DPP Newsletter July2013

8/22/2019 DPP Newsletter July2013

1/12

JULY 2013

PAGE 1

DEMOCRACY & PROGRESS

Peoples rights cannot be infringed on,democracy cannot go backwards!

Democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule

of law are valuable assets achieved through the

blood and tears of the Taiwanese people. The

DPP has always been a staunch defender of

these values, but at the moment, they are facing

their biggest threat. The people have used non-

violent means to simply advocate for their

stands, and we have seen incidents where the

people have encountered beatings and interro-

gations by police for simple cases such as draw-

ing towels with their viewpoints or even cross-ing a street across government-blocked zones.

When faced with the peoples pleas or resis-

tance, the governing power must take a step

back and listen to their voices in order to under-

stand why the public is feeling resentful. How-

ever, the governing power has not only failed to

show modesty or to conduct a self-reflection,

they have also abused the states power to ex-

cessively enforce the law, infringing on the ba-

sic human rights of freedom of expression and

suppressing the rights of citizens to participate

in civic society.

Joint statement by six counties and cities under DPPadministration


2/12

JULY 2013

PAGE 2

In the event of these occurrences, the DPP ex-

presses its strongest condemnation in the most

solemn manner. Absolutely not, can we be gov-

erned by perversity or allow the government to

brutally lash on its people. Even more, we cannotallow for the values of democracy, freedom, hu-

man rights and the rule of law turn backwards!

Taiwan is not a police state, and we cannot let

Taiwan to become such!

In order to protect the peoples right to express

their opinions and to prevent the government

from suppressing civic rights, besides creating a

legal aid group, the DPP plans to actively provide

assistance to citizens whose rights have been in-fringed on. For those who have been mistreated

by the police, the DPP issues the following three

points:

1. We stand firm in protecting the peoples right

to express their opinions. The six administra-

tions governed by the DPP has already de-

cided to join in a cohesive effort to request all

police under their jurisdictions to strictly ad-

here to the law, not to exceed the legal

boundaries, and not to engage in inappropri-

ate handling or arresting of its citizens. We

also appeal for other counties and cities to

join these efforts.

2. We solemnly request to the national govern-

ment that from now on, they must not com-

mand the police force to disrespect the peo-

ples freedom, human rights or to violate the

democratic rule of law. The police should be

the protector of the people, and they should

not be participant to the suppression of the

peoples right to speak or their right to civic

participation.

3. We sincerely appeal to the entire police force,

that in times when similar activities are taking

place, if they meet with unreasonable com-

mands by the national security agencies, to

persist in the standpoint of protecting the

people, their freedoms and to ensure their se-

curity.


3/12

JULY 2013

PAGE 3

Since the government passed the cross strait serv-

ices trade agreement in Taiwan, all sectors of

Taiwanese society have voiced strong opposition

to the government signing such trade agreement

in a non-transparent manner.

DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang paid a visit on July 27

to the large group of protesters against the serv-

ices agreement sitting-in on Ketagalan Boulevard.

Just about when the special legislative sessionwas about to begin on July 29, when the agree-

ment is set to be reviewed and deliberated, Chair

Su assured the protesters that the DPP continues

to stand opposed to non-transparent cross strait

deals and that the DPP would give it its all to en-

sure the means of sustenance to the Taiwanese

people.

Today the people stand here in front of the presi-

dential office to tell President Ma and his admini-stration that they are dissatisfied with the KMTs

non-transparent way of signing agreements, he

said.

Chair Su further affirmed to the protesters present

that the DPP would stand on their side and collec-

tively voice their opinions to request

President Ma and the KMT to under-

stand their viewpoints. He said that it

was necessary that this administrationunderstands the needs of the industry

and to allow them to participate in the

debate. He lastly promised that in the

Legislative Yuan, the DPP will review

each item of the agreement carefully,

and that it will make sure that the

KMT legislative caucus will not pass

the agreement relentlessly.

Earlier on that week, Chair Su visitedthe community of Pingxi in Taoyuan

County and sat down with workers in the hair

care services industry. He urged them to call their

local KMT legislators to demand them to repre-

sent their interest, instead of obeying to what

President Ma and the party tells them to do.

A representative from the beauty salon industry

expressed worry about the services agreement,

saying that she was concerned about the Chinese

influence on their industry. She said that it is gen-erally known that hair salons are places where

advertising are effective because most customers

must stay in the shops for at least one hour, and

there is no preventing of Chinese investors and

workers coming to hair salons to advertise their

ideology.

