Taiwan’s Party Politics

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Taiwan Court Rejects Presidential Election Suit
(Reuters, Dec. 31, 2004) Taiwan's High Court rejected a second lawsuit to nullify the March 20 presidential poll and upheld President Chen Shui-bian's narrow re-election victory.

Court Approves Chen Shooting Probe
(Reuters, Dec. 16, 2004) Taiwan constitutional court yesterday gave the green light to an opposition-led inquiry into the March election-eve shooting of President Chen Shui-bian, but also said parts of the probe violated the Constitution.

China Says Taiwan Election Proves Most Want Peace with the Mainland (AFP, Dec. 15, 2004) China said weekend election results in Taiwan proved most Taiwanese favor peace with the mainland and were disillusioned with the separatist activities of President Chen Shui-bian.

Taiwan President's Popularity Dips to Record Low After Poll: Survey (AFP, Dec. 13, 2004) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's popularity has fallen to a record low of 34 percent after the defeat of his pro-independence alliance in weekend parliamentary elections.

Taiwan Says No to New Mandate
(CNN.com, Dec. 12, 2004) The people of Taiwan have said no to a new mandate to accelerate President Chen Shui-bian's pro-independence policies.

Chen's Pro-Independence Party Loses Taiwan Poll
(Reuters, Dec. 11, 2004) Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian's party suffered a surprise defeat in elections likely to be welcomed in Beijing as a step back from what it sees as dangerous moves toward independence from mainland China.

Suspected Explosives Found Before Taiwan Election
(Reuters, Dec. 10, 2004) Police found four packages of suspected explosives at the Taiwan capital's main railway station, triggering a bomb scare days before a hotly contested legislative election.

Lien Confident of Blue Majority
(Taipei Times, Dec. 9, 2004) The pan-blue camp will win a majority of seats in the year-end legislative elections, KMT Chairman Lien Chan predicted, while emphasizing that a pan-blue majority will also be beneficial for cross-strait relations.

KMT, TSU Draw Thousands to Rallies
(Taipei Times, Dec. 6, 2004) The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) and KMT held simultaneous large-scale campaign parades in Taipei, with no major clashes between supporters of the two rival camps.

Pan-Blues File Election Appeal
(Taipei Times, Nov. 30, 2004) The team representing the nation's opposition parties filed an appeal with the Taiwan High Court of its verdict upholding the legitimacy of the March 20 elections.

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.

DPP Struggles to Keep Up with President
(Taipei Times, Nov. 24, 2004) Chen Shui-bian has set a blistering pace on the campaign trail trying to keep the pan-blue camp on the ropes. Some in the DPP are gasping as well.

Failed Coup Still a Coup, Declares Chen
(Taiwan News, Nov. 17, 2004) President Chen Shui-bian reaffirmed the pan-blue camp had fostered an "abortive 'soft' coup" against the DPP government after the March 20 election.

Taiwan Defense Ministry Rejects Chen 'Soft Coup' Allegations (AFP, Nov. 16, 2004) Taiwan's defense ministry has rejected President Chen Shui-bian's allegations that some top military officers were involved in an attempted 'soft coup' after the disputed presidential polls.

DPP Rejects Soong's Warnings of War
(Taiwan News, Nov. 8, 2004) James Soong warned again that the electorate's failure to vote for pan-blue candidates in the December legislative elections could lead to war in Taiwan next year.

Parties Focus on Gaining Majority
(TN, Oct. 24, 2004) The ruling and opposition camps both asked voters to give them majority control in the Legislature and blamed each other for Taiwan's increasingly partisan political climate.

PFP, KMT Should Merge in 2005, James Soong Says
(China Post, Oct. 4, 2004) Soong said it would be wiser for the merger to materialize in 2005 than this year, as December's legislative elections — in which the ruling party will try to gain a majority — is just around the corner.

Chen Refuses to Confirm 3-19 Investigation Members
(Taiwan News, Oct. 2, 2004) President Chen Shui-bian decided not to confirm appointments to the controversial "special March 19 shooting incident truth finding committee" in order to "maintain national constitutional order."

Chen Signs Law for 3-19 Investigation Tribunal
(Taiwan News, Sep. 25, 2004) President Chen signed into law a controversial bill that would set up a special multi-partisan commission to probe the March 19 shooting in Tainan City of himself and Vice President Annette Lu.

