MAY 2013

DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

DPP holds National Party Congress with New Green Politics, Taiwan Up! as theme
The DPP held a National Party Congress on May 25 with the theme of New Green Politics, Taiwan Up! DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang said that having attended many party congresses, he was happy to see the attendance this time by many participants, each respecting the different opinions within the party, and lastly using the democratic method of voting to exercise the partys decision-making. The DPP is already employing realistic actions to practice democracy and to live under a democratic lifestyle, he said. Below are further remarks by Chair Su: There are two major challenges that the DPP will face in the upcoming period. First, this year we must promote the public to vote on the referendum to stop construction on the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant. Second, in 2014, we will be campaigning for the 7-in-1 elections. I hope that all our colleagues can combine our forces together to exert all our efforts in standing to-

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 gether with the people. I hope that the people give us their strengths to continue our green and quality governance. This past week, Taiwan has seen plenty of rain, but today, as we hold a National Party Congress, we saw a clear sky, just like 26 years ago, having gone through 28 years of Martial Law, with the efforts of many of our fellow members, we ended the ban on political party formation and the DPP was founded. We faced our first elections three years later in 1989, participating in the first local county and city elections and achieving six seats total. Afterwards, the DPP was deeply rooted and growing its representatives in townships, even at the Legislative Yuan. In 1997, the DPP garnered 12 seats in the county governor and city mayoral elections, leading to winning the presidential election of the year 2000. I would like to thank all the Taiwanese people for giving opportunities to the DPP. The DPP has worked hard, but just like the weather these days, there are rainy times. The DPP has enjoyed the glory of success as well as the pains of failure. However, just like success, failure makes individuals grow, and for the DPP, this has been a learning process. Even though the DPP has six seats in county and

MAY 2013 city government, and it is in opposition at the Legislative Yuan, we have not lost our fighting spirit. The performance from our county governors and city mayors has been excellent. Our legislators have received good reviews from all kinds of mediums. From the assurance given by the public to the DPP, we can see that green governance is a guarantee on quality. Upcoming, there are two major battles the DPP will face. First, we must promote our standpoint concerning the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant. According to the referendum law, at least 9 million people must vote on it to become valid. On one hand, the DPP Legislative Caucus will push a bill banning the use of nuclear power and amend a birdcage referendum law; and on another hand, the DPP will exert all its efforts in mobilizing the people nationwide to stand against nuclear power so that more than 74% of the public can step out and achieve a victory in the referendum to be held at the end of this year. Our second major task will be the 7-in-1 election in 2014, which will also include elections for mayor of townships, city councilors, etc. Today, we have many issues to discuss at this party congress and most of them are related to this upcoming election. It is imperative that the DPP start its early planning, especially implementing a flexible endorsement system. It is important that everyone can work together. Like the DPP before, we must start from the grassroots in order to win majority at the Legislative Yuan and the presidential elections in 2016. We are all from the same party and we all have pledged allegiance to this green flag. I look forward to seeing everyone giving their hardest to stand together with the people. Lets give the people the guarantee of our quality green government and be able to achieve a victory!

