FEBRUARY 2013

DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

DPP issues standpoint on government plans to hold referendum on nuclear power

As the Anti-nuclear Movement relates to the peoples livelihood, after thirty years of social controversy and discussion, it is very clear that Taiwanese society refuses to live in fear of a nuclear disaster. For this reason, the DPP clearly advocates for immediately stopping construction on the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant. The newly-appointed Premier, Mr. Jiang Yi-huah, announced on Feb. 25 that the government will let the public decide on the issue of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant in a referendum. In a statement issued to the press, the DPP stated that it believes that a nuclear homeland can in fact be immediately achieved as long as the current government takes action. The statement also states that the DPP believes it is absolutely not necessary to hold a referendum for the obvious reasons and for saving national resources and social costs. In the face of clear wishes expressed by public opinion, a responsible government must have the humility to listen and make a specific response to the calls for stopping construction on the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant. However, the Executive Yuan has not only failed to take any action, they have also used threatening words towards the public, such as knowingly using the high-threshold referendum to determine this issues outcome. The DPP expresses its most severe condemnation says the statement. The DPP also appealed President Ma Ying-jeous administration to ensure two tasks are met if they continue insisting in carrying out the referendum: 1) Immediately lay-off any construction work, stop executing any annual budgets and to

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 stop allocating additional budgets for the plants construction; and 2) Amend the Referendum Law, reducing its threshold amount to a realistic level to allow real public representation. The DPPs Central Standing Committee on Feb. 27 agreed on further steps for the party to take towards a nuclear free homeland. First, the DPP will adopt legislative checks and balances to promote amendment to the high threshold in the Referendum Law. Second, the DPP will closely cooperate with anti-nuclear groups to combine the strength of civil society. Third, the DPP Headquarters will set-up working groups that will involve discussion, advocacy, organization and political demonstration. After the Central Standing Committee, DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang announced in a press conference the DPPs resolution in holding a battle for the security and survival of the next generation. He further chanted the slogan, The DPP will prepare for a battle against nuclear power in order to win it!. In the past, the DPP initiated the implementation of a referendum in Taiwan, but the KMT said that a referendum was equal to a disease, and after many years of efforts, the KMT has finally accepted a referendum to decide on the Fourth

FEBRUARY 2013 Nuclear Power Plant. The standpoint of the DPP towards a nuclear free homeland has never changed, but it seems the anti-nuclear movement road has been hard and bumpy. This is not a result of the DPPs idleness, but rather, the KMTs obstruction. Even though the Executive Yuan has announced a referendum, everyone has discovered that the government doesnt have the intention to resolve this issue. They want to use an unfair regulation to continue the plants construction. It isnt very hard to see that the KMT is not in support of ending nuclear dependence in Taiwan, Chair Su concluded.

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FEBRUARY 2013

DPP delegation returns from successful Japan visit

A DPP delegation led by Chair Su Tseng-chang visited Japan for five days from Feb. 3 to 7, including legislative members Ker Chien-ming, Chen Mingwen, Chiu Yi-ying, Hsiao Bi-khim, Tsai Chi-chang, Wu Ping-rui and Lee Kun-tse as well as DPP Foreign Policy Advisor and Former Representative to Japan Koh Se-kai, and party staff. Chair Su said the purpose of this trip encompassed two major goals. First, he said the DPP wishes to strengthen the democratic alliance with Taiwans neighboring countries. Second, he said he hoped to hold closer exchanges on mutual security and prosperity for both sides. He emphasized that the DPP strongly advocates foreign affairs policies with common values as their foundation. For a long period of time, along with the U.S., Japan and South Korea, Taiwan has built relationships based on democracy, freedom and human rights in order for this region to maintain security and reduce tension, he said. Recent conflicts have caused people to worry, therefore, the DPP must strengthen the democratic alliance of neighboring countries in order to further maintain longterm stability, security and prosperity in the region. The DPP Japan Visit included rallies with overseas Taiwanese groups, a visit to the headquarters of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP, ruling party of Japan) and its think tank; and meetings with members of the Taiwan-Japan friendship group in the House of Representatives of the National Diet of Japan. This time, the delegation was also able to visit the Edogawa City First Power Station, an alternative energy station founded by residents and entirely generating power from solar panels. At the LDP Headquarters, the delegation was received by Mr. Shigeru Ishiba, Secretary-General of the LDP. At the House of Representatives, Chair Su was greeted by Mr. Takeo Hiranuma, president of the Japan-Taiwan friendship group. Chair Su said the Taiwan-Japan friendship group plays an important role in the relationship between both sides, especially since both countries ended official relations. Chair Su said the exchanges between the public and commerce have created good feelings with surveys showing that the Taiwanese public hold favorable views towards Japan in general. He thanked the friendship group for their efforts in promoting the visa-free policy as well as other initiatives that drew the people of Taiwan and Japan closer together.

