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Publish Date: 03/01/2000
Story Type: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
Byline: PAT GAO

Chen Shui-bian is a lawyer by profession.
He has served as a Taipei City councilor,
national legislator, and mayor of Taipei.

Chen Shui-bian: National institutions must be reformed. The lifting of martial law marked Taiwan's first stage of democratization, enhancing people's political rights and encouraging their participation in the political process. Now is the time to launch the second stage, which has as its principal aim the reform of all national institutions. I want to establish a presidential style of government with well-defined executive, legislative, and judicial powers that check and balance one another. Secondly, I want to merge the legislature with the National Assembly, thus giving Taiwan a single parliament and reducing the number of MPs.

The island's system of local government must be consolidated. The present uneven distribution of power between the central and local governments is a prime cause of administrative inefficiency. I envision a partnership between the central and local governments, and more autonomy for local governments.

Black-and-gold [gangster-and-corruption] politics must be eliminated. The fact that our political institutions are heavily influenced by bribery and gangsters is the main reason for this government's administrative incompetence and corruption, and the erosion of the political and economic infrastructure. If I'm elected president, I'll initiate a thorough investigation of electoral corruption and organized crime, bring in legislation to prevent gangsters from seeking public office, and set up a nonpartisan committee to conduct an investigation into the island's financial affairs.

What will you do to improve cross-strait relations?

If Taiwan wants to change the nature of the cross-strait relationship and deal with growing international pressure, it must be more proactive. I propose an institutionalized relationship with mainland China based on five principles, which I have already outlined in a policy speech.

First, Taiwan and the mainland should conduct talks on all issues, including political ones. Second, we must establish effective channels of communication with mainland China as soon as possible, in order to ease tensions and boost mutual trust. Next, confidence-building mechanisms must be introduced, to promote a reasonable degree of transparency with regard to the exchange of military data. Fourth, subject to the requirements of national security, Taiwan will consider, under certain conditions, establishing three cross-strait direct links [communications, trade, and transportation]. Lastly, Taiwan will agree an "interim basic law" with the mainland that enshrines the principles of respect for cross-strait parity, the peaceful resolution of conflicts in accordance with the UN charter, and open-mindedness.

I particularly want to stress that Taiwan and China should make efforts without making wars, be open to possibilities but not to battles, and compete without fighting.

What is your view of the ROC's national defense policy?

Taiwan's leader in the new century must conduct a careful and thorough examination of the armed forces. Taiwan should shoulder some of the responsibility for strengthening peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, in addition to maintaining adequate self-defense capabilities. That will bring it more into the mainstream.

As for diplomatic policies, Taiwan's new president must resolutely root out the conservative and shortsighted attitudes prevalent in its diplomacy. He should devise new diplomatic strategies and adopt enduring, pragmatic approaches toward global affairs, in order to expand the island's diplomatic space and win greater international recognition.

How does what you're saying distinguish you from other candidates?

Lien Chan [KMT] and James Soong [Ind.] are living in the past. They are products of the old KMT structure. They represent outdated, conservative modes of thinking, so they can't be expected to carry out any significant reforms. They are too weighed down by cumbersome old KMT baggage. In light of James Soong's recent financial scandals, which gave rise to a lot of mudslinging between him and the KMT, it's clear that I'm the only one who can undertake courageous reforms with real determination.

As regards character, Lien Chan is tepid, weak-minded and passive; James Soong, for all his highly sophisticated personality, shows vagueness and ambiguity on major issues. In comparison with them, my liveliness and new ways of thinking are outstanding. I highlight the bridge between the past and the future. According to the polls, I enjoy great popularity, because I epitomize the concepts of freshness, justice, resolution, and reform. That is where my superiority lies.

Why do you want to be president?

One of the most valuable results of Taiwan's democratization has been the emergence of party politics. At the moment, the last thing standing in the way of full-fledged democracy here is the absence of power rotation among the various parties. I think the presidential election provides the best chance for the DPP to emerge as the leading party. That's why I'm running.

If I win, the DPP will build an effective new government, one that seeks to draw in talent from different parties and ethnic groups. Apart from the reform of national institutions and the eradication of black-and-gold politics, my priorities will be to improve people's standards of living, protect the national interest and security, and expand Taiwan's international presence.

In the new century, Taiwan needs a peaceful and stable environment for its development, and that in turn requires an effective, righteous government, a creative, transparent and competitive knowledge-based economy, and an active, pluralistic, and tolerant civil society.