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7/29/2019 DPP Newsletter Feb2013
1/8
FEBRUARY 2013
PAGE 1
DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS
DPP issues standpoint on governmentplans to hold referendum on nuclear power
As the Anti-nuclear Movement
relates to the peoples liveli-
hood, after thirty years of social
controversy and discussion, it is
very clear that Taiwanese soci-
ety refuses to live in fear of a
nuclear disaster. For this reason,
the DPP clearly advocates for
immediately stopping construc-
tion on the Fourth NuclearPower 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 be-
lieves 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 forsaving national resources and
social costs.
In the face of clear wishes ex-
pressed by public opinion, a re-
sponsible 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 out-
come. The DPP expresses its
most severe condemnation says
the statement.
The DPP also appealed Presi-
dent Ma Ying-jeous administra-
tion to ensure two tasks are met
if they continue insisting in car-
rying out the referendum:
1) Immediately lay-off any con-
struction work, stop execut-
ing any annual budgets and to
7/29/2019 DPP Newsletter Feb2013
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FEBRUARY 2013
PAGE 2
stop allocating additional
budgets for the plants con-
struction; and
2) Amend the Referendum Law,
reducing its thresholdamount to a realistic level to
allow real public representa-
tion.
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 amend-
ment 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 Head-
quarters will set-up working
groups that will involve discus-
sion, advocacy, organization
and political demonstration.
After the Central Standing
Committee, DPP Chair SuTseng-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 refer-
endum 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 referen-
dum to decide on the Fourth
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 isnot a result of the DPPs idle-
ness, but rather, the KMTs ob-
struction.
Even though the Executive
Yuan has announced a referen-
dum, 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 nu-
clear dependence in Taiwan,
Chair Su concluded.
7/29/2019 DPP Newsletter Feb2013
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FEBRUARY 2013
PAGE 3
DPP delegation returns from successfulJapan visit
A DPP delegation led by Chair Su Tseng-chang vis-ited Japan for five days from Feb. 3 to 7, including
legislative members Ker Chien-ming, Chen Ming-
wen, Chiu Yi-ying, Hsiao Bi-khim, Tsai Chi-chang,
Wu Ping-rui and Lee Kun-tse as well as DPP For-
eign 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 Taiwansneighboring countries. Second, he said he hoped to
hold closer exchanges on mutual security and pros-
perity 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., Ja-
pan and South Korea, Taiwan has built relation-
ships based on democracy, freedom and human
rights in order for this region to maintain securityand reduce tension, he said. Recent conflicts
have caused people to worry, therefore, the DPP
must strengthen the democratic alliance of neigh-boring countries in order to further maintain long-
term stability, security and prosperity in the re-
gion.
The DPP Japan Visit included rallies with overseas
Taiwanese groups, a visit to the headquarters of the
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP, ruling party of Ja-
pan) 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 re-
ceived 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 saidthe Taiwan-Japan friendship group plays an impor-
tant role in the relationship between both sides, es-
pecially 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 Taiwanesepublic hold favorable views
towards Japan in general.
He thanked the friendship
group for their efforts in
promoting the visa-free pol-
icy as well as other initia-
tives that drew the people of
Taiwan and Japan closer
together.
7/29/2019 DPP Newsletter Feb2013
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PAGE 4
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 beinga small country, the public responded immedi-
ately 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 maintainlong-term stability and security, he said. He ex-
pressed wishes for the future to continue
strengthening the democratic alliance through
closer dialogue and interaction.
On Feb. 5, the delegation held a breakfast meet-
ing 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 Minis-ter Shinzo Abe.
According to the DPPs Director of the Depart-
ment of International Affairs, Mr. Liu Shih-
chung, 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 fu-
ture, especially between younger members of
congress from both sides, which is the genera-tion 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 in-
stance, Chair Su said that the station looked small,
but the determination of the people to end nuclear
power showed that it can be carried out. He said he
hoped that Taiwan can be able to achieve a nuclear
free homeland.
7/29/2019 DPP Newsletter Feb2013
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FEBRUARY 2013
PAGE 5
DPP Chair Su meets AIT ChairmanRaymond Burghardt
On Feb. 1, Chairman of the American Insti-
tute in Taiwan (AIT), Mr. Raymond Burg-
hardt, 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 dis-
cussed.
Mr. Burghardt first welcomed the close ex-
changes between AIT officials and the DPPin Taiwan, and he also welcomed the
DPPs initiatives in re-establishing a repre-
sentative office in Washington, D.C. He
further said he looked forward to greeting
Chair Su in Washington, D.C. in his up-
coming visit in May.
Chair Su said the DPP strongly values US friend-
ship with Taiwan, citing his recent exchanges with
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski and Chairman EdRoyce of the U.S. House of Representatives Com-
mittee on Foreign Affairs where they discussed in-
depth 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 mili-
tary. 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 inorder 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 hesaid 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 Diaoyu-
tai issue.
He further said that since the U.S. and the interna-
tional 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 con-
tinued 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.
7/29/2019 DPP Newsletter Feb2013
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FEBRUARY 2013
PAGE 6
Despite rain and low temperatures, the DPP Rep-
resentative to the United States, Dr. Jaushieh Jo-
seph Wu, and his associates in the DPP office in
Washington, DC, kept a busy schedule as they vis-
ited 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 keypoints 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 Ad-
ministration 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 policyfrom the DPP.
Dr. Wu reassured his U.S. audience that the Party
has had meaningful exchanges with Chinas Tai-
wan 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 sover-
eignty disputes should not damage Taiwans rela-
tionships with its democratic partners in the Asia-
Pacific region, especially Japan and Southeast
Asian countries.
Finally, Dr. Wu reached out to pro-KMT expatri-
ate groups based on his past relationship with
Taiwanese communities across the political spec-
trum during his tenure as Taiwans Representative
to the United States.
Based on the success of this visit, Dr. Wu will re-
turn to the United States with DPP Chair Su
Tseng-chang to further strengthen the partys rela-
tionship with the United States. Noting that DPPhas formed several study groups on various
U.S.-Taiwan policy issues, he said with confi-
dence that the Party will be ready to answer
many important questions during Chair Sus visit
to Washington, DC.
DPP U.S. Representative concludes suc-cessful visit to Washington, D.C.
Dr. Joseph Wu with Rep. Steve Chabot,
Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
7/29/2019 DPP Newsletter Feb2013
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FEBRUARY 2013
PAGE 7
Invited to speak at the rally organized by the Tai-
wan Nation Alliance commemorating the 66th an-
niversary 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. KMT-
led forces tried to take control over the island after
loosing Chinas civil war. The KMT troops killedmore 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 pub-
lic 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 con-
trol 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. Ac-
cording to Legislator Cheng Li-chun, relatives of
the massacres victims were charged ridiculousamounts 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 vic-
tims, and instead, they should come from the ill-
gotten 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.
DPP chair appeals Taiwanese to be mas-ters of their own land on 66th Anniversary
of 228 Massacre
7/29/2019 DPP Newsletter Feb2013
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FEBRUARY 2013
PAGE 8
DPP issues statementon 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 InternationalAffairs Democratic
Progressive Party
9F, No. 30, Pei-Ping EastRoad, Taipei, Taiwan
Tel: 886-2-2392-9989 ext. 306
Fax: 886-2-2393-0342
Email: [email protected]
Website:
http://www.dpp.org.tw
http://www.dpp.org.tw/http://www.dpp.org.tw/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]