Today (May 5), at three in the afternoon, upon completion of the "Island Partners, A Sunny Trip," President Chen Shui-bian spoke.
Herein is the content of the president's talk:
My dear countrymen, the five day four night "Island Partners, A Sunny Trip" has come to completion as a result of the hard work of the participants and staff.
Some members of the media have called this trip a surprise, but A-bian sees it differently. A-bian believes that we must not make use of serendipitous surprises or sudden breakthroughs as we expand our international relations and solidify our alliances.
Taiwan must proudly stand up for itself and sternly step out. We depend on the strength of our 23 million people, not by resigning to chance, and not by tossing in lots. Only if we step on solid ground and not limit ourselves and take one step at a time can we one day have a view of a limitless sky. A small nation like Taiwan can build a tower from the sand. Taiwan can have great achievements in foreign relations.
On this trip A-bian placed official visits to three allies: the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Tuvalu. These nations are small in area and they have small populations. Although, they are small nations, they truly have a strong will. They are members of the United Nations and have the privilege to share power with the international society. They have spoken on behalf of Taiwan on numerous occasions in international organizations.
It's the same with the stopover in Fiji. Now, Taiwan and Fiji do not have an official relationship, but as a result of the long-term agricultural and social improvement and educational assistance Taiwan has given to Fiji and as a result of Fiji government's speaking out on behalf of Taiwan on numerous occasions in the United Nations and in its support or Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization, we have had a comfortable, safe and convenient visit. A-bian can not thank these four nations enough for their friendship.
All we need to do is not give up, and not underestimate ourselves and there is nothing that we can not do, because heaven is without limit!
Today PFP Chairman James Soong is in China on a trip just days after the completion of KMT Chairman Lien Chan's trip there. The people of our country have many different views about these trips, even to the extent that some worry Taiwan is doomed and that Taiwan has fallen into Beijing's unification trap. There has been a lot of emotional argument on the issue.
Such as it is that these many voices are indicative of the democracy of Taiwan, and we should be all the more proud and confident to know that Taiwan has gone through so many changes, and is so capable of putting up with change and bravely carrying on its democratic path. After the 80s opposition movement, after so many were arrested and locked up, the Taiwan people finally brought an end to the period of martial law and opened the door to democratic transformation.
In both 1996, when the first president was directly chosen by vote, and in 2000, when the first transfer of power occurred, people expressed their fear that China might attack but we used our love for democracy and our votes to fight against fear and the threat of violence. Taiwan's seemingly chaotic internal battles and cross-Strait situation have made it possible to uphold a strong basis in democracy and strengthen its structure.
Standing at the topmost strategic spot of the nation, A-bian is well aware of the viscidities of the situation at hand and has a complete grasp and is totally prepared. A-bian is intimately familiar with warming relations between the ruling and opposition parties and the cross-Strait peace talks and he knows that the benefit of the 23 million people of Taiwan must be taken into consideration. Any actions taken, whether they be by the ruling party or the opposition party, no sacrifice must be made that would compromise the sovereignty of the nation or the overall benefit of the people of Taiwan.
A-bian has made it very clear to both Lien and Soong before their departure and they gave their guarantee to hold to this principle. The biggest difference between Taiwan and China is that the great people of Taiwan have the wisdom to judge and strictly monitor every word and action of their politicians.
So, A-bian sincerely hopes that his fellow countrymen can judge actions and not individuals and that they can respect individual freedom of speech and the beliefs of other parties, and to allow the mechanism of a democratic society to monitor the words and actions of party leaders. And this is why the US government and other nations have all advised the leaders of China that no matter what party or what person they speak to, they must finally speak with the president "chosen by the people" and his chosen government. The international community believes in Taiwan's democracy and we can not take improper steps, we must strengthen our bonds and our beliefs.
I remember on my trip of the Marshall Islands, Marshall Islands President Note welcomed A-bian to sail with him. It made me realize that the captain and the helmsman can not let out the sails on their own. The duty of the captain and the helmsman set the course and lead the oars, they are in charge of the overall direction, but it is up to everyone else to cooperate so that the wind may carry the sails and drive the vessel.
We are extremely honored to have aboriginal people from the Democratic Progressive Party, the People's First Party and the Chinese Nationalist Party accompany us on our visit of these South Pacific islands that share cultural heritage with Taiwan. Taiwan diplomacy can not just depend upon the Democratic Progressive Party. Opposition party participation plays an important role in diplomacy. We are all in competition as far as internal affairs is concerned, but in facing the outside world, we have got to surpass party and ethnicity and must face the outside world as one in order to have the best results.
As far as the infighting and results caused by the visits of Chairman Lien and Chairman Soong to China are concerned, it does not matter to me what actual goal and results have resulted. As leader of the nation, A-bian cares most about how their itineraries have effected the stability of the nation, the security of people and the proper process of the law. If they have not clearly broken any law, and that what is under contention is but a difference of opinion, then the government would rather magnanimously open up to developments and not judge with individual opinion or party platform.
As leader of the nation, A-bian would like to know more about how the international community views the cross-Strait issue, and build the hope for a lasting peace, because this goal can not be completed by A-bian alone. If supporting roles are played by other parties and individuals, to help bring about normalization and a future "government to government" sequel, we would be very grateful.
We are very clear of the fact that an election happens in a very short period of time, and that the happiness of the people is what is everlasting. In one moment a person may win or lose, but the momentary win or loss does not harm or hamper the warming relations between the ruling and opposition parties or peaceful coexistence.
Let's work hard now! Thank you all!