2001 Year-End Elections

Taiwan’s Party Politics

2004 Presidential Election

Referendum Issue

New Constitution Issue

 [Government and Policies] [Speeches and Statements] [Taiwan Information] [Research Organizations] [News] [Papers]

 ~2000 ;

Economic Isolation Threatens Taiwan
(Editorial, China Post, Dec. 5, 2004) Taiwan's economic future looks increasingly gloomy in the wake of two regional economic summits-the APEC and the ASEAN.

Negative Outlook Push Taiwan Shares Down
(AP, Dec. 1, 2004) Taiwan shares ended lower after Standard & Poor's Ratings Services cut its outlook on Taiwan to negative from stable on increased concerns over the fiscal deficit and rising tensions with political rival China.

Chen Vows to Press for UN Bid Under Title of "Taiwan"
(AFP, Nov. 15, 2004) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has pledged to push for the island's inclusion in the United Nations under the name of "Taiwan," in a move certain to anger rival China, it was reported.

Taiwan Establishes Diplomatic Ties with Vanuatu
(AP, Nov. 3, 2004) Taiwan announced it has established full diplomatic relations with Vanuatu, in a surprise move that came less than two months after the Pacific nation pledged its allegiance to rival China.

Taiwan Calls for Asia-Pacific Security Cooperation to Counter China's Might (Channel News Asia, Oct. 19, 2004) Taiwan's Deputy Minister of Defense has called for an Asia-Pacific security cooperation mechanism to protect the region's stability in view of what he called China's growing military might.

Row over China Questions in Taiwan Govt Exam
(AFP, Oct. 16, 2004) Taiwan must remove questions about China's history and geography from its entry test for civil servants to avoid clouding the loyalty of potential public officials, a senior examination organiser said.

'Taiwan' Will Be Used for Publicity
(Taipei Times, Aug. 20, 2004) International publicity posters and advertisements to be released later this month to solicit support for Taiwan's bid to join the UN will all bear the slogan "Today's Taiwan, ROC."

Taiwan and 15 Allies Launch 12th Bid for U.N. Membership
(China Post, Aug. 12, 2004) Taiwan launched its twelfth bid to enter the United Nations, with 15 allies presenting a case which for the first time refers to current high tensions with China, arguing they will be alleviated if the island joins the world body.

Taiwan Launches New Diplomatic Offensive
(China Post, July 12, 2004) Taiwan is launching a new diplomatic offensive to strengthen its relationships with Asian neighbors, following reports that one of President Chen Shui-bian's top aides is on a secret mission in the Philippines.

Taiwan President Hopes to Visit Washington
(Reuters, May 23, 2004) President Chen Shui-bian hopes to visit Washington during his second four-year term, a presidential office statement said.

Taiwan's Chen Vows to Stabilize China Ties
(Reuters, May 20, 2004) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said stabilizing ties with China would be a key goal in his new administration after he was sworn in for a second term.

Taiwan Greets Kiribati as New Diplomatic Ally
(Taiwan News, Nov. 8, 2003) Taiwan's collection of diplomatic allies increased to 27 after the South Pacific island nation of Kiribati officially recognized Taipei.

Taiwan V.P.'s Future Seems Uncertain
(AP, Sept. 15, 2003) Since the 2000 election, Vice President Lu has refused to play the vice president's traditional role of silent partner who stands by the potted plants behind the president's podium.

Taiwan to Try and Try Again at UN
(Taipei Times, Aug. 7, 2003) The nation is trying for an 11th time to join the world body, hoping states that lack diplomatic relations with Taiwan will support the country's bid.

Government Capitulates on Media Study
(TN, Apr. 17, 2003) The war between the government and the media took a dramatic turn yesterday as the Cabinet decided to halt a planned survey of the industry after critics painted the effort as an invasion on press freedoms..

GIO, Media Clash over Monitoring
(Taiwan News, Apr. 16, 2003) Tensions between the government and the media heightened as major Chinese-language newspapers ran full-page stories for the second consecutive day accusing the Government Information Office of seeking to intervene in their operations.