Legislature Overrides Probe Veto
(China Post, Sep. 15, 2004) The opposition-dominated Legislature blocked the Cabinet's attempt to withdraw a newly passed statute governing the investigation of the March 19 shooting that injured President Chen Shui-bian.

Lee Rules Out Assassination in Shooting Investigation
(Taiwan News, Aug. 30, 2004) U.S.-based forensic expert Dr. Henry Lee who was investigating the March 19 shooting of President Chen Shui-bian has concluded that the incident was not an assassination attempt.

Cabinet Vetoes Truth Commission Bill
(Taiwan News, Aug. 28, 2004) The Democratic Progressive Party Cabinet approved a motion to demand that the Legislative Yuan reconsider a statute to establish a "March 19 shooting incident special truth-finding commission."

US Experts Look Favorably on Constitutional Package
(Taipei Times, Aug. 27, 2004) Several US Taiwan experts gave a thumbs up to the constitutional package approved by the Legislative Yuan this week, saying it will lead to a more moderate, responsible legislature and a better overall quality of lawmaker in the future.

Legislature Adopts New Bill to Set Up Probe into Shooting
(China Post, Aug. 25, 2004) The Legislature adopted a controversial bill for the setting up of an independent body to look into the election-eve shooting, but President Chen Shui-bian and his camp refused to accept what they described as an unconstitutional law.

Lawmakers Pass Bill to Halve Legislature
(Taiwan News, Aug. 24, 2004) The Legislative Yuan finalized a sweeping package of proposed constitutional amendments that would allow voters in late 2007 to use a new "single district, dual vote" system to elect a Legislative Yuan that will be downsized to 113 seats from its current size of 225 seats.

KMT Seeks New Name, Status Quo for Taiwan
(China Post, Aug. 19, 2004) "The Republic of China today has been merged with Taiwan into a single body," "The Republic of China is the biggest guarantee for Taiwan's democracy and peace."

President Vows to Retire from Public Life in 2008
(CNA, Aug. 7, 2004) President Chen Shui-bian said he will not run for any public office after his current presidential term expires in May 2008.

New Tide Faction Celebrates 20 Years, Holds Symposium
(Taiwan News, Aug. 2, 2004) The New Tide Faction of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party celebrated its 20th anniversary by calling a symposium to discuss its role within the party and its visions for country.

New Taiwan Democracy School Opens
(Central News Agency, July 25, 2004) The school was inaugurated on July 19 to promote what its founders called a "new democratic movement."

Political Heavyweights form New Party
(Taiwan News, July 20, 2004) Two former chairmen of the Democratic Progressive Party set up a new political group yesterday to serve as a third force in Taiwanese politics.

DPP Tightens Rules on Factions
(Taipei Times, July 19, 2004) Stopping short of banning factions altogether, the DPP decided to prohibit members serving in an official capacity from belonging to party factions.

New Political Party To Be Inaugurated
(CNA, July 4, 2004) The pro-independence camp will see more internal competition from a new fundamentalist party expected to be set up today. The Formosa Party insists on creating a Taiwan republic with a brand new constitution.

Chen Outlines Four Missions for Cabinet
(Taiwan News, May 30, 2004) Cross-strait relations, Taiwan's participation in the World Trade Organization, economic revival and establishing Taiwan as a marine nation.

KMT, PFP Ready to Join in Merger
(Taipei Times, May 19, 2004) Officials from both the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the People First Party (PFP) confirmed that the two parties are pursuing a merger.

KMT Is Split on `Chinese' in Its Name
(Taipei Times, May 16, 2004) The Chinese Nationalist Party's (KMT) Strategy and Discourse Unit is struggling to reach a consensus on dropping the word "Chinese" from the party's name.

New KMT Reform Alliance to Promote Professionalism
(China Post, May 3, 2004) The "567 Alliance" of reform-minded KMT members was formally inaugurated, with a manifesto of promoting inter-generational cooperation within the KMT, regionalism in its approach.

Chen Says He Survived 'Aborted Coup' After Disputed Poll
(AP, Apr. 26, 2004) Taiwan's president said he survived a "coup," with massive opposition protests failing to topple him following last month's disputed election.

