Taiwan Advocates, a think tank founded by former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), is to hold its 10th anniversary fundraising party on Aug. 27 and is inviting heavyweight Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members and leaders of local groups to attend.
Lee founded Taiwan Advocates in 2001 with the aim of promoting democracy in Taiwan, reinforcing national identification of Taiwanese and increasing self-governance and self-confidence in the public. A key think tank for groups seeking to promote awareness of local issues, it has held many seminars on the impact of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed by Taiwan and China in June last year and how Taiwan should have its own constitution.
It has also published books on subjects such as holding a referendum on a new Constitution and Taiwan’s aims in the 21st century.
The goal of the fundraiser will not only be to deepen “Taiwan’s subjective awareness,” but also to help realize Lee’s slogan of “dumping [President] Ma [Ying-jeou (馬英九)] to save Taiwan” and attain the goal of a second “transition of political parties.”
Lee’s indictment last month on corruption charges for embezzling state funds has lead many local leaders to voice concerns that the former president was wronged.
In light of the upcoming elections, Lee said in his invitation letter, one of which was sent to DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), that the time had come to put words into action.
To realize the goal of a second transition, Lee said he would continue to fight and hoped Taiwan Advocates would be supported by all sectors.
TRANSLATED BY JAKE CHUNG, STAFF WRITER
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