TSU Wants to Rename Country to Republic of Taiwan
(China Post, Nov. 18, 2002) Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) lawmakers have adopted a two-step approach to rename the country the Republic of Taiwan.

Presidential Aide Talks About Changing Flag, Title
(China Post, Nov. 12, 2002) Presidential Secretary General Chen Shih-meng infuriated opposition lawmakers by talking about the possibility of changing the nation's title and flag.

Government Sets Timetable to Ink FTAs with Five Nations
(Taiwan Economic News, Aug. 30, 2002) The Cabinet has selected five nations -- the United States, Japan, Singapore, Panama, and New Zealand -- for top priority to sign free trade agreements, with the target of inking the pacts before the end of 2005.

President, advisers hold secret meeting
(China Post, Aug. 25, 2002) President Chen Shui-bian began a secret two-day meeting with top government officials at Ta Shee Resort in Taoyuan County to discuss a bevy of economic and security issues.

DPP Seeks to Skirt Independence Issue
(China Post, July 10, 2002) With pressure accumulating for cross-strait talks to be resumed, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party is trying to get around a controversial declaration in its charter that calls for the establishment of a Taiwanese republic.

Chen Plan Seeks to Streamline Legislative Yuan
(Taiwan News, May 6, 2002) The president's Government Reform Committee yesterday announced that legislative reform should move towards establishing a "two-vote and single-member districts" system, and reducing the number of legislators to 150.

Taiwan Planning Cyber Defense Against Hacker Attacks
(AFP, April 23, 2002) Taiwan is planning a drill to boost the island's Internet defense against any hacker attacks, especially from China. The exercise will be held in June coupled with the annual "Wan An" drill.

President Urges Trade Alliance with U.S., Japan
(China Post, April 12, 2002) President Chen Shui-bian said that Taiwan, the United States and Japan should forge a regional free trade alliance to prevent too much investment being diverted to mainland China.

Chen Endorses 'Opening Taiwan Up'
(China Post, March 18, 2002) "We should never be afraid of, nor reject, opening Taiwan up. Taiwan has to reach out to the world. The more internationalized Taiwan becomes, the safer we will be," the president said

Taiwan 'No Pawn for China's Support in War on Terrorism'
(AP, Oct. 27, 2001) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said he hoped the US and China would be partners in the battle against terrorists. "We view such co-operation as necessary, and we have no objections," Mr Chen said. But he added that he believed Beijing hoped to link the Taiwan issue with the anti-terrorist campaign - a scheme he said the US opposed.

Military Administration, Command to be Streamlined
(China Times, Oct. 26, 2001) With the passage in the Legislative Yuan of the Headquarters of the General Staff Organic Provisions, sweeping change is in the works for the national defense structure.

DPP Policy Shift Leaves Independence Stance Unchanged
(China Post, Oct. 24, 2001) By elevating the legal authority of a 1999 resolution on Taiwan's future at a party congres, the DPP hopes to tone down its pro-independence colors without having to abandon a separation clause enshrined in the constitution of the ruling party 10 years ago.

Taiwan Cabinet Cuts Military Spending for 2002
(Reuters, Aug. 15, 2001) Taiwan's cabinet approved a 2.3 percent cut in government spending for 2002 compared with 2001 as the island's slowing economic growth forced deep cuts in key areas, including defence. The cabinet approved total spending of T$1.6 trillion (US$46 billion), down 2.3 percent from 2001.

KMT Proposes Confederation with China
(AFP, July 8, 2001) The Kuomintang (KMT) policy paper stipulates a transitional period as a confederation before 'reunification under the principles of democracy, freedom and equitable distribution of wealth' can take place. The paper, made public on Saturday, still has to be ratified by the party Congress at the end of July but if agreed upon, would be a major turn around in the KMT's China policy.