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MAY 2013

President Mas Fifth Year in Office: Stop the Waste of Resources, Promote Taiwans Progress, DPPs Eight Suggestions
On May 20 this month, the nation saw the fifth year in office for President Ma Ying-jeou. Chair Su Tseng-chang held a press conference to go over his past performance, and to give his administration eight suggestions, hoping that they can stop the waste of resources and promote Taiwans progress. First, we request stopping construction on the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant: From numerous public surveys, we can see that more than 50% of the Taiwanese population will participate in the referendum, and those that support ending construction on the power plant surpass 80%. Public opinion regarding this issue is very clear, and we hope that President Ma immediately puts a stop to the construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, stopping the waste of administrative resources, turning around and focusing on the economy and fulfilling the expectations from the people. Second, we demand the government to make a review of the economy and to issue a long-term economy recovery plan: The economy is recovering globally. The most important phase for Taiwan is to immediately engage in an overall economic review, including industry sectors, human resources and national competitiveness, evaluating the quality of life and the need for readjustments and lastly, producing a long-term economy recovery plan. Third, we want a focus on high quality education and to accomplish the 12-year compulsory education system: The highest priority of the government should be to implement the 12-year compulsory education system. The first major task would be to raise the quality of high school education, which would grant fair education nationwide and reduce deficiencies as well as raise the competitiveness of our future workforce. Fourth, we demand reform in retirement benefits: Our pension reform system cannot be delayed any longer because our current debt stands at 15 trillion. This is not fair, and much more, this cannot be sustained. We are requesting a system that can be managed in the future, ensuring that fairness is taken as a guiding principle. We are willing to collectively shoulder the responsibility and to cooperate between different parties as well as with the participation from different sectors of society in order to create a retirement system that is fair for all. Fifth, we request a 10 Year Plan: In 2007, the government had initiated a 10 year plan, in which the necessary budget and allocation had all been drafted, but after the change in government, the plan was shelved and substituted with a long-term insurance plan. Now the people of Taiwan are getting older and the most basic task in these ten years is to provide elderly care, so we are asking the government to review the reasons for delay and to immediately start the process of assisting the elderly in need. Six, we ask the executive power to conduct a new review on urban planning: Taiwans sustainable development is extremely important, and the administrative division must be readjusted at once. We saw that before 2010, Taiwan had two municipalities and 23 counties/ cities. For political reasons, President Mas administration finished an urban planning renewal, PAGE 3

 in which after 2014, Taiwan will be under 6 municipalities and 16 counties/cities. We believe the differences between the urban and rural areas will become even greater, and the allocation of resources will be too imbalanced. Seven, we demand this administration to address corruption seriously and implement judicial reform: This approach is most necessary for governments to win the trust of the people and to gain credibility. Over the years, the publics distrust of the judiciary has reached to more than 70%. We ask the government to immediately sweep out corruption, reform the judiciary in order to maintain credibility of the government and to regain the peoples trust.

MAY 2013 Eight, we ask the government to revive foreign relations and strengthen national defense: In these past years, we have seen the country employing a diplomatic truce strategy in its foreign relations, and we have also seen the weakening of our national defense. We demand the strengthening of our national defense in order for Taiwan to possess its own self-defense capabilities so that the people can feel protected living at home.

DPP denounces visits by Taiwan retired generals to China

In regards to Taiwan high-ranking retired generals returned visits to China, DPP spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien criticized the ambivalence of President Ma, who is the armys highest commander. According to Mr. Lin, the generals were also key members of President Mas rally group during the 2012 re-election campaign. Mr. Lin called for Ma to be responsible and make clear his administrations standpoints, especially in denouncing and punishing the visits to China by Taiwanese retired generals, whose visits could jeopardize national security. Mr. Lin said that by planning to visit some of Chinas most important military institutes, including the Central Military Commission, General Staff Department and the Peoples Liberation Army Beijing Command, these retirees have breached the acceptable non-government interactions standards. A recent report by the US Department of Defense pointed out the continuous threat of China to Taiwan. It is concerning especially this would not harbor good feelings for our hard-fighting soldiers when seeing that their previous superiors are being courted by a national enemy Mr. Lin said. Mr. Lin further indicated that it would be also harmful to their own image as well as to the armys morale when Taiwan retired generals behave against the expectations of the people in Taiwan given that they were well-paid in their positions and continue to be generously pensioned by taxpayers money.