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 He further mentioned that in Taiwans 921 Earthquake in 1999, Japan was one of the first countries to offer assistance to Taiwan. In turn, he said that in Japans March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster, even though Taiwan being a small country, the public responded immediately with donations and other assistance. He said the DPP also started a donation drive for the victims of the disaster. The most significant part of the Taiwan-Japan relationship is that both sides identify with the values of democracy, freedom and human rights, which is why compared to other regions, there is less tension and a continued wish to maintain long-term stability and security, he said. He expressed wishes for the future to continue strengthening the democratic alliance through closer dialogue and interaction. On Feb. 5, the delegation held a breakfast meeting with Mr. Nobuo Kishi, Member of the House of Councilors and Mr. Koichi Hagiuda from the House of Representatives, both from the LDP. Mr. Kishi is the brother of Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. According to the DPPs Director of the Department of International Affairs, Mr. Liu Shihchung, there were a total of 7 members from both houses of Japans Diet at the breakfast meeting. Mr. Liu said Mr. Kishi agreed with Chair Su on holding more exchanges in the future, especially between younger members of congress from both sides, which is the generation of members around 40 years of age. Mr. Liu further mentioned that in this Japan visit, the DPP delegation held exchanges with more than 60 member of the Diet, both from the upper and lower houses. The DPP Japan Visit ended with a tour of the Edogawa City First Power Station. Upon first instance, Chair Su said that the station looked small, but the determination of the people to end nuclear

FEBRUARY 2013

power showed that it can be carried out. He said he hoped that Taiwan can be able to achieve a nuclear free homeland.

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FEBRUARY 2013

DPP Chair Su meets AIT Chairman Raymond Burghardt

On Feb. 1, Chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), Mr. Raymond Burghardt, paid a visit to the DPP Headquarters and was greeted by Chair Su Tseng-chang where US-Taiwan relations and the current situation in the East China Sea were discussed. Mr. Burghardt first welcomed the close exchanges between AIT officials and the DPP in Taiwan, and he also welcomed the DPPs initiatives in re-establishing a representative office in Washington, D.C. He further said he looked forward to greeting Chair Su in Washington, D.C. in his upcoming visit in May. Chair Su said the DPP strongly values US friendship with Taiwan, citing his recent exchanges with U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski and Chairman Ed Royce of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs where they discussed indepth how to continue strengthening US-Taiwan relations. In regards to Taiwan-US security cooperation, Mr. Burghardt said he agreed with the DPPs priority to ensure Taiwans national security, supporting the national defense budget with the governing party. Chair Su, however, indicated that when he served as Premier of Taiwan, the national defense budget comprised of 2.75% of the GDP, but he expressed regrets over the governments lowering of the budget as well as the promotion of a volunteer military. He said it was clear that the budget allocated for national defense is insufficient, and he said that even though the DPP supported national defense, it also wishes to see a sufficient national defense budget to create an effective deterrent capability in order to safeguard Taiwans security.

In regards to the East China Sea, Chair Su criticized the government for sending national coast guards to support public demonstrations, which he said caused unnecessary tensions. He also mentioned Chinas position in the Diaoyutai dispute, which he said in the past, China was unable to interfere, but now, through its meddling with Taiwan, they even want to take a piece of Taiwans sovereignty. He specially noted that for this reason, Taiwan must absolutely not cooperate with China on the Diaoyutai issue. He further said that since the U.S. and the international community expect peace and do not wish to see the East China Sea issue worsen, the DPP strongly supports the government protect fishing rights and holding talks with Japan. However, whereas in the past Taiwan and Japan have held more than 10 meetings on fishing rights, the KMT government has only held two, and with their continued support of public demonstrations in the Diaoyutai Islands, Chair Su expressed worry that this is dangerously sending the wrong message to Japan and lessening their desire to hold talks with Taiwan.