Taipei's Plan to Add "Taiwan" to Passports Stirs Protests
(AFP, June 19, 2001) Taiwan's foreign ministry Tuesday defended a plan to add the word "Taiwan" to the passports it issues from next year, a move which has sparked backlashes from a pro-unification group and Beijing.

Chen Reaffirms Commitment to 'Middle-of-the-Road' Policy
(CNA, Mar. 20, 2001) President Chen Shui-bian reaffirmed his commitment to adopting a new "middle-of-the-road" policy in dealing with relations across the Taiwan Strait. In view of deep domestic division over Taiwan's future status and the development of cross-strait relations, Chen told his guests that a new "middle-of-the-road" approach is what Taiwan must take.

Resolution of Ethnic Conflict Seen as Vital to Taiwan's Security By Jane Rickards (China Post, May 27, 2004) Analysts said reconciling the island's political and ethnic divide would not just help improve social relations in Taiwan but was vital for maintaining the island's international security.

TIME's Full Interview with Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian
(TIME, Feb. 16, 2004) A simple way to describe the status quo of Taiwan is this: First the Republic of China was on mainland China, then the Republic of China came to Taiwan, then the Republic of China was on Taiwan, and now the Republic of China is Taiwan.

New National Identity Emerges in Taiwan By Philip P. Pan
(Washington Post, Jan. 2, 2004) This rise in Taiwanese nationalism could frustrate China's hopes of bringing Taiwan back into the fold by binding it to the mainland's booming economy.

We're "Taiwanese," Not "Chinese" By Larry Teo
(Straits Times, Sep. 22, 2003) An all-out effort is being made to show Taiwan is culturally 'un-Chinese.' They are part of 'nation-building' Taiwanese style - or so its proponents call it. Critics say it is outright de-sinicisation, a bid to dilute Taiwan's Chineseness.

Analysts Warn FTA Will Have Limited Impact
(Taiwan News, Aug. 22, 2003) Bilateral pacts seen unable to fend off China's attempts at marginalization. The island's first free trade agreement with Panama is expected to take effect in January next year.

A New Vision for Taiwan's Diplomacy
(Editorial, Taiwan News, Aug. 6, 2003) The new strategy focuses on Taiwan's entry into regional groupings and international organizations, and suggests that Taiwan will no longer submit to financial blackmail from its diplomatic allies.

Is Taiwan Hollowing Out? By John Berthelsen
(Asia Times, July 26, 2003) For the past decade, concern has been growing that Taiwan's economy is hollowing out as its manufacturing industries increasingly move the 100 kilometers across the Strait of Formosa to mainland China.

Foreign Investment in Taiwan Continues to Fall
(CNA, Apr. 4, 2003) The continued decline of foreign capital in Taiwan is related to the negative growth of world investment, but it also has to do with Taiwan's high investment in mainland China.

No War Does Not Equal World Peace By Joseph Wu
(Taipei Times, Mar. 20, 2003) When Taiwan needed help the most, the US acted without hesitation. Therefore, Taiwan must absolutely not be ungrateful when the US needs support.

Care Needed with 'Go South' Policy By Trung Latieule
(Taipei Times, Feb. 11, 2003) The Chen administration is right to revive the "go south" policy. But it is wrong in the means it is using. A too aggressive approach could jeopardize a policy that is still in its infancy..

Taiwan: Dirty Politics as Usual By Laurence Eyton
(Asia Times, Jan. 9, 2003) The scandal that has erupted around the Kaohsiung Speaker vote is almost wearily familiar as part of Taiwan's corrupt local politics as usual.

Massive Protest Against Chen's Leadership
(Straits Times, Nov. 24, 2002) More than 120,000 people demonstrated in Taipei against the government in what analysts said was the largest-ever signal of no-confidence in President Chen Shui-bian's ability to govern the island and turn the economy around.