Another representative from a barber shop asso-

ciation said he was mainly concerned about the

degrading situation in barber shops with the latestsurging of 100NT barber shops run by large cor-

porations. He said that their business have fallen

50% due to bad economic times, and they are

concerned that it would be even worst with more

Chinese investors coming-in to this industry.

DPP stands firm in opposing non-transparent cross strait agreements


4/12

JULY 2013

PAGE 4

In response to the Ma administrations use of ad-

ministrative resources to propagandize the services

trade agreement between Taiwan and China, DPP

Spokesperson Wang Min-Sheng announced on

July 10 the launching of a website created by the

DPP to support those affected by the services

agreement.

The website is aimed at providing information of

resources and places to turn to for those that have

been negatively impacted by the agreement. The

main headline on the website states, The services

trade agreement between Taiwan and China

is looming: What to do?.

The DPP will also create 50,000 leaflets asking the

public, Do you know what they signed? in order

for the Taiwanese people to understand the impact

of the agreement on Taiwans industry, society and

the job market in a comprehensive way, urging

them to push their district legislators to protect

their rights in deliberating the agreement at the

special session of the Legislative Yuan to start end

of July. The leaflets will be distributed to each city

chapter and party service branchesand reach

crowds in markets, bus and train stations and tem-

ples.

The website is built by staff at the DPP headquar-

ters, and it has been linked to the DPPs official

website and on Facebook.

People need to

find help for

themselves, said

Wang, citing a

survey on general

public knowledgeregarding the

services trade

agreement, which

showed that most

people had only

vague ideas about

the content of the

agreement due to

lack of transpar-

ency in the nego-tiation process.

In the survey,

among employees of the opened industries in the

agreement, only 22.10 % of the informants knew

that their industry was in the opened list, while up

to 62.60% wrongly thought they werent. Still an-

other 16.3% had no knowledge whether they were

included at all.

Among the self-employed, only 24.7% had learned

DPP launches website, issues pamphlets toexplain impact of cross strait services

agreement


5/12

JULY 2013

PAGE 5

that their industry had been opened, while 57.6%

thought they were not included and 17.6% reported

they had no knowledge.

Among professional workers, only 26.8% knew thattheir industry had been opened, while 58.9%

thought they were not included; still another 14.30%

said to have no knowledge. Mr. Wang said, given

that the services industry make up 70% of Taiwans

GDP, with about 5 million workers at stake, the im-

pact of the agreement is enormous. However, the

Ma administration has hidden the truth, leaving peo-

ple ill-informed about the impact confronting them.

Mr. Wang further explained that the website sug-gests three methods to understand and respond to the

services agreement. First, it urges people to find out

if their industry has been included. Second, they

should call their district legislators to assure sub-

stantial deliberation of the agreement that protect

Taiwans industries in a way

that the people, not President

Ma or the KMT, would expect it

to. Third, people may join the

Defend Our Jobs movementand spread it through Facebook

so more people will be able to

see if they are at stake, too.

When asked how he felt about

the presence of two officials

from the Ministry of Economy

gathering information at the

press conference on that day,

Mr. Wang said it was good if

the government would listen to

the opinions of the people and

the industries. He added that the

DPP had gathered the peoples

and industrys thoughts about

the agreement, and it will fully

represent them, instead of tak-

ing heed of whatever the KMT

and President Ma says, as the

current government has been

doing.

Citing newspaper news that Taiwan and New Zea-

land are soon signing the Economic Cooperation

Agreement (ECA), Mr. Wang said that New Zealandand Singapore are quite different countries from

China as they are free economies. He further said

that the DPP has been committed to free trade

agreements with the two countries since it was in

power, and it continues to support further economic

cooperation. Lastly, he said that the DPP will en-

courage its legislators to help revise tax laws in fa-

vor of the agreement when it is under substantial

deliberation.


6/12

JULY 2013

PAGE 6

Uncover truth, go after those responsible,push for military reform in Hungs death:

DPP

Regarding the death of the army conscript this July

and inciting a public crisis in the military, Chair Su

Tseng-chang gave a report of the DPPs plan of ac-tion at the Central Standing Committee on July 17,

listing three major demands that the DPP has made

to the KMT administration, which were: uncover

the truth, go after those responsible and push for

reform.

