XDPP CELEBRATES 20
TH

 ANNIVERSARY…………1 October 2006

XDPP RAISES THREE

NO’S...........………....3

 XTHE RISE OF
DEMOCRACY : A FORCE
FOR ENDURING GLOBAL
PEACE........................4

democracy


&


A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY THE DPP’S

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
progress
DPP CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY

The Democratic Progressive Party celebrated its 20th anniversary with three days of events in Taipei and in
Kaohsiung. Gathered at an evening rally were President Chen Shui-bian, Vice President Lu Hsiu-lian,
Premier Su Tseng-chang, Kaohsiung Mayoral Election Candidate Chen Chu, Taipei Mayoral Election
Candidate Frank Hsieh and DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun.
2 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

DEMOCRACY &
PROGRESS
Department of International
Affairs
Democratic Progressive Party
8F, No. 30, Pei-Ping East Rd.
Taipei, Taiwan
t. 886-2-23929989 ext. 305
f. 886-2-23214527
e-mail: foreign@dpp.org.tw
web: http://www.dpp.org.tw

Director
Winston Dang

Editor-in-Chief:
Michael Fonte

Editor:
Ping-Ya Hsu

DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun led Kaohsiung supporters to parade on the streets of

Kaohsiung City. Also in the parade were Vice President Lu Hsiu-lian, Kaohsiung
Mayoral Election Candidate Chen Chu and, Premier Su Tseng-chang.

On September 28th, the Democratic Progressive Party celebrated

th
its 20 anniversary with an opening celebration at the site of the founding
meeting, the Grand Hotel.
Approximately 363 of the original founding members attended
the occasion.
On September 29, a reception was held for members of the
foreign diplomatic community, and the last day of the anniversary
celebrations took place in Kaohsiung City, in the form of a parade and
evening rally. More than 300,000 people participated in Kaohsiung,
expressing their support of the DPP and their love of Taiwan.
Twenty years ago at the Grand Hotel, members of the former
Outside Party Movement (Tangwai) held a gathering that eventually led
to the founding of the DPP.
During this year’s anniversary celebration, President Chen Shui-
bian, Vice President Lu Hsiu-lian, Premier Su Tseng-chang, Frank Hsieh
and Chen Chu, candidates for Taipei and Kaohsiung mayoral elections,
were present, celebrating this occasion with a spirit of unity and
democratic reform.
The Taiwan Democratic Youth Union was formally launched on
the first day, in a ceremony that represented passing the torch from the
older generation to the next generation. Thirty-five members of this
newly-formed youth commission swore an allegiance to the party and
their commitment to persist in the ideals of democracy and progress for
Taiwan.
President Chen Shui-bian delivered a keynote speech on
September 28, emphasizing the DPP as the party that was born and bred
in Taiwanese soil. President Chen said, “Taiwan is my mother, Taiwan is
3 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

DPP celebrates 20th anniversary

(continued from page 2)
my country.”
“Twenty years ago, during a time that Taiwan was under martial law, party members didn’t know
whether they would be imprisoned, but all of them were not afraid and didn’t want to hide their resolution to
pursue the rights of the Taiwanese people, and return to the 23 million Taiwanese people what rightfully
belonged to them,” President Chen said.
President Chen recalled the 319 shooting incident in 2004, the day before the presidential election,
and cited a poem written by former chairman Lin I-hsiung.
“In March 19, 2004, there was an assassination attempt in Tainan against Vice President Lu and
myself,” President Chen said. “The previously planned evening campaign rally at the Chun-shan Football
Stadium was cancelled and our beloved former DPP chairman Lin I-hsiung wrote a poem that to this day, I
have not forgotten.”
President Chen then recited the poem, which starts by saying “Taiwan, my mother, I beg you to
bless all our young men and women and our children so that our learning will be as mighty as Jade
Mountain and as gentle as the Pacific Ocean. In pursuing liberty, peace and equality, we can bravely face
up to the challenge and when facing difficulties and frustrations, we will not lose our will to strive.”
At the reception for foreign diplomats and representatives, DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun welcomed
members of the international community residing in Taiwan to celebrate with the DPP its 20th anniversary.
“Democracy and freedom are both precious assets that Taiwan brings to the rest of the world,”
Chairman Yu said. “In the past, Taiwanese people lived through countless sacrifices and uphill battles.
Establishing the first democracy in Chinese society and completing a peaceful transfer of power, Taiwan is
a prime example of a new Asian developing democracy.”
In Kaohsiung, the parade was held with the theme, “Stand Up Taiwan!” in order to encourage all the
people of Taiwan to remember their love for their land, and to celebrate with the DPP its accomplishments
since its foundation.
During the sunshine splashed parade, Vice President Lu, Premier Su, DPP Chairman Yu and
Kaohsiung Mayoral Election Candidate Chen Chu walked with Kaohsiung citizens and others from around
the island who came to participate. DPP supporters wore all different colors to show that there is no color
differentiation in Taiwan.
President Chen also attended the Kaohsiung evening rally and delivered an address outlining the
goals of the DPP for the next elections, which were to win the Kaohsiung and Taipei mayoral election,
achieve at least 50 seats in the 2007 legislative election and win the 2008 presidential election.