Becoming A `Normal Country' By Lee Teng-Hui
(Taipei Times, Oct. 28, 2002) To discover a Taiwan-based perspective, the country needs to focus on educating children about the history of the land, preserving economic independence and adopting a more suitable Constitution

Taiwan's Role in Promoting Democracy By Ronald Meinardus
(Japan Times, Sep. 1, 2002) Arguably, the most important advantage of the islanders in this confrontation is their domestic political order. In spite of constant partisan bickering, Taiwanese democracy may well be termed a source of political stability.

Domestic Determinants of Taiwan’s Mainland Policy By Su Chi
(May 2002) Taiwan’s Mainland policy has come a long way since 1987.  This paper will begin with a brief sketch of Taiwan’s Mainland policy in its different stages, followed by a discussion of the context in which the policy evolved.  The influence of the Ideas, Institutions, and Players moving the policy will then be explored. 

Chen on Taiwan: It's the Democratic Republic of China
(CNN.com, May 23, 2002) As part of a special television edition of Inside Asia, CNN's Mike Chinoy spoke to Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian in the presidential palace in Taipei. "Taiwan is an independent sovereign state and it is called the Republic of China, and my country is not a part of the People's Republic of China. "

Analysts Wary of Chen's Vow Not to Become Authoritarian
(Taiwan News, April 22, 2002) Local political analysts are skeptical about President Chen Shui-bian's promise not to become authoritarian despite his open assurance after the ruling Democratic Progressive Party agreed to allow him to serve concurrently as party leader.

Creeping Diplomacy: Chien Outlines Accomplishments, Future of MOFA By Haley Chang
(Taiwan News, March 25, 2002) Taiwan's Foreign Minister Eugene Chien spoke about his philosophy with regard to Taiwan's diplomatic efforts under critical and unique conditions, and said that the "creeping diplomacy" which results from a steady and step-by-step approach, will be more enduring and solid.

No Saints To Be Found in NSB's Scandals By Wu Tung-yeh
(Taipei Times, March 25, 2002) The lesson highlighted by the Next incident must be that the legislature needs to set up a mechanism for reviewing the budgets of national security agencies as soon as possible. At the same time, it should create clear legislation that blocks the media from possible violations of national security matters.

Taiwan Needs to Take a More Rational Approach By Lee Yuan-tseh
(Taipei Times, March 9, 2002) The general public no longer tolerates political infighting. They often willfully or arbitrarily turn complex issues into simple two-sided ones, and simplify or tag a label to the opinions of others, thus deepening dissent and prolonging the stand-off.

DPP Finally Adjusts to New Role
(Editorial, Taipei Times, Oct. 22, 2001) DPP's party congress decided to elevate a 1999 resolution on Taiwan's future to the same level as the "Taiwan independence clause" in the party charter.

Stalemate By Allen T. Chenng
(Asiaweek, Aug. 10, 2001) Taiwan's economy has hit a wall. President Chen Shui-bian is desperate to find a way out of the quagmire, but the only escape route may be the one that goes via the mainland.

Taiwan Can No Longer Stay Passive By Lin Wen-cheng
(Taipei Times, June 29, 2001) A reorganization is underway in politics in Taiwan. Three opposition parties -- the KMT, PFP and the New Party -- have recent held intensive discussions on how to cooperate.

Taiwan Still Struggles with Identity By Crystal Hsu
(Taipei Times, June 26, 2001) The spat over who genuinely loves Taiwan underscores the chronic confusion regarding self-identity. History, unfortunately, does little to clear up the issue.

It's Time for the Parties to Grow Up
(Editorial, Taipei Times, Mar. 19, 2001) One year ago yesterday was the fateful night that changed Taiwan's political dynamics forever -- the night Chen Shui-bian won the presidential election, setting in motion the first democratic transfer of power in Chinese history.

Chen Stresses Taiwan's Strategic Importance
(United Daily News, Mar. 12, 2001) President Chen Shui-bian last Friday expressed concern over the "marginalization" of Taiwan's strategic importance in the region, despite the island's optimal position between Northeast and Southeast Asia.