JANUARY 2011
DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS
DPP holds interim National Party Congress, passes
party endorsement regulations
The DPP held its first interim Na-
tional Party Congress to discuss
party issues, with special empha-
sis on the nomination of candi-
dates for the next legislative and
presidential elections. Chair Tsai
Ing-wen delivered the opening
speech, emphasizing “unity and
selflessness” calling for a spirit of
“working together to survive and
succeed together”.
During the ceremonial opening
of the congress, Chair Tsai invited
two special guests to accompany
her in raising the DPP’s flag. The
special guests were the candidates
for the upcoming legislative by-
elections in Kaohsiung and
Tainan, Hsu Tian-chai and Lin
Dai-hua. Their presence during
this congress started off the Con-
gress with an atmosphere of unity
and solidarity for the party.
At a post-congress press con-
ference, DPP Secretary General
Su Chia-chuan, DPP Legislative
Caucus Convener Ker Chien-
ming and DPP Spokesperson
Cheng Wen-tsang reported to the
public on congressional decisions.
Su said that this congress rep-
resented a show of democracy and
unity, preparing the DPP to com-
bat together the challenges of the
next elections. Su also represented
Chair Tsai in expressing the
DPP’s gratitude to all party repre-
sentatives and colleagues. He said
that he hoped that with this at-
mosphere of solidarity, the DPP
will win the next legislative and
presidential elections.
The main highlight of the party
congress was discussion of the
endorsement process for party
... continued on the next page
PAGE 1

candidates in the next legisla-
tive and presidential elections.
The legislative elections in
Taiwan are scheduled to be
held at the end of 2011 and the
presidential elections in spring
2012. During this National
Party Congress, resolutions
were reached by party represen-
tatives to adjust the current ar-
ticles on party endorsement
procedures.
Su said that after five hours
of debate and discussion, party
representatives were given am-
ple opportunity to express their
opinions about different proce-
dures. A majority vote was
reached to allow the use of
polling as the main method to
pass the primaries. For district
and at-large legislators, Su said
that the party congress decided
to allow the DPP’s Nomination
Committee to produce the list
of candidates.
Chair Tsai Ing-wen made
special mention to party repre-
sentatives that the DPP’s
Nomination Committee will
include disadvantaged groups,
including labor, disability and
social welfare organizations,
among the nominations for at-
large legislators. DPP Chair
Tsai also announced that party
members, through petitions,
may recommend outstanding
individuals as at-large legisla-
tors to the Nomination Com-
mittee.
The full text of DPP Chair
Tsai Ing-wen’s opening speech
is below:
“Today, due to the upcoming
campaigns and our nomination
process, we are holding this
interim National Party Con-
gress. Many people complain
that the DPP is constantly
modifying its nomination pro-
cedures. However, if we view it
from a different angle, we can
see why. Each time we do bat-
tle in elections is crucial for the
development of the party. To
keep up with political realities,
we must draft new procedures.
JANUARY 2011
... continued "om the "ont page
Therefore, we must again and
again review our nomination
strategy and see whether they
meet the current needs.
“From the viewpoint of the
DPP, the current political situa-
tion is serious. We are not a
party that sits and waits, and we
cannot afford to pay the price if
we do not change. Our only
solution is to take a step at a
time, and advance with each
step using prudent care. Later
today, we will begin the debate
and share each other’s view-
points, and lastly, we will finish
the most important task for this
congress. But before we begin
the debate, there are some im-
portant things that I would like
share. The rise of the DPP rep-
resents the force of social pro-
gress in Taiwanese society. We
are certain that we cherish our
history, but during certain peri-
ods in our history there were
also times of internal strife.
With the diversity of voices
within the party, we are able to
move forward, but if we don’t
have the same pace moving
forward, we may also take a
heavy fall.
“We cannot forget the un-
pleasant memories, but they
must provide us with the cau-
tion we need to avoid repeti-
tion. We must remember what
values allowed the DPP to rise
up again these past two years,
namely: unity and selflessness.
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PAGE 2

