A document known as the New Culture Discourse (新文化論述), written by DPP Legislator Lee Wen-chung (李文忠) on the topic of solving ethnic conflicts, was the subject of much controversy this week.
While the discourse was aimed at smoothing out tensions among ethnic groups, mainly those between Mainlanders and Hoklo people, more commonly known as Taiwanese, the media this week focused on a part of the essay entitled Surpassing Conflicts, Deep-rooting Reform, which says that "there will be no suitable environment in the next two or three decades for the Republic of China (ROC) to change its national name."
The essay also says that it is possible to find a way out of the controversy involving the ROC, as a symbol, because a huge proportion of Mainlanders and Hoklo people identify with the ROC -- and the name also placates China.
By seeming to disengage from the national discourse on sovereignty, the essay angered pro-independence figures in the pan-green camp while also failing to please those who wish to maintain the status quo or unify with China.
Too controversial
Lee was the chief architect of the essay. Cabinet Spokesman-designate Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁), Council for Hakka Affairs Chairman-designate Luo Wen-jia (羅文嘉) and DPP Caucus Director-general Tsai Huang-liang (蔡煌瑯) were originally said to have been involved in the drafting of the essay.
But after the essay was leaked to the media, Chen, Luo and Tsai said that Lee had drafted the essay alone, and that the document was leaked before the group could meet to discuss it.
They said that later, when the group in fact met, they agreed that the part of Lee's essay on the ROC was too controversial and decided not to approve the text.
Earlier, Luo had said that the essay aimed mainly to acknowledge and respect all cultures in Taiwan, including Chinese culture.
Chen expressed similar views.
"We are trying to promote a pluralistic spirit and protect different voices in Taiwan, and promote a comprehensive dialogue among all ethnic groups," Chen said.
Chen specifically said that the members of the group would proceed with legislation to ensure that no one is discriminated against on the basis of political preference, ethnicity, culture, gender or religion.
While Luo and Chen mainly discussed the big-picture reasons behind drafting the essay, Tsai was straightforward in saying that the motivation for it was to strengthen the DPP's support base.
"We developed the essay to help the DPP expand its base of supporters, to ensure that the DPP stays in power," Tsai said.
Tsai also said that the essay was based on the DPP's 1999 Resolution on Taiwan's Future, (
"The pro-independence people want the DPP to pursue independence right away, but at the moment the environment is not suitable. But we can still make attempts in a roundabout way," Tsai said.
But Tsai also said that while the public thought the group's effort to propose a comprehensive approach to ethnic issues was aimed at providing President Chen Shui-bian (
"This aims to appeal to the Hoklo people who do not support the DPP," said Hsu Yung-ming (
Hsu said that research and polls indicate that in this year's presidential election, some people cast ballots in the referendum but did not vote for Chen Shui-bian.
Hsu said that voters in this category were probably Hoklo people who do not entirely identify with and trust Chen -- but that for the DPP, they are voters who might be won over.
"Some Hoklo people still believe that only the KMT is capable of being fair toward Mainlanders, Hoklo people and Hakkas. They are worried that the DPP will be inclined to treat Hoklo people well and cause Mainlanders to complain," Hsu said.
Historical issues
But Hsu said that the essay's attempt to embrace Mainlanders might not work because of still-unresolved historical issues such as 228 Incident. Hsu said that the tension between Hoklo people and Mainlanders would continue to exist.
DPP legislator Lin Cho-shui (
"We should allow time to take care of the issue of national identification. As time goes by, identification with China will fade, but right now they are trying to use political force to drive the issue. Trying to solve what cannot be solved will only cause more conflicts," Lin said.
Lin used the issue of the nation's official language as an example, saying that at present the public is content with Mandarin as the official language -- but that if the legislature began to discuss the issue, there would be endless arguments about it.
"Paying too much attention to the ethnic issue just worsens the situation," Lin said.
"We should allow time to settle our political feuds, and let things develop naturally," Lin said.
"Paying attention to symbols such as the ROC is just a way to solve a current problem, to please the old generation of Mainlanders.
"But we should really think about future generations of Mainlanders," Lin said.
CHANGING LANDSCAPE: Many of the part-time programs for educators were no longer needed, as many teachers obtain a graduate degree before joining the workforce, experts said Taiwanese universities this year canceled 86 programs, Ministry of Education data showed, with educators attributing the closures to the nation’s low birthrate as well as shifting trends. Fifty-three of the shuttered programs were part-time postgraduate degree programs, about 62 percent of the total, the most in the past five years, the data showed. National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) discontinued the most part-time master’s programs, at 16: chemistry, life science, earth science, physics, fine arts, music, special education, health promotion and health education, educational psychology and counseling, education, design, Chinese as a second language, library and information sciences, mechatronics engineering, history, physical education
The High Prosecutors’ Office yesterday withdrew an appeal against the acquittal of a former bank manager 22 years after his death, marking Taiwan’s first instance of prosecutors rendering posthumous justice to a wrongfully convicted defendant. Chu Ching-en (諸慶恩) — formerly a manager at the Taipei branch of BNP Paribas — was in 1999 accused by Weng Mao-chung (翁茂鍾), then-president of Chia Her Industrial Co, of forging a request for a fixed deposit of US$10 million by I-Hwa Industrial Co, a subsidiary of Chia Her, which was used as collateral. Chu was ruled not guilty in the first trial, but was found guilty
Taiwan-based publisher Li Yanhe (李延賀) has been sentenced to three years in prison, fined 50,000 yuan (US$6,890) in personal assets and deprived political rights for one year for “inciting secession” in China, China's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Chen Binhua (陳斌華) said today. The Shanghai First Intermediate People’s Court announced the verdict on Feb. 17, Chen said. The trial was conducted lawfully, and in an open and fair manner, he said, adding that the verdict has since come into legal effect. The defendant reportedly admitted guilt and would appeal within the statutory appeal period, he said, adding that the defendant and his family have
DEADLOCK: As the commission is unable to forum a quorum to review license renewal applications, the channel operators are not at fault and can air past their license date The National Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday said that the Public Television Service (PTS) and 36 other television and radio broadcasters could continue airing, despite the commission’s inability to meet a quorum to review their license renewal applications. The licenses of PTS and the other channels are set to expire between this month and June. The National Communications Commission Organization Act (國家通訊傳播委員會組織法) stipulates that the commission must meet the mandated quorum of four to hold a valid meeting. The seven-member commission currently has only three commissioners. “We have informed the channel operators of the progress we have made in reviewing their license renewal applications, and
RSS