around 40 diplomats and foreign representatives from more than 30 embassies and representative offices at the event.
Tsai said that Taiwanese identity should be used to unite the public and to mitigate ethnic and social tensions caused by past political confrontations, rather than driving people apart.
Tsai made the remarks at a policy briefing session in which she analyzed the political situation, the DPP’s policies and cross-strait relations.
She also exchanged views with diplomats and foreign representatives posted in Taiwan.
On the sovereignty issue, Tsai said the DPP said that all options were open for consideration, that Taiwanese have the right to make their own decisions and that any decisions should be made solely by Taiwanese.
“Many of us are worried that the strategic shift of the incumbent Taiwan government to prioritize its partnership with China could come at the expense of our external relationships, such as with our friends in the region and around the world,” she said.
Tsai pledged that the DPP would work both in a domestic political context and internationally to ensure that Taiwan’s international ties remain strong.
Saying that the DPP is experiencing the most difficult period in its history, Tsai added that the party was reviewing its organizational structure and its policy priorities in recognition of the need to transform into a modern, competitive political party that is in touch with the needs and aspirations of Taiwanese.
The DPP suffered major defeats in the legislative election in January and presidential election in March, and has also been affected by the investigation into allegations of corruption and money laundering against former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁).
“The revival of the DPP depends not on the failures of the Kuomintang but on our own ability to maximize our strengths while honestly tackling and remedying our mistakes of the past,” Tsai said.
Tsai said the DPP advocates a comprehensive welfare program and that it would emphasize restructuring of the economy to stress innovation and service, providing sufficient jobs to suit the needs of a changing society.
The DPP will continue to pursue greater international space for the country and hopes that this aspiration is understood and supported by the international community, she said.
Meanwhile, because of approaching Typhoon Jangmi, the party decided to postpone a picnic — originally scheduled to take place at Yuanshan Park today — to Saturday and a beach cleaning activity in Bali Township (八里), Taipei County, from tomorrow to Sunday.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY JIMMY CHUANG
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