Shen Draws Heat from DPP over 'Love Taiwan' Criticism
(China Post, Apr. 19, 2004) DPP lawmaker Shen Fu-hsiung's relations with his party are likely to be even more estranged after making the controversial remark that the DPP should drop the "loving Taiwan" campaign theme.

Despite Wrangling, Ruling and Opposition Parties Shifting Focus to Legislative Elections (Taiwan News, Apr. 18, 2004) Despite the ongoing dispute over the presidential election, the ruling and opposition parties are working to expand their presence in the Legislature with both camps aiming to win a solid majority in the body.

Paper Survey Reveals Over 40% of Voters Support Pan-Blue Camp
(Taiwan News, Oct. 28, 2003) Pan-blue opposition maintains a wide lead over incumbent President Chen Shui-bian of the DPP, but DPP's own poll shows Chen trails by only 2.3 percentage points

KMT, PFP File Suit Against Chen Over Remark about China
(Taipei Times, Oct. 18, 2003) KMT and PFP jointly filed a civil lawsuit against President Chen, demanding that Chen apologize for his remarks that Beijing had been secretly helping the pan-blue camp to stonewall his government.

Chen Trailing Opposition Leader in Polls
(AFP, Sep. 22, 2003) With the 2004 presidential polls half a year away, Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian is trailing leading opposition leader Lien Chan in three separate public opinion polls.

KMT Lawmakers Barred from Visiting China
(CNA, Sep. 22, 2003) The legislative caucus of the opposition Kuomintang has ordered all party lawmakers to refrain from visiting China, Hong Kong and Macau in the runup to the March 20, 2004 presidential election in order to avoid being branded pro-Beijing by rivals.

Lee Urges Support for Rectification of Taiwan's Name
(Taiwan News, Aug. 24, 2003) In a determined bid to make "Taiwan" the country's official title, former President Lee Teng-hui said the Republic of China no longer exists and that his successor shares the opinion but it is not convenient for him to say it out loud.

Taiwan's Ruling Party Embarks in Soul-Searching
(Financial Times, Aug. 12, 2003) Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party has been forced into an internal debate over its identity, campaigning style and inner-party democracy seven months before a crucial election.

'Pan-blue' Wins Hualien Prelude to 2004 Poll
(China Post, Aug. 3, 2003) Hsieh Shen-san declared a land-slide victory in the heated Hualien magisterial by-election, marking the first successful campaign battle of the KMT-PFP alliance.

'Pan-Blue' Alliance Stresses Local Autonomy in Post-DPP Era
(China Post, June 8, 2003) The leaders of three opposition parties agreed to give administrative autonomy to local-level governments as a way to provide more efficient services to the public in a post-DPP era.

Lien, Soong Reportedly Make Secret Election Deal
(China Post, June 5, 2003) Two major opposition parties dismissed rumors that their chairmen had reached a secret deal concerning the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections.

KMT Denies Soong Rules the Alliance
(Taipei Times, May 31, 2003) KMT legislators said that the DPP's recent allegations of PFP Chairman James Soong's dominant role in the KMT-PFP decision-making mechanism was merely an attempt to sow discord in the pan-blue alliance.

Chen Names KMT’s Siew to Head Top-Level Economic Group
(Taiwan News, May 24, 2003)  President Chen Shui-bian named Kuomintang Vice Chairman and former premier Vincent Siew to convene a top-level "presidential group of economic advisers."

Polls Indicate Strong Support for Lien-Soong
(CP, Apr. 20, 2003) The survey by the China Times gives the Lien-Soong team an overall 51 percent support compared with 27 percent for the Chen-Lu ticket.

GIO Has Now Commissioned 'Study' on Local Media
(China Post, Apr. 16, 2003) The Government Information Office, having angered the electronic media with a proposed rating system in line with its alleged censorship campaign, sparked more outrage yesterday by commissioning a study on local newspapers and magazines.

Young Taiwanese Favor Opposition
(AP, Apr. 16, 2003) Most young Taiwanese would support opposition candidates over President Chen Shui-bian in the island's presidential election next year, a poll showed

President Chen Behind in Pre-Election Polls
(CNA, Apr. 14, 2003) Support rates for the joint ticket formed by the opposition KMT and PFP would lead any type of slates that the ruling DPP fields in next year's presidential race.