As the party chair, I, along with many party sup-
porters, have high expectations from each party
representative. My expectations can be compared
to the hopes of our supporters, and, in our eyes,
we do not only see different competitors in the
party, but also colleagues who can battle side by
side. We hope that the entire party can see that
under the disappointing governance of the KMT,
we are inseparable and we are the only hope for
the people.
“Unity must not only be a slogan, but it must
also become a reality because we are part of the
same historical wave in which each one must put
forth their best efforts. As part of the DPP, we will
JANUARY 2011
... continued "om the previous page
only succeed if we united. In unity there is
strength!
“The immediate task is this March 5th when
Tainan City and Kaohsiung City will be holding
legislative by-elections. Our outstanding candi-
dates, Hsu Tian-chai and Lin Dai-hua, will repre-
sent our party in these elections. For all the sup-
porting campaign staff, we demand success, not
failure! And following this battle, we are about to
select the most talented candidates in our party for
the next elections. Equally important, we are also
about to issue vital issue standpoints for the coun-
try. In these legislative and presidential elections,
we hope to win back once again the people’s trust
because the public is eager to share the fruits of
economic and social development in a fair way.
The public is also eager to preserve their self-
determination in the face of the current imbalance
in cross strait situation. As the public faces a rul-
ing government incapable of meeting their expec-
tations, we, as a democratic, unified and selfless
party, are the only party that is capable of setting
in practice and accomplishing the people’s expec-
tations”.
PAGE 3

DPP issues statement regarding the Philippines
deportation of Taiwanese citizens to China
In regards to the deportation of 14 Taiwanese na-
tionals to China by the government of the Philip-
pines, the DPP expresses deep regret and issues
the following standpoints.
First, the DPP solemnly condemns Taiwan’s
Ministry of Foreign Affairs for not only failing to
take positive actions, but also for delegating this
case to the responsibility of our domestic Ministry
of Justice and the Mainland Affairs Council, re-
solving to deduct this incident as a “cross strait
issue”. The DPP appeals to the Ministry of For-
eign Affairs to immediately propose a concrete
solution and to conduct a personnel review, hold-
ing responsible any diplomatic staff involved.
Second, in regards to the past warm relation-
ship between the Philippines and Taiwan in civic
and official exchanges, and this time’s unfortunate
decision by the government of the Philippines to
obey China’s demands, the DPP besides express-
ing deep regret, also appeals to the government of
the Philippines to understand that the sensitivity
of this case lies in China’s attempt to take sover-
eignty over Taiwan. We sincerely hope that the
Philippines does not become an accomplice for
China in their attempt to erode Taiwan’s democ-
racy.
Third, the DPP expresses concern over our
government’s failure in establishing clear diplo-
matic channels as a result of the current flaw in
our foreign policy. Over the past two years, our
government has adopted a China-inclined policy,
which has led other countries to believe that Bei-
jing is the manager of Taiwan affairs, and this in-
cident is just a clear example. We believe that this
diplomatic setback has caused a loss in Taiwan’s
sovereignty, and it has also damaged the rights of
our citizens abroad to face judicial justice.
DPP Chair Tsai Ing-wen, in a press conference
right after the Lunar New Year holidays, said this
has been the worst diplomatic setback for Presi-
JANUARY 2011
dent Ma in recent years, and this serves a great
lesson for his flawed diplomatic truce with China.
“This incident caused a great deal of shock to
the Taiwanese community because China and the
Philippines took for granted our sovereignty and
human rights,” said Chair Tsai. “All this is a result
of President Ma’s self-limitation towards Taiwan
and towards the R.O.C. as well as China’s degra-
dation of Taiwan. Inconspicuously, President Ma
has already weakened our national interests in
foreign relations, security and defense.”
Furthermore, Chair Tsai said that it appears
that Taiwan’s diplomatic truce and international
space are all agreements entrusted to China’s ar-
rangements, but she believes that our sovereignty
is the greatest price to pay.
Chair Tsai explained, “It is worrisome that
first, there will be a gradual manifestation of
negative influences by firstly seeking China’s ap-
proval to join international organizations, fixing
Taiwan’s international status as part of China.
Secondly, Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, perplexed
by our diplomatic truce with China, will actively
seek their own relations with China, and even if
China postpones establishing diplomatic relations
with them, there will be substantial separation
with Taiwan. Moreover, President Ma’s diplo-
matic truce causes a confusion in distinguishing
enemies or foe among our diplomatic staff and
adversely influences foreign relations expansion.”
Chair Tsai also mentioned that the deportation
of 14 Taiwan nationals by the Philippines to China
show that Taiwan’s strategic role in Asia Pacific is
becoming increasingly blurred. She said this
causes an impact on the international commu-
nity’s understanding of Taiwan and China.
PAGE 4