DPP raises three no’s

The Democratic Progressive Party has raised three No’s concerning the latest political
developments in Taiwan. The first no is that the DPP doesn’t support recalling the president. The second
no is that the DPP does not support a cabinet resignation and lastly, the DPP doesn’t support a pan-blue
cabinet.
In addition, if the pan-blues are determined to overthrow the cabinet, the DPP will ask President
Chen to dissolve the legislature.
The DPP believes that Premier Su Tseng-chang’s has done an outstanding job as premier and the
party firmly stands behind him. The best way to resolve the current political situation is through the legal
process. The DPP urges political parties to work together to dissolve any political conflict.
4 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

The Rise of Democracy: A Force for Enduring Global Peace

DPP Chairman Yu Speech at the Heritage Foundation
Only if Democracy Rises Will There be Peace

Whether China’s peaceful rise will be an opportunity or a threat has been a topic of heated debate in
international politics. In 2003, China raised the “peaceful rise” concept, which successfully incited discussions
and visions of a peaceful China. China wanted to tell the world that its rise is not a threat, but a great
opportunity.
Nevertheless, this concept contradicts lessons from history. History teaches us that chanting peace will
not actually bring peace itself. A “peaceful rise” can only be a slogan or a viewpoint, but cannot bring the
actual realization of peace. In today’s world, in order to have actual peace, democracy must stand as the
foundation. Therefore, a democratic rise is the biggest assurance of peace. China must have a rise of
democracy in order to become a responsible stakeholder.
Past international experiences show us that a burgeoning power, unless it is a democratic country, must
inevitably change the rules of the actual game. During the early part of the 20th century, the United States,
Germany and Japan were considered rising powers at that time. Subsequently, we saw that in Germany and
Japan, ideas of Nazism and militarism emerged, yet the United States played a model role in stabilizing the
world, mainly because of democracy.
The only way China will ever become a responsible stakeholder in the world is by rising democratically.
Otherwise, “peaceful rise” is only a pretty slogan. In their day, the ideas of Nazism and militarism involved
traits such as strong feelings of nationalism, fanatical desire for establishing national socialism, agitation of the
masses for power politics, denying of individualism, extreme fervor and celebration, and infatuated worship of
figureheads. All these traits resemble those seen in today’s China. A China that rises without democracy,
where its people live under one-party totalitarian control, is very likely to bring a threat of war and conflict.

Taiwan’s Democracy is under Threat

Taiwan has moved out of the shadow of the past authoritarian rule of the KMT to become today a
democratic country. Although this was a difficult journey, the Taiwanese people are immeasurably proud of
this accomplishment. For a hundred years now, the Taiwanese people have yearned for democracy and
freedom. Step by step they were finally able to rid themselves of the KMT’s authoritarian regime. Restrictions
on political parties and the media were loosened, and the full election of all members of the legislature
converted it into a new, authentic body, which truly represents the people of Taiwan. In 1996, we were able to
hold Taiwan’s first direct presidential election.
Representing the Democratic Progressive Party, Chen Shui-bian was victoriously elected president in the
year 2000. With this triumph, we achieved a peaceful transition of government power, and besides maintaining
social stability and economic prosperity, we moved a step forward in establishing a neutral military that
understands its loyalty is to the country, not one political party. We also maintained social and economic
sustainable development, and we ensured a deepened protection for civic, democratic and human rights. In
2004, with the people’s affirmation, the DPP was re-elected to govern for a second term and continued to work
assiduously to strengthen and deepen Taiwan’s democracy.
As you know, it is quite natural that in the third wave of democratization, there are strong reactions
from those who used to hold power. In Taiwan’s case there is a unique circumstance, namely that even though
the KMT stepped down from the presidency, the former KMT influence still dominates the legislature. Even
with a presidential victory, the DPP government is unable to govern effectively and, when the DPP tried to
push several reform packages, the DPP administration faced, and continues to face, considerable obstruction.
5 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

The Rise of Democracy: A Force for Enduring Global Peace

DPP Chairman Yu Speech at the Heritage Foundation
(continued from page 3)

Presently, the biggest difference between the ruling party and the opposition parties when it comes to
national policy concerns the sovereignty issue and China. The DPP believes that Taiwan is a sovereign and
independent country and the KMT believes that Taiwan is a part of China. The DPP prioritizes democracy
while the KMT emphasizes Chinese nationalism. When it comes to Taiwan’s future, the DPP bases it on
Western expectations, standing on the side of Western democratic countries. Meanwhile, the KMT completely
bases Taiwan’s future on China’s expectations. The DPP positions its China policy within the larger context of
Asia-Pacific strategy. The KMT positions its foreign policy for Taiwan within the context of its own China
policy. This is the main reason why the DPP supports the strengthening of US-Japan alliance, while the KMT
chooses to keep the U.S. and China equidistant.
Earlier this year, KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou came up with “Five No’s and Five Do’s”. In brief, his
standpoint makes no mention of national sovereignty, much less democratic values, and tries its best to please
China for supposedly preserving cross strait stability. I personally consider his standpoint as a “temporary
band-aid for trouble” because if we do not actively advance China’s democratization, cross strait stability is
unlikely to happen and conflict can be anticipated.
If the KMT were to win in 2008, I forecast confidently that the KMT leader will most likely adopt a
policy of equilibrium between the U.S. and China, thus weakening Taiwan-Japan relations. Not only will there
be a tilt towards China, but democracy in Taiwan will experience the same as in Hong Kong where the
democratic forces have suffered.