Lien's Proposed China Peace Trip is 'a Surrender'
(Straits Times, Apr. 1, 2003) Taiwan's Chen slams KMT leader's offer as 'submitting to Beijing', despite having made the proposal himself before.

Lien, Soong Attack DPP's 'Negative' Record in Power
(TT, Mar. 23, 2003) Opposition leaders lashed out at President Chen Shui-bian's  governing record, criticizing Chen's leadership as inept and saying that his administration attaches no importance to professionalism.

New Party Happy to Join 'Pan Blue' Alliance
(China Post, Feb. 18, 2003) The New Party will join the "pan blue" alliance if it is invited by the Kuomintang and People First Party, the tiny opposition party's leader said.

Lien, Soong Pair Up for 2004 Election
(Taiwan News, Feb. 15, 2003) Kuomintang Chairman Lien Chan and People First Party Chairman James Soong officially announced that the two opposition parties would form a political alliance to cooperate in the 2004 presidential election.

James Soong Manifesto Explains Proposed PFP-KMT Partnership
(China Post, Feb. 13, 2003) People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong yesterday unveiled a "Ten Thousand-Word Manifesto," explaining his anticipated partnership with his Kuomintang (KMT) counterpart, Lien Chan, for the 2004 presidential poll.

KMT Drops Claims Against Soong
(Taiwan News, Jan. 30, 2003) The Kuomintang yesterday dropped all allegations of embezzlement against People First Party Chairman James Soong. KMT says accusations of embezzlement of funds was only a 'misunderstanding'

KMT Puts Assets into Trust Funds to Clean Up Image
(Straits Times, Jan. 30, 2003) Taiwan's biggest opposition party hopes to win back voters in elections next year by getting rid of its money-grubbing reputation.

Vote-Selling Allegations Rock Taiwan Opposition
(AFP, Dec. 27, 2002) Taiwan's two main opposition parties were embroiled in allegations of vote-selling which their opponents are hoping could cause major damage in the run-up to the 2004 presidential election.

Ex-President Lee to Support DPP in Presidential Poll
(China Post, Dec. 22, 2002) Lee Teng-hui has formally thrown himself into the crucial 2004 presidential elections by committing himself to further consolidate the Democratic Progressive Party government.

KMT Chair Vows 2004 Cooperation
(Taiwan News, Dec. 20, 2002) Kuomintang Chairman Lien Chan says he's determined to make a coalition with the People First Party work and that the 2004 presidential election will be a "decisive battle" in which the KMT will not be absent from.

KMT, PFP Agree to Field Single Ticket for 2004 Election
(China Post, Dec. 15, 2002) The top leaders of the two major opposition parties hammered out an agreement to field a unified ticket for the 2004 presidential election. But most observers think this is just the beginning of the tough challenge to reconcile differences in the opposition alliance.

Polls Favor Ma as Pro-Blue Contender in '04
(Taiwan News, Dec. 9, 2002) Ma could be a presidential hopeful in the pro-blue alliance, and could be nominated as the alliance's candidate for president or vice president in 2004.

Taipei Mayor Seen as Presidential Hopeful
(CNN.com, Dec. 8, 2002) Newly re-elected Taipei mayor Ma Ying-jeou has emerged as the best -- if not only -- candidate that opposition parties in Taiwan can muster for defeating President Chen Shui-bian next year.

Elections Maintain Status Quo
(Taipei Times, Dec. 8, 202) In Taipei, the KMT incumbent Ma Ying-jeou retained his post, winning 64 percent of the vote against DPP challenger Lee Ying-yuan's 36 percent.

Paper's Apology Resolves Dispute with President
(Taiwan News, Dec. 6, 2002) China Times admits it did not verify sources; critics worry about fallout from lawsuit threat.

Taiwan's DPP Struggles in Key Mayoral Races
(AFP, Dec. 2, 2002) The ruling Democratic Progressive Party is facing a tough battle to win vital mayoral elections in Taiwan's two biggest cities in what analysts say is a litmus test for the 2004 presidential polls.

Resignations Submitted Over Issue of Financial Reform Threaten DPP Unity
(Taiwan News, Nov. 23, 2002) Democratic Progressive Party's unity edges toward breakdown after the Cabinet's sudden decision to halt reform of credit departments within farmers' and fishermen's associations.