JANUARY 2011

DPP’s New Year Wish: Create a Vision for Taiwan’s Future

On the first day of work after the Lunar New servants’ pensions, Chair Tsai declared.
Year holidays, DPP Chair Tsai Ing-wen, along
with Secretary-General Su Chia-chuan, sat down
with members of the media to welcome the new DPP announces nomination
spring. timeline
Chair Tsai presented her expectations as a party
At the February 9th Central Standing Committee,
leader for the tasks facing the DPP. She said that
the DPP passed the deadline for completion of
she hoped to see the smooth completion of inter-
selecting party candidates for the upcoming legis-
nal party management and operations, including
lative and presidential elections. The deadline is
the challenges in the upcoming presidential and
April 30.
legislative elections. She also said that she hoped
DPP Chair Tsai Ing-wen told the media after
that this year’s nominees for the legislative elec-
the meeting that the DPP cannot act in an overly
tions, chosen with a change in the 2007 primary
optimistic manner, but must be cautious and pru-
system and with a unified party’s backing, will
dent in order to combine the power of the entire
receive the approval of society.
party to face these two important election chal-
Chair Tsai announced that, in the upcoming
lenges.
months, the party will concentrate on the opera-
“I hope to see the nomination process for the
tions of the new think tank, particularly focusing
legislative and presidential elections go smoothly
on the issues of Taiwan’s wealth gap, fair distribu-
to show that the DPP is a mature party, capable of
tive justice, Taiwan’s industrial prospects and the
handling internal competition and meeting the
future direction of cross strait affairs.
expectations of society,” Chair Tsai said.
“The years of the Ma administration have re-
Chair Tsai also declared that this nomination
sulted in our young people being unable to find a
for legislative elections will place an additional
direction or a future, and, for this reason, we hope
emphasis on professionalism so that future DPP
the think tank will be able to find a path and a fu-
legislators will have even greater fighting strength
ture vision for Taiwan,” said Chair Tsai.
in the Legislative Yuan.
The DPP additionally plans to launch a reform
The Central Standing Committee also decided
proposal for this legislative session, a proposal
that the registration of candidates wishing to par-
which will include reform in the laws governing
ticipate in the legislative elections will run from
finance, national security, government reconstruc-
tion and the 18% preferential interest rate for civil ... continued on the next page

PAGE 5
 JANUARY 2011

... continued "om the previous page DEMOCRACY &

PROGRESS
...DPP announces nomination timeline
PUBLISHED BY:
March 8 to 12 at the DPP Headquarters. DPP Spokesperson
Lin You-chang announced that from March 21 to April 8, the Department of International
DPP will conduct polling and by end of April, the list of Affairs Democratic
Progressive Party
party candidates will be presented to the public.

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

DIRECTOR:
Bikhim Hsiao

DEPUTY DIRECTORS:
Hsieh Huai-hui

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:
Michael J. Fonte

EDITOR:
Ping-Ya Hsu

PAGE 6