Chair Su said that the incident took place almost

half a month ago and there has been no uncovering

of the truth so far. He said that the public has seen

enough bureaucratic wrangling, including inconsis-tent statements by officials after the incident. Addi-

tionally, missing video footage has also caused the

public to increase their bad impression of the mili-

tary system in Taiwan.

Seeing that the most basic demand by the victims

family and the public is for the government to un-

cover the truth, and there are no developments so

far, the DPP wishes to use its influence to push for

more reform, Chair Su said. He announced the

DPPs formulation of a subcommittee through the

joint efforts of the DPP Headquarters

and its legislative caucus with the

purpose to research and draft bills on

how to reform Taiwans military.

He announced at the meeting that the

DPP Central Standing Committee has

passed the forming of the subcom-mittee and its members will include

legislators Gao Jyh-peng, Wu Ping-

jui, Hsiao Bi-khim, Chen Ting-fei

and Tsai Chi-chang; and DPPs Dep-

uty Secretary-General Lee Chun-yi.

Chair Su also expressed his condo-

lences to the Hung family, saying that

not only the victim, Hung Chong-chiu, suffered in

this incident, but his family is also in pain. The mili-tary should be solely focused on finding those re-

sponsible so that his family can find some peace, he

said.

However, this is not the first incident of military

abuse in Taiwan, said Chair Su. He said that in view

of the publics dissatisfaction with the military, the

DPP Legislative Caucus has set-up a complaint hot-

line for the public to file complaints for those serv-

ing in the army whether professionally or as part ofthe conscription service. DPP legislators with legal

aid background will distribute the work between

them to handle each case in an efficient manner.


7/12

JULY 2013

PAGE 7

Expanded China Forums opens this monthat the DPP

The month of July saw two important events for the

DPP in cross strait affairs, with two forums held

concentrated on China policy. The forums were or-

ganized by the DPPs China Affairs Committee,

which was formed in May of this year.

Since China Affairs Committee meetings are pri-

vately held and smaller in size, these forums, titled

the Huashan China Forums, will be more com-

prehensive and expansive, open to members of theacademia, think tanks, interested public citizens as

well as officials or former officials from different

political parties and government administrations.

The DPP will hold a total of nine Huashan China

Forums.

99 Resolution still the DPPs core value

The first forum meeting was held on July 4, subti-

tled Main Values and Visions for Taiwans ChinaPolicy, and it was presided by Chair Su Tseng-

chang.

In his concluding remarks, Chair Su said that it was

important for the DPPs China policy to be interna-

tional in nature. He said that in his visits to Singa-

pore, Japan, the United States and Canada, he dis-

covered that even though Taiwan is small, it plays

an important role in influencing the worlds state of

affairs.

He further said that our international friends are

interested in Taiwans developments, and they also

have wide expectations for when the DPP returns to

power. He lastly appealed for everyone to have

confidence in Taiwan.

Participants discussed the DPPs Resolution regard-

ing Taiwans Future, which according to Chair Su,

still remained a core value for the DPP. Even

though ideologically, the DPPs China Policy had

some differences with the KMT, he stressed that it

was essential that both political parties not to be

engaged in a competition game for Beijings sup-

port.

The 92 Consensus

The second Huashan China Forum was held on July

25. Chiu I-jen, who served as national security ad-

viser during the past DPP administration, presided

over the meeting. The92 Consensus was the main

topic discussed.

Director of the DPPs Public Survey Center Wu

Hsiang-jung first presented public opinion sur-

veys on the peoples views towards the 92

Consensus. Following, there were remarks by

Mr. Su Chi, former secretary-general of the Na-

tional Security Council under the KMT admini-

stration; Mr. Chen Ming-tong, former chairman

of the Mainland Affairs Council and Mr. Chen

Rong-jye, former secretary-general of the

Straits Exchange Foundation under the DPP

administration; and lastly, Mr. Shen Fu-hsiung,

former DPP legislator.


8/12

JULY 2013

PAGE 8

Two main points were issued by

the DPP at a press statement en-

suing the meeting, which are

highlighted below:

1. The DPP advocates peace,

protecting Taiwans sover-

eignty and insisting on the

value of democracy. In order

to find alternative methods to

the 92 Consensus, party

members have issued sugges-

tions that include: different

constitutional interpretations,

the DPPs 1999 Resolutionregarding Taiwans Future,

strengthen the awareness of

the Republic of China,

among others. All these can

serve as policy directions, but

they must all go through

more wide internal party dis-cussion.

