Taipei, Nov. 18 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian drew a fine line between politics and culture Thursday, saying that Taiwan should accept Chinese culture, which is not the same as "being assimilated by China."
Speaking at a conference of the National Cultural Association, Chen said Taiwan should keep spreading excellent Chinese culture, enrich its own culture and foster self-confidence and cultural tolerance in tune with its democracy."
Noting that the virtues that he said are treasured by Chinese culture, such as benevolent government, kindheartedness, peace, honor, harmony and friendliness are also vital to a modern country and society, Chen said they are valuable assets of all Chinese and there is no question of discarding them because of their Chinese origin. "We do not accept China's military threat against the 23 million people of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, but political rivalry should not necessarily drive us to get rid of anything reminiscent of China," Chen said.
As to the controversy surrounding guidelines came up by the Ministry of Education for history textbooks used in senior high schools, Chen said Taiwan is an island that has been exposed to various cultures. However, the Kuomintang suppressed the development of local culture and interpreted history in its own view. Now, he went on, it is time to review history in perspective.
Chen said his administration respects different historical aspects and will leave the controversy in the hands of historians, but will not agree with those who cast doubt on the sovereignty of the Republic of China.
Noting that the guidelines are still being worked on and that public opinion will be consulted before they are finalized, Chen said he regrets that some politicians have picked them apart as "good for nothing, " consider them part of his administration's efforts to "distance itself from China" and have even "blamed me for them."
In a democracy, Chen said, everybody is entitled to his or her own opinion, but no one should force his own views on others. The same rule should apply to the controversy caused by the history textbook guidelines, he said.