President Chen attended the inauguration of the Democratic Pacific Union this morning and welcomed the distinguished guests and visitors on behalf of the government and the people.
The president gave this following speech:
First, on behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the 23 million people of Taiwan, I would like to extend my warmest welcome to all distinguished guests who have come from afar to participate in the Democratic Pacific Union Inaugural Meeting.
All of you who have joined us today are witnesses to history, as well as makers of history.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. Sixty years ago on this day, August 14th, Japan's unconditional surrender to the Allied forces was a historic moment that effectively ended World War II. On September 2nd of the same year, General Douglas MacArthur—the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers—offered the final commentary on this grueling and ruthless war at the signing of the Surrender Instrument to the Allied Powers by Japan on board the Battleship USS Missouri:
To the Pacific basin has come the vista of a new emancipated world.
Today, freedom is on the offensive, democracy is on the march.
After three years of planning and preparation by Vice President Lu, who has shouldered the monumental task of initiating the Democratic Pacific Union, along with the concerted efforts by the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and various civic groups, Democratic Pacific Union has finally been established on August 14th, sixty year after the conclusion of the war. Henceforth, twenty-six nations from the Pan-Pacific region now join together to form a concentric circle of nations, closely united by our shared ideals.
In addition to expressing my congratulations once again on the momentous inauguration of the Democratic Pacific Union, I would also like to take this opportunity to reaffirm the three core values established in last year's Democratic Pacific Assembly—Democracy, Peace, and Prosperity. I hereby call upon all our friends in the Pacific Rim to focus on four core concepts—that of "peaceful coexistence," "democratic deepening," "consultation and cooperation," and "renaissance of humanism." Let us work hand-in-hand towards these goals to usher in a new era in the Pacific—a time of peace in which all people can freely pursue their dreams and aspirations.
Over the past century, nations in the Pacific Rim have faced a myriad of challenges that include "conflicts impacting human security," "lapses in democratic consolidation," "financial and economic crises," and "stagnation in sustainable development." Despite collective efforts by the international community striving to resolve these issues through international coalitions, the United Nations, or similar consultative and cooperative mechanisms, to date, a safe and stable, harmonious, fulfilling and peaceful life remains inaccessible to peoples in this region.
Under the influence of globalization, the definition of the so-called "human security" has already expanded beyond the scope of traditional military and strategic security. In particular, the emergence of international terrorism, concerns for nuclear weapon programs in the Korean peninsula, the shadow of a China emergence, the disputes over territorial sovereignty and fishing rights in the South China Sea, as well as other threats such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that ravaged the Asia-Pacific region in 2003, avian flu, foot and mouth disease, mad cow disease and so forth, have all brought to light the importance of "comprehensive security."
We remember the time when Taiwan was deeply afflicted by the SARS epidemic, we were kept from receiving timely assistance from the international health network due to China's unrelenting obstruction, which has also thwarted our efforts to obtain observer status in the World Health Organization over the past nine consecutive years. Not to mention Taiwan continues to be subjected to the constant threat of more than 700 Chinese missiles targeted at Taiwan and the direct provocation from the passage of China's so-called "anti-separation law," which empowers the People's Liberation Army to use non-peaceful means to resolve issues in the Taiwan Strait. The recently published 2005 Annual Report to Congress on the Military Power of the People's Republic of China by the US Department of Defense clearly points out that Beijing's military expansion is not only directed at Taiwan, but also at other countries, including the United States, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, and every nation in Asia. The international community and Pan-Pacific nations, therefore, should heed these elements of uncertainties that continue to threaten "human security."
The lessons from the war sixty years ago serve as a poignant reminder that peace is precious and that we must support consultation and dialogue as the right approach for resolving differences. More importantly, in order to effectively avert conflicts and war, we must employ cooperative mechanisms to enhance the transparency of military development and decision-making processes in the governments of countries such as North Korea and China, thereby preventing misjudgments or the exploitation of nationalism from becoming a pretext for setting off a nuclear war. Only by so doing can we ensure the attainment of a new order in the Pacific—that of permanent peace in this region.
