DATE=3/16/2000
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=TAIWAN YOUTH VOTE
NUMBER=5-45652
BYLINE=GRACE CUTLER
DATELINE=TAIPEI
CONTENT=
INTRO: In Taiwan, a generation that sees itself more
Taiwanese than Chinese is coming of age. Many of
these young people want independence from Beijing and
are supporting presidential candidate Chen Shui-bian
and his pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party.
VOA's Grace Cutler reports from Taipei.
TEXT:
//ACT: NAT SOUND OF RALLY: CHANTING GIVE ME FIVE//
With hands in the air, these Taiwan University
students smack palms and chant "give me five". This
gesture has a dual meaning: symbolizing solidarity --
but more importantly showing support for presidental
candidate Chen Shui-bian -- who is number five on the
ballot.
On Saturday, when voters here go to the polls to chose
their next president, election observers say many
young people will be ticking box number five.
For the rising class of young voters who see
themselves more Taiwanese than Chinese, Chen Shui-
bian is a popular choice.
The youngest of the three major candiates, Mr. Chen's
image is youthful and energetic. He is native-born
Taiwanese -- an important fact for voters who want
their next president to put the island's issues and
concerns first. The Democratic Progressive Party has
gone on record calling for independence from Beijing,
although Mr. Chen has distanced himself from that
position during the current election campaign.
China considers Taiwan a renegade province and wants
the island to return to the mainland. Bejing has
threatened to use force if Taiwan declares
independence or continues to drag its feet on
reunification talks. Premier Zhu Rongji Wednesday
repeated that warning saying Chinese people were
"willing to use all their blood" to prevent the
island's independence.
The Director of the D-P-P's Department of Culture and
Information Luo Wen Jia says his party wants peace --
not war.
//LUO ACT IN CHINESE: EST. FADE DOWN//
But he says Taiwanese cannot let Beijing decide who
their next president will be.
Despite Beijing's dire warnings, young people -- like
these Taiwan University students -- reject the idea
of becoming part of China.
//ACT STUDENTS//
Student 1: They are not peaceful and they are not
wise.
Student 2: I feel independence is good for us in
Taiwan.
student 3: I don't like it. I think that Taiwan is
Taiwan and China is China. Because we are
independent for so many years.
//END ACT//
As this generation gets older, Beijing could see
prospects of peaceful reunification grow dimmer. This
trend says political analyst Andrew Yang, from the
Chinese Council of Advanced Political Studies, has
gotten Chinese officials worried.
//YANG ACT //
They cannot stop this political train and they know
it. That's a concern. But how they are going to
come up with the sense to adopt another approach -
that is an urgent matter for the Beijing leadership
now.
//END ACT//
Chen Shui-bian's rivals, Nationalist Party hopeful
Lien Chen and Independent candidate James Soong both
understand the importance of the youth vote. All
three parties have mobilized campus campaigners and
set up Internet Web sites to get the message out.
Polls indicate the D-P-P has already secured nearly
half the voters in ages 20-29.
But polls also indicate older voters are more likely
to worry about Mr. Chen's ability to communicate with
China. And there are many voters who hope to keep the
status quo in Taiwan -- with its strong economic
growth and development. Political analysts say those
voters will most likely choose James Soong or Lien
Chen. (signed)
NEB/GC/FC
16-Mar-2000 06:07 AM EDT (16-Mar-2000 1107 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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