Chen-Soong Summit Meets Roadblock
(Taiwan News, Oct. 16, 2002) The long-awaited meeting between President Chen Shui-bian and People First Party Chairman James Soong was canceled.

Taiwan's Nationalists to Put Assets in Trust
(Reuters, Sep. 25, 2002) Taiwan's main opposition Nationalist Party, the world's richest political organization, pledged to put assets worth $1.6 billion into a trust after coming under fire from political rivals.

Opposition Coalition for Mayoral Race in Southern Taiwan Collapsing
(AP, Sep. 13, 2002) Distrust and public bickering doomed an unprecedented effort by opposition parties to support a single candidate in a mayoral race in Taiwan's second-largest city.

KMT, PFP Take Message to D.C.
(China Post, Sep. 7, 2002) Reemerging as a restructured opposition party and now teamed up with the People First Party, the KMT is engaged in a new battle — trying to make its voice heard on Capitol Hill.

Opposition Blasts Chen for Partisan Politics
(Taiwan News, July 22, 2002) Opposition lawmakers immediately went on the offensive and criticized President Chen Shui-bian's rise to chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party as a breach of the public's trust.

President Chen to Turn New Page for DPP
(China Post, July 21, 2002) President Chen Shui-bian will take over as the chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party today, turning a new page for the ruling party and Chen's administration.

Chen Aide Says 'One China' Needs To Be Rejected
(Taiwan News, July 19, 2002) Every member of the national stabilization alliance proposed by President Chen should reject the "one China" principle and "one country, two system" proposal to prevent Taiwan from becoming an "invisible nation" under Beijing's suppression, a top presidential aide said.

TSU Agrees to Cross-Party Cooperation with DPP
(Taiwan News, July 16, 2002) The Taiwan Solidarity Union agreed to cooperate with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party on an issue-by-issue basis, moving one step forward in fulfilling President Chen Shui-bian's proposal to form a cross-party alliance.

Lee Backs Chen's Plan for Cross-Party Alliance
(Taiwan News, July 15, 2002) Former President Lee Teng-hui voiced support for the formation of the cross-party national stabilization alliance proposed by President Chen Shui-bian, adding that the reassembling of political parties is a must-do for the sake of Taiwan's stability.

KMT, PFP Slam Chen for Blasting Opposition
(Taiwan News, July 9, 2002) Both the KMT and the PFP held press conferences at their respective headquarters to call for President Chen Shui-bian to end his condemnation of the opposition parties while using public funds to engage in state-visits in Africa.

Lien Rejects Chen's Cross-Party Pact
(Taipei Times, July 7, 2002) KMT Chairman Lien Chan dismissed President Chen Shui-bian's plan to create a "cross-party alliance for national stabilization" as a means to dodge his responsibility for the country's problems.

Chen's 'Majority Alliance' Proposal Draws Mixed Response
(China Post, July 6, 2002) President Chen Shui-bian's plan to forge a "majority alliance" in the divided Legislature drew mixed reactions in the domestic political arena .

Chen Renews His Hope for Alliance
(Taipei Times, July 5, 2002) Drawing on the political lessons of Taiwan's African allies, President Chen Shui-bian said Wednesday he may resurrect a plan to bring calm to the legislature: A cross-party alliance for stability.

KMT Wins Big in Local Chief Polls
(Taipei Times, June 9, 2002) In the election of village and borough wardens, the KMT took 3,960 seats out of the 7,360 up for grabs, winning 53.8 percent of the total number of seats. Independent candidates won 3,240 of the posts. The DPP won 129 seats and the PFP 22.

DPP Votes Chen into Chairmanship
(Taipei Times, April 21, 2002) President Chen Shui-bian will become the DPP's new chairman after the party yesterday approved revisions to its charter to make the head of state lead the party when it is in power.

TSU Slams Lien for Describing Former President as 'Passe'
(China Post, April 20, 2002) The Taiwan Solidarity Union yesterday reproached Kuomintang Chairman Lien Chan for dismissing ex-President Lee Teng-hui as being "passé."

KMT Achieves Major Wine in Local Elections
(CNA, Jan. 27, 2002) The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) chalked up major victories in local elections Saturday, gaining 225 seats among 319 city mayors and township chiefs and 424 seats among 897 city and county councilmen.