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MAY 2013

DPP Chair Su Tseng-changs remarks at over the shooting incident by the Philippines Coast Guard of a Taiwanese sherman
In regards to our country granting the government of the Philippines 72 hours to respond over the May 9 shooting by the Philippine Coast Guard of the Taiwanese fishing boat, resulting in the death of a Taiwanese fisherman, Chair Su Tseng-chang reiterated that the DPP fully supports President Mas Administration in demanding the Philippine government to uncover the real culprits, issue an apology, provide compensation and initiate negotiation over fishing rights. Chair Su also appealed President Mas administration to strengthen sea rescue mechanisms, and pay closer attention to sea defenses since the defense budget has been severely cut in the recent years. Chair Su said he believes that the Philippine Coast Guard unreasonably shot the Taiwanese fishing boat, killing a Taiwanese national. Upon first instance, he immediately issued, on behalf of the DPP, his support of President Ma on this issue. Even though we are an opposition party, but in this instance, our views towards the external world are one, he said. Chair Su said he wishes to offer suggestions to President Ma on how to deal with this kind of incident. He said that firstly, the government must strengthen normal sea rescue mechanisms because as seen in this case, the emergency response from the government was too late, and further reflection is needed in the regular training of sea rescue mechanisms. On the second suggestion, Chair Su said that in the recent years, the government has severely cut the national defense budget, leaving deficiencies in the normal activities of the navy and the coast guard. He lastly urged President Mas Administration to increase the budget for its maritime defense in order to guarantee the countrys national interests and to ensure our sovereignty. Chair Su also appealed the government of the Philippines to immediately offer their explanations to Taiwan, using dialogue and peace to resolve this issue. He also urged the Philippine government to assume their responsibility over this incident in order to satisfy the collective interests of the people from both countries. After the Central Standing PAGE 5 Committee meeting on May 15, Chair Su said that the Philippines government response has left many in Taiwan very unsatisfied, especially over the lack of sincerity in its apology without offering specifics over compensation. He said that he wanted to emphasize that the long-term relationship between the people of the Philippines and Taiwan have been very friendly and close, including trade, tourism and workers exchange. He appealed the people of Taiwan not to take any unfriendly actions towards Philippine nationals residing in Taiwan. However, when we deal with the government of the Philippines, we must stand strong in our demands because this incident was carried out by an official of the Philippine government, and we must ask them to offer an explanation so that the victims family and the rest of the Taiwanese people can have closure, he said.

MAY 2013

DPP holds rst China Affairs Committee Meeting, announces complete list of members
On May 9, the DPPs held its first China Affairs Committee Meeting. Chair Su Tseng-chang delivered the meetings opening remarks. Also present were Committee Members Frank Hsieh (Former Premier) You Shyi-kun (Former Premier); Tsai Ing-Wen (Former DPP Chair); Ker Chian-ming (DPP Legislative Caucus Convener); Chen Chu (Greater Kaohsiung Mayor); Lai Ching-teh (Greater Tainan Mayor); Chiu Yi-ren (Former National Security Advisor); and Wu Nai-ren (Former DPP Secretary-General). Below are the remarks made by Chair Su Tsengchang: This is the first meeting held by the DPPs China Affairs Committee. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the DPP Central Standing Committee for their approval and to all the China Affairs Committee members for their willingness to participate. This also includes the staff and other members for their involvement in the preparation months before and leading to today. Sitting here together today, the objective before us is very clear, and the responsibility is immense. What we must do is to protect Taiwans core values, to develop the best benefits for Taiwan, and we must also find the largest consensus for our future in the cross straits. For a long period of time, China has placed Taiwan in a very clear framework with a definite agenda, and they have set out step by step to fulfill this plan. This has caused the China factor to enter and exert greater influence on Taiwan. Facing China, we must enthusiastically build our self-confidence, but facing up to Chinas set agenda, Taiwan cannot afford to remain passive. We must convert passiveness into initiative, and outside of Chinas framework, we must take the initiative and issue our own topics into an agenda that should be Taiwan-focused. This must be done in order to reduce the interference and influence that China has on Taiwan. We also wish to strengthen Taiwans space for its own decision-making. As we have already held many preparations and discussions with experts and academics from different fields, leading to todays first meeting, we have issued a Taiwans China Agenda. This is a new type of framework and thinking involving: how to persist and make the Taiwan Dream a reality, how to open a new order for cross strait interaction and how to contribute to regional stability and peace. This is not something that can be accomplished by one person or political party alone. This requires that Taiwan entirely faces up to this serious issue. For this reason, our goal in creating the China Affairs Committee is to provide a platform of dialogue and understanding, inviting everyone to participate instead of limiting it to inside the party only. We have also invited mayors and governors from cities and counties, legislators and opinion leaders. We also wish to include the power of society to engage the public in discussion in order to create the greatest force for Taiwan to meet China and to welcome the rest of the world. Once again, I would to express my deepest gratitude to everyone for their involvement in this task. Executive Director of the DPPs Policy Research