2. In order to pursue cross strait

peace and for Taiwan to have

greater international space at

the same time, besides having

to take into account the China

and US factors, we must take

greater consideration to the

views of the Taiwanese pub-lic. Especially, we must be

able to show to the Taiwanese

people that they can trust the

DPP to be capable of han-

dling cross strait relations.

This is the most important

issue that the DPP musttackle with.

The third Huashan China Forum

will be titled Reactions to

Chinas Influences on Taiwan,

and it will be presided by Mr. Yu

Shyi-kun, former premier under

the DPP administration. The date

of the meeting will be later an-

nounced by the DPPs China Af-fairs Committee.

Remarks by Chair Su Tseng-chang at firstHuashan China Forum

July 4, 2013

There were some that didnt have

a positive outlook on the forma-

tion of the DPPs China Affairs

Committee, doubting that the

DPP was capable of gathering a

consensus. Nevertheless today,

not only has the China Affairs

Committee been formed, but wehave also held our first meeting. I

am delighted today to participate,

and following the lines of our

Taiwans China Agenda, we hope

to gather more opinions from re-

spected members of the party,

ushering-in more voices from

civic society so that we can en-

gage in wide dis-

cussion, and so thatwe can learn from

each other. We

have planned to

hold nine meetings

in order to talk

more extensively

and in-depth. Dur-

ing the process of

formulating a pol-

icy toward China,we must find ways

to create a policy that not justreflects the partys core founda-

tion, but it must also represent

the wide support of civic society.

The China Policy is now the

topic of the times in which all

Taiwanese must face. Especially

now, the current situation is one

where China is not just across the

Strait, but the China factor hasalready entered Taiwan, and their

strategy towards Taiwan is be-

coming more refined and deli-

cate. Whether one is used to it or

not, Taiwan must face up to it

and respond accordingly; and

whether we like it or not, the

DPP has the responsibility to is-

sue a China policy that conforms

to the interests of Taiwans fu-ture.


9/12

JULY 2013

PAGE 9

However, the agendas of the people of Taiwan vary

based on their different values. Additionally, the

interaction between Taiwan and China should not

be solely on bilateral relations because it impactsthe balance of power among the countries in the

region as well as the competition and cooperation

between the major powers. The public at the mo-

ment is growingly dissatisfied towards the ruling

party for their overly-inclined China policy, and

they are identifying more with the DPPs persis-

tence in safeguarding Taiwan. At the same time, the

public also highly expects the DPP to take more

concrete actions in regards to cross strait relations.

On one hand, we must continue adhering to our

mission of safeguarding the Taiwan consensus. On

the other hand, we must also strengthen and bal-

ance our capabilities towards those with different

values.

Hence, in a complex and challenging environment,

we are here to explore our hearts aspirations and

confront the China factor. We must explore which

values are those in which Taiwan can absolutely not

abandon and which ideals we must pursue. Three

years ago, I took the lead in issuing the idea of a

Taiwan Consensus, promoting survival is king and

democracy as the foundation. The Taiwan Consen-

sus that I advocate is one in which a consensus is

gathered on the efforts made for hundreds of years

by generations of Taiwanese people for survival

and livelihood. I believe in the question: why

should we discuss the future if we cant survive

now? If we cannot preserve the current democratic

system, in which we all live freely and democrati-

cally and in which we can democratically deter-

mine our core values, what is the meaning of sim-

ply surviving?

The DPP is an open and diverse political party. In

regards to confronting China, there are many dif-

ferent opinions within the party, and this is a nor-

mal phenomenon. I have no doubt that the discus-

sion today will be quite animated, and I dont ex-

pect anyone to reserve their opinions. The DPP has

never been shy of discussion because diverse opin-

ion justly reflects the DPPs nature. This also shows

to the outside world the DPPs innovative and

lively characteristics. However, having discussion

doesnt mean there will be a winning or losing side,or with the purpose to trample on anyone. Dealing

with China doesnt mean that one is pro-China or

anti-China. I believe that if we are all in Taiwan, we

are all on the same side, and we all have the same

objectives. What we need to do is to protect Tai-

wans core values, to create the most beneficial in-

terest for Taiwan, and to issue a policy of stability

and peace for the region, bringing out our greatest

contribution. Let us give all our efforts.

Thank You!