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FEBRUARY 2013

DPP U.S. Representative concludes successful visit to Washington, D.C.

Despite rain and low temperatures, the DPP Representative to the United States, Dr. Jaushieh Joseph Wu, and his associates in the DPP office in Washington, DC, kept a busy schedule as they visited Congress, exchanged views with the policy community including think tank analysts and the Taiwanese expatriate community. Following his February 24-27 meetings, Dr. Wu held a press briefing in which he highlighted key points from his discussions. First, the ongoing effort to establish a formal DPP office in Washington, DC, is being well-received by key policy experts on Taiwan-issues. The Administration acknowledged the efforts of the DPP to strengthen its relationship with the United States based on the principles of transparency, consistency, and reliability. Second, the United States welcomes a comprehensive China policy from the DPP. Dr. Wu reassured his U.S. audience that the Party has had meaningful exchanges with Chinas Taiwan Affairs officials that can serve as the building blocks for future negotiations. For example, he cited Deputy Director of Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office, Mr. Sun Yafu, who said that preconditions should not be set in cross-Strait political dialogues and that all parties, including the DPP, should be included in these dialogues. Third, the DPP reaffirmed its position that sovereignty disputes should not damage Taiwans relationships with its democratic partners in the AsiaPacific region, especially Japan and Southeast Asian countries. Finally, Dr. Wu reached out to pro-KMT expatriate groups based on his past relationship with Taiwanese communities across the political spectrum during his tenure as Taiwans Representative to the United States. Based on the success of this visit, Dr. Wu will return to the United States with DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang to further strengthen the partys relationship with the United States. Noting that DPP has formed several study groups on various U.S.-Taiwan policy issues, he said with confidence that the Party will be ready to answer many important questions during Chair Sus visit to Washington, DC.

Dr. Joseph Wu with Rep. Steve Chabot, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

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FEBRUARY 2013

DPP chair appeals Taiwanese to be masters of their own land on 66th Anniversary of 228 Massacre

Invited to speak at the rally organized by the Taiwan Nation Alliance commemorating the 66th anniversary of the 228 Massacre, DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang appealed the Taiwanese people to become the masters of their own land. The 228 Massacre took place in 1947 and it is one of the worst tragedies in Taiwanese history. KMTled forces tried to take control over the island after loosing Chinas civil war. The KMT troops killed more than 30,000 Taiwanese activists and elites living in the island at that time. Speaking at the commemoration, Chair Su said, Before the massacre took place, the general public had expectations of the KMT, but soon these expectations turned into hopelessness at the 228 Massacre, where many Taiwanese activists and elite were slaughtered. We must learn these lessons from history. Most

importantly, we must become our own masters because only through our own self-reliance, not allowing any external authoritarian regimes control us, the people of Taiwan will be able to achieve full self-sovereignty, he said. Compensation to the victims have been slow and all the facts to the cases have not been made. According to Legislator Cheng Li-chun, relatives of the massacres victims were charged ridiculous amounts in order to see official documents. There are still many efforts to be made, Chair Su said. I believe that taxpayers shouldnt be held responsible for the compensation to 228 victims, and instead, they should come from the illgotten assets of the KMT, who committed these mistakes. I also hold to the belief that all the real facts must be known to the public, and they should be incorporated into historical and school books. PAGE 7

FEBRUARY 2013

DPP issues statement on Lian-Xi Meeting

The DPP issued a statement regarding the February meeting between KMT Honorary Chairman Lian Chan and Chinas incoming leader, Xi Jinping. At the meeting, Lian Chan mentioned the principles of, one China, cross strait peace, mutual integration and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Mr. Honigmann Hong, Director of the DPPs China Affairs Department, criticized Lians comments as simply referring to One China, lacking different interpretations. He said it was specially worrying discussing a mutual integration and establishing an effective political framework. His actions are playing to the tune of Chinas unification ambitions, Mr. Hong said. Mr. Hong appealed the KMT and China to respect the expectations of the people from both sides of the strait. They must not, he said, misinterpret the wishes for peace to forsake Taiwans sovereignty and the values of democracy and human rights. Mr. Hong also said that cross strait sustainability and prosperity must be based on the consensus reached by the people of both sides and not decided by unilateral decisions from any political party or leader.

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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