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 Committee, Dr. Joseph Jaushieh Wu said that in order to combine the force of civic society, after seeking advice from a multitude of sources, 37 experts have agreed to take part in the DPPs China Affairs Committee. The additional members of the Committee include: Professor Chen Ming-tong (), Na tional Taiwan University, Graduate Institute of National Development; Research Fellow Shih Jun-ji (), Aca demia Sinica, Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences; Assistant Professor Tsai Hung-Jeng ( ), National Sun Yat-Sen University, Department of Sociology; Assistant Professor York W. Chen (), Tamkang University Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies, who will also act as the convener for the Political, Economic, Social and Security Group; Former Legislator Lin Cho-shui (); Former Legislator Chiu Tai-san (); Research Fellow David W.F. Huang ( ) Academia Sinica, Institute of European and American Studies; Associate Professor Tung Li-Wen (), Central Police University, Department of Public Security; Lai I-chung (), Taiwan Thinktank, Member of the Executive Committee; Distinguished Professor Tung Chen-yuan (), National Chengchi University, Graduate Institute of Development Studies; Professor Chiou Jiunn-Rong (), Na tional Central University, Department of Economics; Professor Su Jain-Rong (), National Taipei University, Department of Public Finance; Associate Professor Tao Yi-feng (), National Taiwan University, Department of Political Science; Professor Lee Ming-Chun (), Taiwan

MAY 2013 Society of International Law, Secretary General; Associate Professor Wu Chih-chung ( ), Soochow University, Department of Political Science; Former Veteran Affairs Commission Minister Hu Chen-pu (); Professor Tsai Ming-yen (), National Chung-Hsing University, Graduate Institute of International Politics; Assistant Professor Chiu Chui-cheng ( ), National Quemoy University, Department of International and Mainland China Affairs; Professor Huang-chih Chiang (), National Taiwan University, College of Law; and Professor Ming-sho Ho () National Taiwan University, Department of Sociology.

Spokesperson for the Committee, Mr. Cheng Wen-tsang, said that among the 37 experts, their combined areas of knowledge include political, economic, financial, civic, international affairs, defense and human rights. He also added that in the group, the list also includes former government officials as well as Chinese nationals who are experts on Chinas political conditions and who are willing to provide their assistance in Taiwans China policy formulation. Director of the DPPs China Affairs Department, Mr. Honigmann Hong said that the DPP did not release the full list of names because some participants were unwilling to have their names and positions be known to the public, but they were more than willing to provide their knowledge in China policy formulation. Nevertheless, Mr. Hong said that in the future, if there are new members added to the list, the DPP will release them to the public upon permission by these members.

