Taiwan S 2Nd Democratic Presidential Election Essay — страница 3

more than $8 million, but the party has refused to accept the money. After the charges were leveled in late 1999, Soong s popularity dipped significantly. Even so, the latest polls show he still enjoys a slight lead over Chen. Lien Chan s Proposal and Position: (Fig.4) Lien Chan, Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) is the handpicked successor of President Lee Teng-hui and is the hope of the ruling Kuomintang, or the Nationalist Party, to cling to its 50- year hold- on power. Lien, who was premier under Lee from 1993 to 1997, has also served as governor of Taiwan Province, foreign affairs minister and minister of transportation and communication. Lien has pledged to improve contacts with China and says he favors opening direst trade and postal and air links with the main land. He also

promises to push for regular summits between the two sides. Lien rejects, however, the Beijing government s one country, two systems model for reunification under which Hong Kong and Macau reverted to Chinese rule in 19997 and 1999. He endorses President Lee s policy of demanding an equal state-to-state relationship with China, a view that has enraged the Beijing government. Lien is gruff, distant, and stiff, and trails Soong and Chen in the opinion polls. Although he could be expected to continue Lee s policies, he has not repeated Lee s state-to-state remark and has suggested a peace zone in the Taiwan Straight. He has also recommended Taiwan expand its defense capabilities by developing long-range missiles. Lien says the Beijing has to face the reality and work together to

work out solutions. Beijing has to face the reality and work together to work out solutions. Taiwan is simply calling attention to the reality of the two sides bring governed over the past 50 years. Chen Shui-bian s Proposal and Position: (Fig.5) Chen Shui-bian, Democratic Progressive Party is known for his advocacy of independence. Chen recently softened his nationalist campaign talk and now promotes building closer track ties with main land China. Chen would neither declare independence nor change the official name of Taiwan-unless it was invaded. He promises he will not bring Taiwan to the brink of war. Like fellow presidential contender Lien Chan, Chen supports establishing shipping links with China and possibly later lifting restrictions on direct flights tot he mainland. He

says he would consider allowing Taiwan banks to open branches in China. He would aim to resume cross-strait negotiations and would open to discussing the one China policy, so long as it was not pre-condition for dialogue. Chen would try to visit China after the presidential election and before his inauguration if elected. Likewise, he would invite Chinese leaders to visit Taiwan. Chen says that unless China attempts to use force, the DPP will never declare the independence of Taiwan unilaterally, or even call for a referendum on the issue. He stresses that Taiwan has already become an in dependent, sovereign country, so there is no need to take up the question of whether Taiwan is independent. As mayor of the capital Taipei from 1994 to 1998, Chen gained a reputation of being

tough on corruption. He also became know for his media stunts, which included surprise visits with TV crews to government offices to look for officials taking unauthorized days off. Once a maritime lawyer, Chen made his name defending political dissidents during Taiwan s martial law era, which ended in 1987. Frustrated by seeing his clients repeatedly convicted by the state, Chen entered politics as a Taipei City Councilor in 1981 and was elected to the Legislative Yuan or parliament, in 1989. Chen called on all of his supporters to join together and make an historic choice: to change Taiwan s fate and root out corruption from politics. Conclusion: The three principal presidential contenders- Vice President Lien Chan, the KMT s candidate, Democratic Progressive Party s candidate

Chen Shui-bian and independent James Soong have played down whatever differences they might have with the Communists. Lien Chan would like to explore the possibility of building better mainland, establishing what he calls a win-win situation between the two sides. James Soong thinks that Taiwan s fundamental position is that Taiwan want to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Chen Shui-bian states that the ones who can normalize relations with the mainland with the mainland are not the parties that have had historical disputes with China. The KMT-Communist Party dispute still exists. The DPP, on the other hand, has no historical baggage. These three major presidential candidates are all willing to pursue peace with China, but they are likely to be restrained by