Taiwan's Chen Shui-bian Tests Coalition Waters
(Reuters, Oct. 31, 2001) President Chen Shui-bian's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) floated the idea of entering into a post-election political partnership with one of the island's opposition parties to break a legislative gridlock.

Lien Chan: The Kuomintang's First Directly-Elected Leader
(AFP, Mar. 25, 2001) Lien Chan, still struggling to recover from his bitter defeat in presidential elections a year ago, can now at least savor becoming the first Kuomintang (KMT) party leader directly elected by party members. Lien had pledged further reform within the 106-year-old KMT.

Taiwan’s Democracy Takes a New Step By John F. Copper
(Far Eastern Economic Review, Dec. 2004) Despite its surprise outcome, it would be a mistake to read this election as a sign of a major shift in the Taiwanese views or that the voting bases of the two blocs has changed.

Poll May Lead to New Tack on Straits
(Editorial, Taiwan News, Dec. 16, 2004) Essentially, the scenario of the triangular relations between Taipei, Beijing and Washington is the same as before the elections.

The People Have Spoken, But What Do They Mean? By Hung Yung-tai (Taipei Times, Dec. 15, 2004) One obvious conclusion can be drawn from the distribution of votes between the different parties in the legislative elections: there is basically no difference from the results of the elections three years ago.

China's Saber Rattling: Paying Off? By Joseph Kahn
(New York Times, Dec. 13, 2004) After an upset victory by the anti-independence camp in Taiwan's legislative elections, Beijing is likely to conclude that its efforts to make war seem imminent are helping to reduce the risk of conflict, political analysts here said.

In Taiwan Ballot, Ties With Beijing Seem to Be a Winner By Keith Bradsher (New York Times, Dec. 12, 2004) Voters appeared to reject President Chen Shui-bian's increasingly forceful calls in the past two weeks for greater Taiwanese independence from mainland China.

Upset Win for Taiwan Opposition
(CNN. Dec. 11, 2004) Taiwan's opposition has won a legislative majority in a stunning upset over President Chen Shui-Bian's pro-independence coalition.

Taiwan Predicts Win to Alarm China
(Associated Press, Dec. 10, 2004) The Taiwanese leader's party and its pro-independence allies are predicting a narrow victory in Saturday's legislative elections -- a win that would likely alarm rival China and speed up the island's drift away from Beijing's sacred goal of unification.

Small Pro-Independence Party Gaining in Taiwan By Keith Bradsher (New York Times, Dec. 9, 2004) The T.S.U., as it is commonly known, favors immediate steps toward greater independence from mainland China. It has benefited from a strong and unexpected surge in opinion polls here in the last two weeks.

Pro-Independence Parties Tipped to Make Gains in Taiwan Vote (AFP, Dec. 8, 2004) Pro-independence parties are tipped to make gains in Taiwan's legislative elections this weekend and thereby anger China, already threatening to take military action if the island drifts further from Beijing.

Taiwan's Chen Plays Up Constitutional Reform to Secure Votes (Channel News Asia, Dec. 7, 2004) President Chen Shui-bian has stepped up his rhetoric on constitutional reform in an attempt to consolidate the support of pro-independence voters.

Taiwan Parties Start Campaigning for Crucial Elections By Lawrence Chung (Straits Times, Dec. 2, 2004) Taiwan kicked off 10 days of campaigning in an election which the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its allies will have to win if they want to push through their pro-independence agenda.

Chen Plays the Ideology Card' Before Election
(Taipei Times, Nov. 23, 2004) It may not have worked for his mayoral re-election bid, but Chen Shui-bian's focus on independence versus unification may pay off in next month's elections.

Chen Says He's Making History
(Straits Times, Nov. 8, 2004) 'I am a history-maker and I have two historic missions,' said Mr Chen in an interview in the latest issue of Time Asia this week.

Taiwan Ruling Party Casts KMT into the Shade By Kathrin Hille
(Financial Times, Oct. 18, 2004) So far, the ruling party is the frontrunner, with the KMT bogged down following its presidential election defeat in March.

Pro-Unification Camp May Lose Majority By Lawrence Chung
(Straits Times, Oct. 13, 2004) At the close of candidacy registration, analysts say Kuomintang and its ally may suffer because of keen competition and lack of solidarity.