The Truth about China’s Rise

I believe that, as a burgeoning country that moved from authoritarianism to democracy, Taiwan is a
significant model of democratic achievement. This is not only a source of great pride, but it is also our biggest
asset. Taiwan is the first democracy within a Chinese society context, and the one most likely to influence
China’s democratic development.
International democracies are associating with China, but they have also urged economic maturity with
democratic implementation. China’s opening economically did not bring about the opening of democracy. We
can see that in Hong Kong, freedom of expression is fundamentally fading. Its promise to let the people of
Hong Kong choose their leader in 2007 is unlikely, and undeniably, Hong Kong’s democracy has stepped
back. Taiwan’s experience shows that a gradually growing non-democratic power like China, with very
different fundamental values, will try to twist the functional normalcy of the democratic system.
There are many examples that illustrate these circumstances. China has invested in Taiwan’s media, thus
affecting the media’s perspective. Compelled by pressure, Taiwanese businessmen are forced to change
political stands, and Taiwanese scholars have refrained from commenting in opinion pieces to avoid been
banned from research pursuits in China. They have isolated the DPP government and engaged with the
opposition parties in order to divide Taiwan internally. Opposition party leaders such as former KMT
Chairman Lian Chan and PFP Chairman James Soong didn’t dare talk about Taiwan’s sovereignty, use the
name of their own country, or mention democracy and freedom while they visited Beijing. China has
demanded that American companies like Yahoo and Google track internal Internet use in Taiwan, attempting
to crackdown on freedom of expression in Taiwan.
Taiwan’s experience shows that, as a superpower without democracy with an authoritarian government
structure, China will attempt to use its economic power to damage the normal functioning of another
democratic country. If China has been able to influence Taiwan, it is also capable of exerting influence into
other countries.
6 DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

The Rise of Democracy: A Force for Enduring Global Peace

DPP Chairman Yu Speech at the Heritage Foundation
(continued from page 4)

I believe that this kind of Chinese influence can be countermanded by a US established “Democratic
Alliance.”
Taiwan stands at the front line of conflict between maritime democracies and continental non-
democracies. China’s suppression of Taiwan affects all democratic forces. If Taiwan takes a pro-China
approach, not only does the power-balance in the region face a great challenge but also the security and
development of all democratic forces are affected.
Faced with China’s 800 missiles pointed at us, and the growing imbalance of military forces across the
Strait in China’s favor, Taiwan must strengthen its defenses, raise its defense budget, prepare better self-
defense weapons, and fortify our determination to preserve our democracy and sovereignty. However, with our
democratic values firmly in place, we must strive by whatever means possible to press forward China’s
democratization because only if China democratizes will it become a responsible stakeholder, will there be
peace in Asia and the world, will democratic Taiwan be secure.

The World Must Support Democratic Taiwan

To cite the great German philosopher, Immanuel Kant, “Perpetual Peace” is achieved through democracy
and a republican constitution. I have absolute faith that through the expansion of freedom and democracy, the
world may really embrace peace and flourish. I would like to say again, democracy in Taiwan was not easily
achieved and it is subjected to great threats! Taiwan is at the forefront of bringing democratic change into
China. Consolidating democracy in Taiwan is the key to expanding democracy in Asia. Confident that Taiwan
is an asset in the enlargement of democracy, the international community should give its strongest support to
Taiwan, especially when as it faces China’s threats and the crisis this is causing.
Today, standing at the crossroads of war and history is not China, but the rest of the free and democratic
countries. The problem is not whether China itself will choose the road of democracy, but whether other
democratic members of society, with the US in the lead, will take the responsibility for guiding the 1.3 billion
Chinese people as they strive for freedom and human rights, choosing the road of freedom and democracy and
thus moving the world toward peace.
As part of the democratic world, I believe that Taiwan can contribute to democratic enlargement. I hope
that one day the 1.3 billion people in China are able to enjoy democratic rights, just as many exerted their
efforts for Taiwan many years ago.
Today, I raise the concept, “China’s Democratic Rise” in the hopes of letting our democratic friends
around the world know that advancing democracy should be the key point in the China policy of every
country. Without a democratic China, democratic Taiwan will not be secure. Only if democracy rises will there
truly be a peaceful rising.
Let us all have faith in the power of democracy! Together, let’s work for global peace!

“Let us have faith in the power of

democracy! Together, let’s work for
global peace!”

- DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun