New Constitution Issue

 ‘One China’ and ‘Taiwan Independence’

 [ News ] [ Papers ]

Ma Plans Constitutional Amendment after 2010
(China Post, July 16, 2007) Presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) pledged to revise the nation's Constitution to give top priority to the people's well-being rather than politicians' own interests. He also stressed the amendment will be carried out cautiously and will not take place before 2010.

Draft Constitution Calls for Using Cabinet System
(Taiwan News, Apr. 3, 2007) A civic group made public its draft constitution calling for Taiwan to adopt cabinet system and a nominal president that has no substantive political power.

Second Half of Draft Constitution Unveiled
(Taipei Times, Mar. 26, 2007) Aside from making it easier to amend the Constitution, the 'second republic' constitution addresses issues from the powers of the president to the judicial system.

KMT Opposes '2nd Republic' Constitution
(CNA, Mar. 21, 2007) The main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) released a written statement saying that it is resolutely opposed to the draft "second republic" constitution proposed by National Taiwan University Professor Chen Ming-tong two days ago.

Group Pushes New Constitution
(Taipei Times, Mar 19, 2007) Until China and Taiwan agree on their political relationship through a democratic process, the present Constitution should cease to apply and a "second republic" constitution should be enacted, a local think tank said. The pro-independence Taiwan Thinktank made public a draft of the "second republic" constitution.

Chen Allays Constitution Fears
(Taipei Times, Mar. 18, 2007) President Chen Shui-bian said that his desire to push for a new constitution was not an attempt to move Taiwan toward de jure independence as China has alleged, but to cement the nation's democracy.

Taiwan's Chen Aims to Redraft Constitution Before End of Term
(Bloomberg, Mar. 17, 2007) Taiwan president Chen Shui-bian is determined to complete a draft of a new constitution by the end of his term. ''It's his hope to have the draft of a new constitution completed by the end of his term.''

Call for Change May Conflict with US: Negroponte
(Taipei Times, Feb. 1, 2007) John Negroponte, US President George W. Bush's nominee for deputy secretary of state, on Tuesday cautioned that President Chen Shui-bian's call for constitutional change could be "at cross purposes" with US policy toward Taiwan.

President Says Time, Conditions Ripe for a New Constitution
(Taiwan News, Jan. 27, 2007) President Chen Shui-bian declared that the "time and conditions were ripe" for the promotion of a new Constitution to match the needs of Taiwan's new democratic realities.

Constitutional Reform Needed, Despite China, Su Proclaims
(CNA, Jan. 7, 2007) Taiwan needs sweeping constitutional reform even though pursuing it may ruffle China's feathers and touch a raw nerve in America, Premier Su Tseng-chang said.

US Cautions Taiwan's Leader Again on Constitutional Changes
(AFP, Nov. 3, 2006) The United States warned Taiwan's independence-minded president not to press ahead with plans for constitutional reform that would be sure to inflame tensions with rival China.

Chen Supports 'Freezing' Constitution
(Taipei Times, Nov. 3, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian said Taiwan could "freeze" its current Constitution and adopt a new one. Under the concept of "Second Republic," Chen said that the current Constitution would be "frozen" and a new constitution for Taiwan would be written.

New Taiwan Constitution Not a Dream, Says Chen
(CNA, Oct. 31, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian told a teleconference that constitutional re-engineering will become "a vogue" in Taiwan next year and that "it's absolutely not a dream to help deliver a new Constitution for Taiwan."

US Wants Chen to Keep Promises
(Taipei Times, Oct. 19, 2006) The US State Department urged President Chen Shui-bian to live up to the promises he made in his two inaugural addresses. State Department spokesman Tom Casey made the remarks when responding to questions regarding Chen's recent proposal that the Constitution be frozen to enact a "Second Republic constitution" that fits the status quo in Taiwan.

President Urges Consideration of `Second Republic'
(Taipei Times, Oct. 16, 2006) Touching on issues of constitutional reform, President Chen Shui-bian said that the idea of a "Second Republic" is worth considering.

DPP Delays Release of Charter Draft
(Straits Times, Oct. 5, 2006) Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) fails to reach consensus on inclusion of sovereignty issues and put the brakes on a plan to include sensitive sovereignty issues in its draft of the island's new Constitution.

DPP Promises Not to Break 'Four Noes'
(Taipei Times, Oct. 4, 2006) The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) proposals for constitutional amendments will not violate the "four noes" promise President Chen Shui-bian made in 2000, the Presidential Office said.

Chen Vows to Deliver on Constitution
(Taipei Times, Sep 29, 2006) Calling Taiwan and China two countries, President Chen Shui-bian yesterday vowed to deliver a new Constitution, join the UN with the name "Taiwan" and hold a referendum on the recovery of assets stolen by the Kuomintang (KMT).

US Reminds Taiwanese Leader Not to Break Commitments
(AFP, Sep. 26, 2006) The United States reminded Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian to keep his commitment not to raise sovereignty issues that could anger China, as the leader pushed for a new constitution for the island.

Chen Proposes Change of Constitution
(Taipei Times, Sep 25, 2006) Beset by problems the president sought yesterday to drag up an old theme in an effort to gain support, while opposition parties scorned his suggestions.

DPP May Take Risky Road on Charter
(Straits Times, Sep. 22, 2006) Taiwan's ruling party is expected to release early next month its draft for the island's new Constitution, which could touch on sensitive issues related to the island's sovereignty.

Taiwan Opposition Raps Scandal-Tainted Chen over Fresh Constitution Vow (AFP, Aug. 14, 2004) Taiwan's opposition lambasted the scandal-embroiled President Chen Shui-bian, saying his fresh promise to push for a new constitution was part of efforts to distract public attention.

Chen Reaffirms Dream of Crafting New Constitution
(CNA, Aug. 13, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian reaffirmed his dream of crafting a new constitution for the country, saying that it is his "historic mission." He said his "biggest dream is to bring about a timely, relevant and viable Constitution that Taiwan needs."

Constitutional Reform Still on the Agenda, Official Says
(Taipei Times, June 1, 2006) Constitutional reform will forge ahead despite the campaign launched by the opposition to recall President Chen Shui-bian. The Chen administration has been dogged by a string of scandals in recent months.

U.S. Visitor Issues Blunt Warning to Chen Gov't
(China Post, May 26, 2006) Washington policy makers are worried that Taiwan will push for independence through constitutional reform in a "nightmare scenario, said Alan Romberg.

Chen Comes Out in Support of Anthem
(Taipei Times, May 14, 2006) Although the DPP has long campaigned to change the national anthem, the president said yesterday that it was important to sing it 'out loud.'

Constitutional Change No Cure-All: Ma
(China Post, May, 1, 2006) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) tends to focus on more pressing issues affecting people's daily life rather than giving priority to amending the Constitution at least in the foreseeable future.

Taiwan's President Set to Open Debate on New Constitution
(Washington Post, Mar. 14, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian declared that he will soon open debate on a new constitution for Taiwan, including the explosive issues of sovereignty, territory and formal independence for the self-ruled island.

Chen Resolves to Write New Constitution
(Yomiuri Shimbun, Mar. 4, 20060 Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian stressed his determination to draft a new constitution that would better suit Taiwan's present situation. "I'll drive forward the formulation of a new constitution based on legal procedures," Chen said.

Taiwan Party to Debate Constitution
(Financial Times, Feb. 18 2006) President Chen Shui-bian's ruling party will propose changes to Taiwan's official name, flag, national anthem and the definition of its national territory in a draft constitution designed to strengthen its pro-independence credentials.

DPP Hopefuls Call for New Constitution
(China Post, Jan. 8, 2006) All three contenders for the ruling party chairmanship agree Taiwan needs a new Constitution, and they are willing to take the opposition's challenge to let a referendum settle the row over cross-strait direct flights.

Cabinet OKs Referendum Law Overhaul
(Taiwan News, June 30, 2005) The Cabinet approved a package of revisions to the Referendum Law that would lower the thresholds for citizen initiatives and the passage of referendums that do not impinge on the Constitution or the definition of the national territory.

President Laments Power of 'Greater China Ideology'
(Taiwan News, June 26, 20050 Departing from his recent rhetoric on the sovereignty issue, President Chen Shui-bian yesterday blamed what he called the "illusionary Greater China" ideology for hampering Taiwan from achieving normal statehood, and vowed to fix the situation by pushing for a new Constitution.

DPP Establishes Group to Draft Policies on Second-Phase Constitutional Reforms (TN, June 10, 2005) The Democratic Progressive Party has established a 15-person member commission to begin mapping out the governing party's proposals for the direction and content of the "second-phase" of constitutional re-engineering.

Taiwan Assembly Passes Changes
(BBC, June 7, 2005) Taiwan's National Assembly has approved important constitutional changes which supporters say will strengthen the island's democracy.

DPP Seeks to Overturn NA Bill Passed Last Week
(China Post, May 23, 2005) The ruling DPP decided to overturn legislation adopted requiring approval from at least three fourths of the National Assembly members to pass any constitutional amendment.

Chen's DPP wins Taiwan vote for National Assembly
(AFP, May 15, 2005) Taiwan's independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won an election for a 300-member assembly to decide on a package of constitutional reforms set to test the limits of the island's China policy.

Referendum Law Review Postponed
(Taiwan News, Dec. 2, 2004) The Cabinet decided not to review draft amendments to the Referendum Law at its weekly meeting, but denied the move was made under pressure from the United States.

Chen Calls for Trust in Relations with U.S.
(China Post, Dec. 2, 2004) President Chen said Taipei and Washington should trust each other, a day after the United States raised concern over his remarks that appeared to contradict his previous pledge.

Chen Shui-bian Says He Will Stick to His `Four Noes' Promise (Taipei Times, Dec. 1, 2004) President Chen Shui-bian reaffirmed that he will uphold the pledges he made in his inaugural speech this year and Oct. 10 National Day address.

US Cautions Taiwan Leader over Moves to Frame New Constitution (AFP, Nov. 30, 2004) The United States cautioned Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian against any attempt to frame a new constitution for the island, reminding him of a promise he made to maintain status quo in relations with China.

DPP Poll Win Will Terminate 'Chinese Constitution:' Chen
(China Post, Nov. 28, 2004) President Chen Shui-bian yesterday reiterated a plan to make a new Constitution for the country to end what he called opposition-instigated political chaos.

China Threatens Taiwan Over Constitution
(AP, July 30, 2004) A senior Chinese official warned that Beijing won't rule out war with Taiwan if the island's president pursues his plan to adopt a new constitution by 2008.

Taiwan Promises to Refrain from Provoking China
(Straits Times, July 27, 2004) Top policymaker insists ruling DPP will not push for referendum on Constitution even if it wins majority in elections.

Lee Launches Push for New Constitution
(China Post, July 2, 2004) Former President Lee Teng-hui said Taiwan should drop the title of Republic of China at the launch of a social movement pushing for a new Constitution.

Constitution Concerns US: Official
(Taipei Times, July 1, 2004) The new deputy representative to the US says that revising the Constitution is something that worries Uncle Sam, but relations are going better now.

Constitution Reform to Get Push
(Taipei Times, June 21, 2004) A number of groups held a press conference to announce that they'll be pushing hard for a revision to the charter document.

Chen Says Defend 'New Constitution'
(China Post, June 17, 2004) In an address on the 80th founding anniversary of the military academy, President Chen said he would deliver a "new Constitution" Taiwan's armed forces have to defend.

AIT Official Says U.S. Support of New Constitution Has Its Limits (Taiwan News, Apr. 27, 2004) The deputy director of the American Institute in Taiwan warned against making any attempt to declare independence in a new constitution.

Taiwan Denies Independence Talk
(BBC, Apr. 23, 2004) Taiwan has denied that plans to amend its constitution are a step towards independence from China.

'New Constitution' Means Timetable for Taiwan Independence: Official (Xinhua News, Apr. 14, 2004) A Taiwan affairs official of China's State Council warned that the Taiwan leader's plan to hatch up a "new constitution" will result in tensions and danger in the Taiwan Straits.

A Pragmatic Constitutional Solution By Chen Ming-tong
(Taipei Times, Apr. 5, 2007) The reason for calling the constitution "The Second Republic of the ROC" is to show the continuity of the ROC, by calling it the "first republic" and maintaining the nation's unchanging identity.

Taiwan's Chen Faces Criticism for Moves on New Constitution
(AFP, Sep. 26, 2006) Shih Ming-teh, a former ally of Chen now leading a campaign to oust him, said the president had done everything he could to offset mounting protests, adding Monday: "What I'm worried about is that when cornered, he may announce independence for Taiwan."

US Worried About Constitutional Reform
(Taipei Times, May 19, 2006) Presidential Office Secretary-General Mark Chen said that issues relating to Taiwan's constitutional reforms are what concern the US the most. He made the remarks during a gathering with Taiwanese journalists in Washington.

Post Interview With Taiwan's Leader
(Washington Post, Mar. 13, 2006) “To better facilitate governance as well as to enhance our national competitiveness, we need to review those parts of our Constitution that are not timely, relevant, or viable, and it is only natural for a democratic country to revise its constitution.”

Taiwan's Chen Testing China's Patience By Benjamin Kang Lim
(Reuters, Mar. 13, 2006) Beijing's patience with Taiwan's independence-leaning president could snap if the island adopts a new constitution, a senior Chinese adviser said.

Chen's Remaining Three Objectives By Nat Bellocchi
(Taipei Times, June 21, 2005) He has three domestic objectives during his rest tenure. If one includes external affairs, which would include cross-strait matters, the task before him is almost impossible.

Taiwan Constitution Vote May Ease China Tensions, Analysts Say (Bloomberg, June 9, 2005) Taiwan's constitutional changes passed this week could help ease tensions with China as they made it more difficult for the island to declare independence.

Taiwan Raises Legal Standards for Move toward Independence By Edward Cody (Washington Post, June 8, 2005) Taiwan revised its constitution Tuesday to shrink the size of parliament by half, streamline election rules and set difficult standards for any constitutional amendment that would move the island toward independence.

Analysts See New Uncertainty after Taiwan's Constitutional Changes (AFP, June 7, 2005) Taiwan's approval of a controversial constitutional reform package will add uncertainty but will not lead to a dramatic downturn in recently-improving relations with China, analysts say.

Few in Taiwan Bother to Vote on Constitutional Assembly By Keith Bradsher (New York Times, May 15, 2005) Elections in Taiwan for delegates to a constitutional assembly drew the lowest turnout of any islandwide elections in recent Taiwanese history. Most voters ignored the balloting although it could have a bearing on relations with China.

Taiwan Dances on Tightrope By I-wei J. Chang
(Washington Times, July 30, 2004) "The constitution is not the issue. The reason we are now seeing increased hostility is not because of ... the constitution or the revised constitution. The problem, from Beijing's perspective, is His Eminence Chen Shui-bian," Alan Wachman said.

An Updated Constitution Nothing To Be Afraid Of By Hsiao Bi-khim
(Taipei Times, May 15, 2004) Plans to reform Taiwan's constitution should not be considered an attempt to change Taiwan's status quo as an independent, sovereign country.

Taiwan Casts U.S. as China Intermediary By Joseph Kahn
(New York Times, Apr. 28, 2004 ) President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan is pressing the Bush administration to approve his plans to change the island's Constitution, casting the United States as an intermediary in the most delicate issue dividing China and Taiwan.

U.S. Cautions Taiwan on Independence By Glenn Kessler
(Washington Post, Apr. 22, 2004) The Bush administration, in its first broad response to vows by Taiwan's recently reelected president to craft a constitution, warned Taiwan that unilateral moves toward independence could prompt a Chinese military response.