With regards to "consolidating democracy," currently, 15 out of the 39 Asian countries still fail to meet the qualifications of a deepening democracy. In these countries, people do not choose their leaders through popular elections, and the arm forces exist to serve certain political parties or individuals rather than the nation and the people. Moreover, human rights records in these countries still remain poor and there is also a lack of sound rule of law and party politics. Even more alarmingly, four out of the five existing Communist states in the world are in Asia.
Therefore, "expanding democracy" and "spreading freedom" shall be the common goal that all countries in the Pacific basin strive for. Distinguished guests, I would like to take this opportunity to asseverate the importance of "Taiwan democracy" to the "Pacific Community of democracies."
The most enduring legacy of the "Taiwan democracy" lies in its bottom-up transformation, during which grass-root people's unwavering pursuit of democracy and freedom cumulated in the democratic achievements that began to emerge in the 1980's—the end of authoritarian regime, repealing of bans on new political parties and newspapers, general elections of the national legislature, direct election of the president, transfer of power between political parties, establishment of an arm forces that is not controlled by any individual of political party, the first-ever national referendum, promotion and protection of human rights, and commitment to ensure fairness in open elections and party competition.
Among Asia's emerging democracies, "Taiwan democracy" is particularly remarkable because it has burgeoned into existence and thrived under China’s massive military threat and diplomatic oppression. Even the remaining clout of the past authoritarian regime in Taiwan could not compel the democratic Taiwan to return to its old ways. People who still cling onto the past authoritarian regime's bygone glory must now embrace Taiwan's growing national identity and the mainstream will of the people that support reforms to deepen the country's democracy.
With regards to economic prosperity and sustainable development, the Asian financial crisis that erupted at the end of 1997 dealt a sobering reality to many people who have bought into Asia's miraculous economic growth and its bubble economy. As a result, the financial crisis prompted major economic integration organizations in the Pacific Rim, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and members of the North American Free Trade Zone to attach greater importance to the maintenance of Asia's financial order.
Moreover, under the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the global community now enters an era of free trade and economic competition. However, the G8 countries' domination of the world's economic trends has deepened the rift between rich and poor countries. At the same time, depletion of finite land resources will inevitably turn marine resources development into a focal point of contention in the foreseeable future. The Pacific region, a place where vital international transportation and trade routes pass through, has abundant fishery resources and minerals, and is rich in oil and natural gas reserves. As a result, the Pacific has become a much sought after region where nations compete fiercely to procure natural resources in this part of the world. To effectively manage this ongoing development, countries in the region will need an international apparatus that supports collective consultation and cooperation.
It is my firm belief, therefore, that the Democratic Pacific Union (DPU) is founded as a response to complicated developments in international affairs; it also provides a new impetus for the attainment of a democratic, peaceful and prosperous Pacific century. However, it is regrettable that the People's Republic of China in the Western Pacific remains a missing part in the collage of the "Democratic Pacific Union."
I am well aware that the international community has paid much attention to the emergence of China's economy. Yet I would like to remind all of you, my friends, that the so-called "rise of China" is based on many complex factors, such as China's huge market and economic appeal, its expanding military capabilities, the potential for socio-economic turmoil, the political center's control capability, and the issue of whether political democratization can be liberalized steadily. Thus, we must not interpret China's rise from a single-dimensional standpoint.
No one wishes to see the collapse of China; because the international community cannot bear the brunt of the impact should China collapse. Hence, to transform the developing China into a positive force in the "Pacific Community of democracies," the rise of China must be accompanied by "peaceful awakening" and "the beginning of democracy," the attainment of which constitutes a mission that members of the DPU must all readily shoulder together.
Distinguished guests, we all aspire to build an ideal country that is benevolent, harmonious, prosperous and progressive, but this dream will not become a reality overnight. We must recognize that without cultivating an environment conducive to our peaceful coexistence, without endeavoring to consolidate democracies, and without expanding our capacity for negotiation and cooperation, we may never see the realization of "a Pacific Renaissance." My friends, we now have the opportunities to achieve this grand vision, and we hold in our hands the key to success. I am convinced that our hard work and indomitable enterprise will bring us hope; and in hope, we shall prevail.
In closing, I would like to extend my best wishes for a productive and successful meeting. Thank you.