Taiwan must `go independent,' Chen tells FAPA dinner

Taipei Times ^ | 03-05-07 | staff

[em2vn]

Taiwan needs to "go independent" and Taiwan was the best name for the country to use in seeking entry to the UN, President Chen Shui-bian said last night. "Taiwan will say yes to independence," he said. "Taiwan will be correctly named, Taiwan will have a new constitution, Taiwan will develop. There is no left-right political axis in Taiwan, just the question of independence or assimilation."

"The name `Taiwan' is the name of our mother," the president told a 25th anniversary dinner for Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) in Taipei. "[It's] the most beautiful, most powerful name; the best name for us to [use to] enter the United Nations."

"Taiwan needs a new constitution in order to become a normal, complete country," he said. "The continual existence of Taiwan is beneficial to the citizenry, Taiwanese businesspeople and democratic groups. We can only ensure cross-straits peacefulness by implementing democracy, fostering economic prosperity and taking care of the marginalized."

When reporters asked pan-blue officials to comment on Chen's speech, the response from the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the People First Party (PFP) was critical.

"Chen's speech was an attempt to suppress former president Lee Tung-hui's recent remarks that Taiwan is already independent," said Chang Jung-kung,executive director of the KMT's policy coordination department, at a separate event last night.

"It was also an attempt to provoke China when it comes to the issue of cross-straits relations," Chang said. "He is trying to use his `four yesses and one no' to make waves in Taiwanese politics and draw attention away from the corruption that occurred during his administration."

Chang said that China would not be so easily provoked and the US would step in to curb Chen if he goes too far.

[mc6809e]

The PRC would lose face if it had to buy what they consider their own territory. They'd rather blow it off the map then do such a thing.

Uh, you have it backwards. Taiwan pays China for the island.

[Steel Wolf]

Paying for the island is an admission that the island belongs to China.

Nonsense. If I broke into your house, and took over your garage, would you pay me to leave?

Accepting payment allows both parties to back away from conflict.

Sure. It's like a wanted criminal turning himself in for the cash reward, when he knows he's facing life without parole in prison. Great plan.

[papertyger]

I'll take those prayers ping!

[Steel Wolf]

Uh, you have it backwards. Taiwan pays China for the island.

Oh, in that case, it's not even remotely possible. I've been to China, and speak Chinese, and I assure you they'd no more sell Taiwan than we'd sell California or Texas. This idea may make sense to you, but it's outside the boundries of reality for the Chinese.

[zook]

Whole 'nother thread on this: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1795084/posts

As you'll see, my take is 180 degrees away. Chen is playing brinkmanship, trying to provoke a war to save his sorry ass.

Most Chinese & Taiwanese on the island do not seem to favor formal independence from China. And they certainly do not want the war that will inevitably come from Chen's poker game. Chen is a social democrat, not really a "conservative." He's allabout "diversity," "multiculturalism," and the whole nine yards of socialism.

[mc6809e]

Oh, in that case, it's not even remotely possible. I've been to China, and speak Chinese, and I assure you they'd no more sell Taiwan than we'd sell California or Texas. This idea may make sense to you, but it's outside the boundaries of reality for the Chinese.

How can you be sure? Have you asked?

I suppose you may be right, but China may be more amenable to such a deal if it knew the US would intervene in a fight.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

There, the three threads on this topic should be interlinked, now.

[JohnnyZ]

"Chen's speech was an attempt to suppress former president Lee Tung-hui's recent remarks that Taiwan is already independent," said Chang Jung-kung,executive director of the KMT's policy coordination department, at a separate event last night.

Lee Tung-hui should go down as the country's greatest statesman.

[Fee]

I think Taiwan should tell the PRC if they want Taiwan to return to China, they should allow the three political parties in Taiwan to compete on the mainland as the Communist Party and China should change her name from the People's Republic of China to Republic of China (like the one found by Sun Yat-sen in 1911 which was mult party system). Furthermore the flag should be changed from the red field with yellow stars (Communist) to the one in 1911 of the Republic of China. Otherwise no deal.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

New related thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1795863/posts.

[Shadow44]

I'm tired of all this talk of Taiwanese independence. Not even all of the Republic of China (NOT Taiwan) wants independence. More people want to reunite with the mainland, but on their terms. I support the KMT and Pan-Blue in their efforts to reunite China in a progressive manner. DDP isn't going to do well since everyone hates Chen and his corruption, hopefully Ma will be president and build up the Republic of China's military so it could retake the mainland.