10/12

JULY 2013

PAGE 10

China Afairs Committee: strengthen Tai-wans economic advantages, develop cross

strait equalityThe China Affairs Committee held its second meet-

ing on July 11, two months after the last meeting on

May 9, and which will continue to be held every

two months. Below are the summary points of the

meeting:

The economy is Taiwans lifeline and the growing

Chinese economy is a topic that Taiwan cannot

avoid. Since the cross strait relationship is a com-plex one, Taiwans economic relationship with

China is not less simple. We must not solely take the

point of view from the economy and trade to deal

with Chinas economic relationship. Consequently,

Taiwans economic relationship with China should

have a strategic objective. We believe that our eco-

nomic strategy towards China should be focused on

two main objectives:

1. Strengthen Taiwans economic advantages(1) Strengthen capital markets compared to

other Asian countries, Taiwans capital

market is mature, containing high liquid-

ity and possessing sound structures and

sufficient regulatory provisions. These

advantages are reasons enough why we

should protect Taiwans capital market

and incentivize investors, Taiwanese

businessmen and foreign investments to

stay in Taiwan.(2) Maintain technological lead in order to

maintain our lead on the technological

industry and for Taiwans economy to

remain autonomous, the deepening of

cross strait trade should not be subject to

China. In regards to Taiwans highly-

developed manufacturing industry, its

managerial and operational know-how

and its R&D capacity, the governing

authorities should provide them with an

optimal operational environment in Tai-

wan. At the same time, it must also nego-

tiate with China on strengthening IPR

protection.

(3) Retaining talent With Taiwans social

security network, which includes na-

tional healthcare, the pension system and

labor protection, retaining our talent

should be key. This is also a protective

measure for the effects of globalization.Encouraging our citizens to remain in

Taiwan would mean more local consum-

erism and ensuring Taiwans economic

vitality.

(4) Guarding our core values freedom, fair-

ness, openness and diversity are impor-

tant foundations for Taiwans civic soci-

ety. These are essential elements that

pushed Taiwans economic development,

and they are also the core values thatprotect Taiwans sovereign existence. In

order to become an exceptional capitalist

society, no matter how economic and

trade interactions between Taiwan and

China develop, these values must be in-

sisted on.

2. Developing an equal cross strait relationship

Since Taiwan and China dont have equal eco-

nomic systems, and Taiwans market is highlycompetitive and open while Chinas is strictly

controlled, the cross strait exchange process

must go through two principles, which is the

careful protection of the democratic process and

non-transparency. Furthermore, the benefits of

cross strait exchanges must be enjoyed by eve-

ryone. Lastly, Taiwan has not asked for conces-

sions by China or has it necessarily benefited so

far in cross strait exchanges, and this is the rea-

son why it is essential that we build an equal

cross strait relationship.


11/12

JULY 2013

PAGE 11

Second DPP Youth Training kicks of

Starting on July 30, the DPPs Department of Youth

Affairs hosted for its second year a youth program

for students and recent graduates with seminars and

on-site training on public policy and civic participa-

tion, including arranging participants to intern at

the DPP headquarters for a period of two weeks ormore. According to Mr. Chou Yu-shou, deputy di-

rector of the Youth Department, this year was spe-

cial because the DPP also coordinated for the se-

lected interns to serve traineeships at non-profit or-

ganizations.

Even though tens of thousands of young people ap-

plied, the Youth Department was only able to select

24 outstanding individuals. However, this was an

increase of one third from last year, where only 18individuals were selected to participate.

The aim of the program is to inspire youth to ac-

tively participate in public affairs, to develop a plat-

form where young people can engage in politics

and to promote democracy as well as to keep up-to-

date on issues that matter to youth today.

DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang was also present at the

program opening to welcome the participants and

meet them face-to-face.

We are an open party and we hope to encourage

practical learning through real apprenticeship,

Chair Su said. We also wish to encourage the par-

ticipants present to take advantage of this opportu-

nity to learn materials in which they dont usually

see in the standard textbook.

Chair Su also gave his words of wisdom to the

young participants by suggesting to them to never

abandon their dreams, to look to the future and play

to their strengths, and to use their knowledge to

serve the community.

Participants came from different universities all

across the country and from different majors. A

graduate in the major of Italian Language and Lit-erature from Fujen Catholic University said that

their reason for participating was because of per-

sonal interests in political participation. Another

student from National Chengchi University in the

field of law said they participated because growing

up in China, they didnt have exposure to politics

and civic participation.


12/12

JULY 2013

PAGE 12

DEMOCRACY &

PROGRESS

PUBLISHED BY:

Department of InternationalAffairs DemocraticProgressive 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]

Documents

DPP Newsletter July2013