Taiwan does not have to declare independence because it is already independent, President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen made the remarks when asked if he would eventually declare independence.
"The reality is Taiwan has been a sovereign, independent country for more than half a century, and that continues to be the `status quo,'" Chen said in the recent interview, adding that Taiwan's sovereignty does not fall under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China and that there is "one country on each side of the Taiwan Strait."
Chen was also asked by the BBC to give his views on a Beijing-based political commentator's claim that the Taiwanese government would choose one of the following three dates to declare independence: the date of next year's presidential election or presidential inauguration, or the opening of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
"We do not have to declare Taiwan's independence because Taiwan is already independent. Therefore, it will not happen on any of those three dates," Chen said.
On concerns that the nation's efforts to become a "normal country" could provoke a military attack from China, Chen said that the nation "will not keep silent just because China does not like what it hears."
Asked if he was confident that the US would defend Taiwan in the event of an attack, Chen said he believed the US would fulfill its obligations as stipulated in the Taiwan Relations Act and come to Taiwan's aid.
However, Chen said that Taiwan could not rely entirely on others and must increase its defense capabilities, but not with the intention of engaging in an arms race.
"We do not seek to engage in war. But we must be prepared for war if we wish to prevent it," he said.
Chen said that although China views almost every step taken by Taiwan as a move toward de jure independence, "the country must carry on with its course."
Chen said it was important for Taiwan to continue building on its democratic achievements, "because democracy is our most effective `theater missile defense' against China" and vital to establishing Taiwan as a "normal country that enjoys the same rights as other countries."
In this sense, he said, Taiwan "has the full right" to participate in the international community and world organizations.
"We want to make sure that one day, the voice of our people will be heard in all corners of the world, if not today, then maybe tomorrow," Chen said. "However long it takes, we will continue striving until we become a normal country that is accepted by international society."
Also see story:
Chen gets warm welcome in Honduras
BAIL APPEALS: The former vice premier was ordered to be held incommunicado despite twice being granted bail and paying a total of NT$12 million in bond The Taoyuan District Court yesterday ordered the detention of former vice premier Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦), who is being investigated for alleged corruption while serving as Taoyuan mayor from December 2014 to December 2022, and that he be held incommunicado. The court made the ruling during a bail hearing after prosecutors appealed its bail ruling twice. Cheng on Saturday was released after posting bail of NT$5 million (US$153,818). However, after prosecutors lodged an appeal, the High Court on Monday revoked the original ruling and ordered the Taoyuan District Court to hold another bail hearing. On Tuesday, the district court granted bail to Cheng a second
The Thai government on Friday announced that Taiwanese would be allowed to stay in the country for up to 60 days per entry, under the Southeast Asian country’s visa-free program starting from today. Taiwan is among 93 countries included in the Thai visa-waiver program, which has been expanded from 57 countries, with the visa-exempt entry extended from 30 to 60 days. After taking office last year, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has vowed to grant more visa waivers to foreign travelers as part of efforts to stimulate tourism. The expanded visa-waiver program was on Friday signed by Thai Minister of the Interior Anutin
PEACE AND SECURITY: China’s military ambitions present ‘the greatest strategic challenge to Japan and the world, Japan’s annual defense white paper said yesterday Japan yesterday warned that China risked escalating tensions with Taiwan with an increase in military exercises that appeared aimed in part at readying Beijing’s forces for a possible invasion. Japan’s annual assessment of security threats, including those posed by China, North Korea and Russia, comes as Taiwan closely monitors Chinese People’s Liberation Army air and sea exercises, including one with the Shandong aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean. The drills are the latest in a series including maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait last year that a senior US general said would be key to any invasion. “Because of that increase in military activity,
HAN KUANG: The exercises, which are to run from July 22 to 26, will feature unscripted war games and a decentralized command and control structure, military officers said The armed forces would for the first time test new rules of engagement (ROE) at this month’s annual Han Kuang exercises, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said yesterday. The exercises, which are to run from July 22 to 26, will feature unscripted war games, and a decentralized command and control structure, military officers told a news conference in Taipei. ROE cards would be issued to select combat troops to test their ability to function without tight control, they said. The most recent edition of the rules was published last year, they said. One of the cards’ two templates identifies enemy targets that soldiers