| Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, November 16, 2001 |
How Has DPP Degenerated Into a "Taiwan Independence" Party? |
"Taiwan independence", as plotted by its progenitors, is closely related to the "Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)" in today's Taiwan. How has DPP paced down the road degenerating itself into a "Taiwan independence" party? Can DPP's "Taiwan independence" be in the public interest of the Taiwan people?
Recently our correspondent interviewed two experts from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
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"Taiwan independence", as plotted by its progenitors, is closely related to the "Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)" in today's Taiwan. DPP has, since its birth, forged a fast sinful tie with "Taiwan independence". How has DPP paced down the road of degenerating itself into a "Taiwan independence" party? Can DPP's "Taiwan independence" in any way be in the public interest of the Taiwan people? With this question in mind our correspondent sought an exclusive interview with research fellow Mr Zhang Fengshan and research fellow Ms Yang Lixian from Taiwan Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences:
Correspondent: When talking about "Taiwan independence", doubtless it must be associated with that notorious DPP and we would like to ask you for an analysis as how has the DPP gradually slipped down the road of becoming a "Taiwan independence" party?
Zhang: It took the DPP some time to become a "Taiwan independence" party. Shortly after its founding, the DPP began to show an obvious tendency toward "Taiwan independence" and this is reflected by its party "constitution" stating that "...the future of Taiwan must be decided by a general vote of the 17 million Taiwan people". But represented in this is just denominative democracy being one side of a same coin. In line with this, they also laid claim to their own "residents' right to self-determination" which is the pretext to their "Taiwan independence" machinations.
Correspondent: Then what process has the DPP gone through?
Zhang: First, the DPP placed on board their "residents' right to self-determination" in 1986. Then, by April 1988, with a so-called "417 resolution" adopted, it clamored for Taiwan's "independence of sovereignty" "not belonging to" the People's Republic of China with Beijing as capital and that the People's Republic "has no right of sovereignty over Taiwan". This is DPP's first endeavour to split Taiwan from the mainland of the motherland and its public declaration to seek for "Taiwan independence". Third, in October 1990, the DPP dished a so-called "Proposal for Taiwan's Sovereignty" in which the DPP further preached its "self-determination" principle and "Taiwan's sovereignty not included" in the mainland and that the mainland had no sovereignty over Taiwan and Taiwan was no longer a part of China. In October 1991, the DPP put forth its "Taiwan independence" party "program" openly advocating for an independent Taiwan "republic" and moreover as one with an independent "constitution" to be launched. It goes without saying that the DPP had already dreamt to an unprecedented frenzied extent its "Taiwan independence" dream. Things seemed to have come to a turn: all DPP personages standing for cross-Straits reunification within were ostracized in contrast to an uproar made by a motley of "Taiwan independence" elements. DPP turned itself in no time naturally into a "Taiwan independence" party and a lair of "Taiwan independence" elements both domestic and foreign.
Correspondent: Do you have a concrete analysis of the actual causes which turned the DPP into a "Taiwan independence" party?
Zhang: There are three chief causes. One is a major world atmosphere; two, a localized climate on Taiwan; and the cross-Straits situation which prevailed at that time. The major international atmosphere comprises two asspects: one is the disintegration of the former Soviet Union, a changed situation in Eastern European socialist countries and independence declared by three Baltic countries emboldening the "Taiwan independence" elements. Another cause is the USA. Just out of the Gulf War it stepped up its efforts of trying to Westernize and impose a policy of divide and disintegration on China. There was no lack of US politicians supporting DPP's "Taiwan independence".
As to the localized climate of the time on Taiwan Island, changes in the political situation Taiwan encouraged "Taiwan independence" elements. Typical was an in-depth political "constitutional reform" launched by the ruling Kuomintang (Guomindang) in the early 90s of the 20th century in Taiwan. To reshape its image, the DPP presented a policy campaigning for Taiwan's "democratization and naturalization" of politics and ensured its full acceptance by the Kuomintang (Guomindang) in their pursuit for "Taiwan independence". At the same time, Lee Teng-hui also contributed no small part in helping the DPP elements push their "Taiwan independence" scheme.
Three, the impact of cross-Straits relations. After 1987, speedy progress was made in cross-Straits relations. Increased exchanges of cross-Straits relations were developed among civilians and talks had been conducted on a semi-government scale. These shocked the "Taiwan independence" elements especially taking account of the fast approaching return of Hong Kong to the embrace of the motherland. To them, this constituted unprecedented crisis and they saw catastrophe was about to befall them: The felt their days now numbered.
Correspondent: The DPP hangs out the shop sign that what it does represents the 23 million people of Taiwan. Is there any truth in this?
Zhang: Things are just to the contrary to me. We know that in the mind's eye of our Taiwan compatriots Taiwan has been a territorial part of China as they identify themselves as Chinese. To uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China the Taiwan people have carried out unremitting struggle throughout Chinese history. Let's just consider their fight against Japanese imperialism. As we all know that early back 1897 when Taiwan candidates sitting the imperial examination in Beijing they learned that the Qing court was going to sign the Treaty of Shimonoseki to cede Taiwan to Japan. They all allied themselves with their compatriots on the mainland and petitioned Emperor Guangxu in demonstration of their opposition to the signing of the humiliating treaty. After Japan occupied Taiwan by force they organized themselves and resisted Japan's occupation.
It is true that for varied reasons a number of Taiwanese stood at the side of the DPP but these were just a handful. Chen Shuibian running for presidency got a vote from less than 40 percent and a specific analysis can even be made of this percentage. This is to say that not all those who had cast "yes" vote endorse DPP's "Taiwan independence". The fact is that most of the voters had acted out of the desire to wipe out "black gold deal" and for a change of roles in choosing Chen Shuibian.
Correspondent: The DPP has been in power over one year, has it been thinking in the long-term interest of the Taiwan people?
Yang: Since the DPP took power Taiwan has been in a chaotic state and its economy has been sluggish. In his electoral campaign for presidency Chen Shuibian vowed to set up a "government of the whole people". So soon after winning his presidency he employed all kinds of measures to install Tang Fei to head his "administrative yuan" and he founded a "cabinet" of his motley peers styled as a "government of all people". But how were things in actuality? A decision was then made to scrap construction of Taiwan's fourth nuclear power plant but no public endorsements were sought. It had taken Taiwan 20 years to get construction underway for a nuclear plant and as many as 10 years to push it through planning and approval. Since it is to be scrapped, legislation needs to be passed. But the legislature turned the DPP decision right down. Regardless of all the protests the DPP wanted simply to railroad its decision. The so-called "government of the whole people" has to follow the will of the DPP. As Tang Fei rejected the idea to scrap construction of the 4th nuclear plant he was simply removed from office. Where is there a trace of a "government of all people"? In fact, it is just a small number of DPP elements at the helm of Taiwan government throwing their weight about.
Economically speaking, Taiwan has been hit by a succession of negative economic events resulting in recession and a high rate of unemployment. While the DPP persists in its "Taiwan independence" in total disregard of the overall interest of the Taiwan people it is not addressing the development of Taiwan's economy and improving cross-Straits relations. Where is the way out for Taiwan's economy? It lies in the mainland of the motherland. This is because Taiwan is too small an island and has no contiguous hinterland and this must be found on the mainland of China.
Zhang: The DPP pays lip service to representing the interests of the Taiwan people. But it is necessary to give substance to that assertion. The people of Taiwan will ask while you are in power I am suffering, can you say you represent my interest? And they will answer "Sheer nonsense!"
By People's Daily Online
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