A recent spate of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) members quitting or planning to leave the party was interpreted by KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) yesterday as moves “to pursue individual political interests” following rifts linked to legislative candidate nominations.
Chu made the remarks during a speech at the start of the party’s weekly Central Standing Committee meeting.
A number of party members have quit or turned down nominations because they disagree with the way the party nominated candidates in some legislative constituencies, Chu said.
Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei Times
Chen said he had no problem with KMT members denouncing him or any specific policy, but added that they should not vilify the KMT, because it belongs to everyone, including Republic of China (ROC) founding father Sun Yat-sen (孫逸仙), former president Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國) and its 880,000 members, and has a century-old history.
“The KMT has stood firm on its sound fundamental policies and central ideals. You can jump to another boat in pursuit of individual political interests, but please do not vilify the KMT,” Chu said.
Since the KMT’s drubbing in the nine-in-one elections on Nov. 29 last year, several KMT lawmakers have chosen against seeking re-election in January’s legislative elections, while others quit to join the People First Party, rejected the party’s nomination, or considered dropping out of the party.
Opposition lawmakers have said that KMT lawmakers are jumping a sinking KMT ship en masse, which they said was prompted by the pro-unification cross-strait proposals made by the party’s presumptive presidential candidate, Deputy Legislative Speaker Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱).
Hung’s nomination is expected to be confirmed at the party’s national congress on July 19.
During his speech, Chu said he has spoken with Hung about her cross-strait proposals that have raised concerns, adding that she has promised him that her policy would be enacted in compliance with the party’s policy platform.
The KMT’s cross-strait policy is based on the so-called “1992 consensus,” under which both sides agree to “one China” with each side having its own interpretation of what “China” means, and is aimed at ensuring the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and to advocate cross-strait cooperation to create a win-win situation, Chu said.
“It is part of our party platform and thus our policy, which all members nominated by the party should abide by and jointly make feasible,” he said.
Opposition parties say the “1992 consensus” does not exist. A former KMT lawmaker admitted in 2006 to making up the term in 2000.
Hung has previously proposed the “one China, different interpretations” formula be replaced with “one China, same interpretation.”
Meanwhile, independent Legislator Chen Hsueh-sheng (陳雪生) from Lienchiang County, Lienchiang County Council Speaker Chang Yuan-chiang (張永江) and Lienchiang County Councilor Tsao Cheng-chun (曹丞君) were at the KMT meeting, during which Chu welcomed them into the party.
“We are grateful that they joined the party during its most difficult time,” Chu said, adding that next week the party would unveil nominations of several young turks to represent the KMT in running for legislative seats.
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