May New Democracies Bring Glory to the Pacific
Your Excellency President Saca of El Salvador, Your Excellency Vice President Bazan of Panama, Your Excellency Vice President Rizo of Nicaragua, Vice President Lu, Co-chairman Gilman, Distinguished Guests from the Pacific Countries, Dear Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen: Good morning!
Today, twenty-three nations from the Pacific Rim have convened in Taipei to commence the 2004 Democratic Pacific Assembly. This is truly a historic moment, ushering in a new era for the region's emerging democracies and bringing glory to the Pacific. On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I would like to extend my warmest welcome to all the participating dignitaries. You have come from afar to promote a Democratic Pacific Union under the common values established during the Inaugural Democratic Pacific Assembly in 2003, that of democracy, peace and prosperity. Let me also take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation for the enthusiasm and commitment you have shown in this noble endeavor.
Two decades ago, a "third wave" of democratization swept through the globe, bringing about the democratic transformation of many Asian countries--Taiwan included. It also spurred closer interactions among the nations of the Pacific Rim on many fronts, encompassing political, economic, cultural, and even security issues. However, as we prepare for the advent of a restructured international order, the threat of terrorism once again casts a shadow over global peace and security, while environmental and ecological concerns continue to pose serious challenges to the one and only Earth on which our survival depends.
In 2004, the new democracies of the Pacific face yet another crucial turning point: whether the deepening of democracy and the pursuit of reform can be sustained. Only a government that is committed to solidifying democracy and persisting with reform will garner the support of the people, and thus be able to establish a sound political system and lay a solid foundation for sustainable development.
To the east of the Pacific, the United States is priming for its presidential election; and several of Taiwan's allies--including El Salvador, Panama and the Dominican Republic--have all embraced the rise of new leadership in their respective countries. To the west of the Pacific, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia will hold either presidential elections or parliamentary elections this year; furthermore, Singapore has just completed a transfer of power. Even Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (PRC), has been striving against authoritarianism for more than a year to win democracy and freedom. Without a doubt, the entire Pacific Rim has now entered a pivotal time for the consolidation and deepening of democracy.
This year, the 2004 Democratic Pacific Assembly is being held here in Taipei with a particular historical significance. In the face of numerous barriers and constant challenges to the consolidation and deepening of democracy, we take comfort in Taiwan's success in completing its presidential election, setting a commendable example for the emerging democracies in the Pacific region. These achievements were made possible all because we have never relinquished our confidence in Taiwan and our persistence with reform.
"Reaching out to the Ocean" and "Marching towards the World" have been the major driving forces behind Taiwan's development and international participation. Henceforth, Taiwan is committed to such issues as advocacy of democracy, economic prosperity, marine development, security, and sustainable development. Moreover, we look forward to the expeditious establishment of a Democratic Pacific Union, through which we hope to share Taiwan's accomplishments and experiences in the realms of democracy, peace, and prosperity with our allies and friends.
It is obvious to all that Taiwan has long been excluded from the United Nations because of China's obstruction, which extends even to international organizations whose scope of activities is primarily non-governmental. China has made consistent efforts to hinder Taiwan's bid to join the World Health Organization (WHO) and our participation in international conferences, such as those under the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Needless to say, China's tactics also include undermining our diplomatic relations.
In addition to isolating Taiwan internationally, China has also aggressively built up its military power and expanded its annual military expenditure at the rate of a double-digit percentage increase. It has augmented the number of missiles, as well as naval and air forces units deployed against Taiwan, while trying to establish a military supremacy strong enough to counter possible intervention in the Taiwan Strait from the United States, Japan, and other countries. Beijing’s military intimidation against Taiwan is a threat not only to Taiwan's democratic system, but also to the security and stability of the region.
It is worth noting that recently, China has actively prepared itself for what are known as the "three types of warfare"--psychological, media, and legal. In other words, apart from resorting to the use of force, China is seeking to shake the morale of our armed forces and undermine the psychological preparedness of our people by taking advantage of a political system that is still undergoing democratic transition. In addition, the PRC has also tried to realize the "One China" principle through legalistic means, attempting to belittle, marginalize or even annex Taiwan.
In particular, China is now pressing forward with the PRC National Unification Promotion Law, widely known as the Unification Law, under which Taiwan is considered a "special political region" of the PRC. The draft bill attempts to provide the so-called "legal basis" for the use of force against Taiwan in the future. It is an issue of grave concern for Taiwan and all countries in the Pacific Rim.
The PRC's governance in Hong Kong--its special administrative region--has resulted in several mass protests of some 500,000 residents, demanding direct democracy and condemning the infringement of their freedom of speech. In this context, China's intention of making democratic Taiwan a "special political region" of the PRC not only threatens the security of Taiwan and thwarts its democratic development, but also poses a serious threat to the transformation of emerging democracies in Asia.
In spite of China's international blockade, diplomatic isolation and military intimidation, Taiwan remains resolute in its pursuit of peace, democracy and prosperity. With unwavering determination, we shall continue to actively participate in international affairs and persist in "reaching out to the ocean and marching towards the world." The formation of the Democratic Pacific Union, therefore, will provide a platform for dialogue and cooperation on both sides of the Pacific Ocean; it will also establish the framework for the "value alliance," "security alliance," and "economic alliance" between Taiwan and other democracies across the Pacific.
I would like to take this opportunity to expound on the term "value alliance": Taiwan shares longstanding friendship with the United States, Japan, and many other allies--such firm relations are based on the preservation of our common interests, and, more importantly, on our shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights and peace. The most significant implication of a value alliance lies in the sharing and safeguarding of these universal values, which serve as the foundation to establish constructive partnership of reciprocity and mutual prosperity.
As for "security alliance," we believe that democratic countries on both sides of the Pacific Ocean should work hand in hand to build a security alliance, and together deal with issues that may affect the security and stability in the Pacific Rim. Through constant dialogue, confidence and mutual trust can be fostered, upon which the consensus and effective mechanism can be created to ensure regional stability.
With the acceleration of globalization and regional integration, it has become crucial for every country and government to collaborate in identifying economic opportunities under globalization, share the benefits of trade liberalization, and fully safeguard the economic welfare of the people. Democratic allies on both sides of the Pacific should therefore embrace the formation of an "economic alliance." By building the value alliance, security alliance and economic alliance into a complementary and interdependent trio, all of us can stride forward in our pursuit of democracy, peace and prosperity.
In closing, let me once again extend my warmest welcome to all of you. I am confident that the 2nd Democratic Pacific Assembly will help hasten the birth of a Democratic Pacific Union in the very near future. I wish this conference great success and each of you good health and happiness. Thank you.