DPP Legislator Proposes Party Drop "Taiwan Independence"

Chen Zhaonan (spelled in Hanyupinyin), a legislator of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has proposed for the second time that the DPP repeal the section of its program concerning "Taiwan Independence", according to sources in Taiwan.

The proposal, submitted by Chen and seven other DPP members to the party's secretariat, has won support from several DPP members, with 21 signing it.

The first item in the DPP's party program, which advocates an independent republic of Taiwan, has lost is foundation, and should be repealed in the interests of the people of Taiwan, Chen argued.

Some factions in the DPP oppose the proposal in an attempt to keep it as a bargaining counter in cross-straits negotiation, while the supporters of the proposal regard the item as out-dated and call for its abolition in the face of the current situation.

People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/