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MAY 2013

DPP issues Democratic Alliance Concept

The DPP held an Open Studio Series on the topic of foreign relations. The forum was hosted by Mr. Liu Shih-chung, DPP Department of International Affairs Director; Dr. Michael Hsiao, Director of the Institute of Sociology, Academia Sinica; Hsu Szu-Chien, Associate Researcher, Institute of Political Science, Academia Sinica; Former Taiwan Representative to the EU Dr. Michael Kau and Dr. Joseph Wu, DPP Representative to Washington, D.C. and Policy Research Committee Executive Director. The topic of discussion involved the perspectives involved in establishing a democratic alliance in Asia. Remarks by Chair Su Tsengchang: In my February trip to Japan, I raised the concept of a democratic alliance with governing and opposition parties and think tanks in Japan, for which we received wide recognition from the Japanese side. The majority in Japan agreed that the East China Seas Diaoyutai Islands has been, compared to other areas, relatively peaceful as a result of democratic countries identifying with similar values. Even though Taiwan and Japan both have sovereignty claims over these islands, finding regional stability and peace has represented the maximum value for the interests of both countries. It is imperative that disputes over the Diaoyutais be resolved through peaceful dialogue and negotiation so that we can avoid a third party to interfere and to influence the longterm stability of the East China Sea region. From a long-term perspective, Taiwan, Japan, the U.S. and South Korea are all countries with similar values, which is why a democratic alliance should be formed. The democratic alliance can collectively preserve so-called values and interests, ensuring regional peace at the same time. In these past months, the many visitors to the DPP, including U.S. government officials, representatives from the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and members of the U.S. Congress, have all expressed their recognition towards the concept of a democratic alliance. I believe, seeing the powerlessness of the government in their actions, the public and civic society must exert greater power. In these past years, the governments attitude towards handling foreign relations has been different from the past without a unanimous position and creating doubts among countries that share similar values with Taiwan, and this is absolutely unfavorable towards Taiwan. The concept of a democratic alliance is not to get together to create an enemy or target anyone, especially not returning to the ways of the former Cold War period. On the contrary, this is to create an alliance of values, of cooperation and of progress. Besides the regular interaction between civic society, NGOs should also be integrated, and with this kind of close exchange, dialogue and cooperation will develop an even greater force. President Ma Ying-jeou in the past has made different actions, causing external suspicions on whether the cross straits have hand-in-hand joined to protect the Diaoyutai Islands. This has created problems between Taiwan and Japan. Only after President Ma declared and assured that the cross straits will not hand-in-hand join to protect the Diaoyutai Islands, Japan agreed to sign with Taiwan a fishery rights agreement, and we believe this is very good development.

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MAY 2013

Chair Su Tseng-chang plans U.S., Canada trip

On May 28, DPP Representative to Washington, D.C. Dr. Joseph Wu and Director of the Department for International Affairs Shih-chung Liu made a press announcement regarding the upcoming visit by Chair Su Tseng-chang to the U.S. and Canada. Dr. Wu announced that there were three major goals for Chair Sus trip to the Americas this time. He said the first reason was to promote foreign relations between members of congress since there will be a chance for Chair Su to interact with US members of Congress from both the House and Senate. On June 12, there will be a welcome reception at the US Congress. On June 13, Chair Su will speak at a join-session organized by the Brookings Institution and the Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS). Chair Su will also meet with members of the Canadian parliament. The second purpose of this trip, Dr. Wu said, was to strengthen the friendship between Taiwan and the U.S. On June 14, Chair Su will host the inauguration reception of the newly-opened DPP Representative Office in the U.S. The setting up of this office is the realization of the campaign promise made by Chair Su when he ran for the chair position, and it also represents the DPPs commitment to strengthening relationship between both sides, Dr. Wu said. Dr. Wu further added the third purpose of this overseas visit, which is to garner the support of overseas Taiwanese. In every city where it is planned for Chair Su to visit, there will be welcoming receptions hosted by overseas supporters. In regards to the media inquiry on whether the trip was planned to coincide with Chinas leader Xi Jinpings visit to the U.S., Mr. Liu replied that the preparations for this trip has been taking place for over six months already. He further clarified that the timing for this trip was meant to coincide with the first anniversary of Chair Sus chairmanship as well as recent appointments made by US President Obama of new officials in charge of Asian Pacific affairs. Chair Su plans to depart on June 8 to Los Angeles, visit New York on June 9, Houston on June 10, and in Washington, D.C. from June 11 to 14. On June 15, the delegation will arrive at Toronto, Canada and on June 16 to Vancouver. The delegation will return on June 18 to Taiwan. Delegates of the trip include Former Deputy SecretaryGeneral of the National Security Council Mr. Antonio Chiang, Dr. Joseph Wu, Mr. Shih-chung Liu, Director of the Secretariat Mr. Chang Yu-ren and Director of the Survey Center Mr. Wu Hsiang-jung.

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MAY 2013

DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

PUBLISHED BY: Department of International Aairs Democratic Progressive Party 9F, No. 30, Pei-Ping East Road, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: 886-2-2392-9989 ext. 306 Fax: 886-2-2393-0342 Email: foreign@dpp.org.tw Website: http://www.dpp.org.tw

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