Chen Grabs Headlines with Uneventful Trip Abroad
(Straits Times, Sep. 10, 2004) Cleverly timed announcements distract the media from his lack of diplomatic gains during transit stops in the US this time.

Kuomintang in Crisis By Lawrence Chung
(Straits Times, Aug. 8, 2004) Taiwanese or Chinese? Identity conflict splits former ruling party, leaving its members disenchanted.

Taiwan's Strongman in the Making? By Lawrence Chung
(Straits Times, July 31, 2004) Chen's appointment of trusted aides to key positions has raised concerns thathe is undermining the island's democracy.

New Opposition Group Could Split Anti-Chen Vote By Lawrence Chung (Straits Times, July 21, 2004) The Taiwan Democratic School hopes to woo back disillusioned voters, but could end up hobbling opposition camp if voters fail to bite.

KMT: A Lurching Pantomime Horse By Laurence Eyton
(Asia Times, July 1, 2004) Taiwan's Chinese Nationalist Party or Kuomintang (KMT) is not like other parties in other places. Other parties reward promise and punish failure.

Taiwan Moves Beyond the One-Party State By Ross Terrill
(Boston Globe, May 25, 2004) An ear is ending in Taiwan. The one-party state is dying. Unfortunately for the Bush administration, which needs calm in East Asia, this means that the identity of Taiwan will intensify and hopes for "One China" will fade.

DPP, KMT Preoccupied with Style over Substance
(Editorial, China Post, May 17, 2004) Over the past several days, factions, leaders and opinion makers have come up with a variety of suggestions as the country prepares for President Chen Shui-bian's May 20 inauguration.

Democracy Is 'Rationally Tolerant': Ma (China Post, May 5, 2004) Mayor of Taipei Ma Ying-jeou called for democracy as a "rationally tolerant way of life" to counter what he called President Chen Shui-bian's trinity of independence, referendum and new constitution.

Taiwan Charter Vote Next Cross-Strait Flashpoint By Ching Cheong
(Straits Times, Apr. 21, 2004) President Chen Shui-bian faces uphill task in forging consensus and the right conditions for new Constitution by 2006.

Panama: A Bridge to the Americas? By Parris Chang
(Taipei Times, Nov. 3, 2003) President Chen Shui-bian left for the US and Panama on Oct. 31. Why does he want to leave the country now, with only 140-odd days until next year's presidential election?

Taiwan's President Takes Risk by Seeking New Constitution By Kathrin Hille (Financial Times, Oct. 27, 2003) Chen Shui-bian began a campaign at the weekend to create a distinct national identity for the island - an effort that could win him support from voters but risks escalating tension with China and paralysing political life in Taiwan.

Taiwan: Blue versus Green By Lawrence Chung
(Straits Times, Sep. 3, 2003) With slightly more than six months to go before Taiwan's presidential elections, the contest is already showing signs of being yet another engaging dead heat.

'Pan Purple' Camp Will Be a Positive Influence
(Editorial, China Post, Aug. 17, 2003) The local political scene has certainly become more colorful with the appearance of the "pan purple" alliance, a group of welfare organizations representing the underprivileged.

What Can We Learn from Hualien? By Wang Yeh-lih
(Taipei Times, Aug. 5, 2003) In the inevitable partisan and ideological showdown, a key minority may swing the election outcome. The campaign process in Hualien seems to have predicted this.

Hualien Election Results Demonstrates DPP in Need of Re-Transformation By Dennis Engbarth (Taiwan News, Aug. 3, 2003) The defeat suffered by the Democratic Progressive Party in yesterday's by-election for Hualien County magistrate exposed its need to "re-transform" itself back into a force for the promotion of citizen participation instead of acting as a "top-down" ruling party.

Politics First, The Economy Second By Jason Dean and Michael Vatikiotis (Far Eastern Economic Review, July 31, 2003) Chen Shui-bian has long been defiant towards China, and with a re-election bid in store that's not going to change. His opponents and many in business who want closer ties with the mainland are saying that Chen has focused on politics only at the economy's expense.

Interview: Chen Shui-bian
(Far Eastern Economic Review, July 31, 2003) The outspoken president of Taiwan takes aim at the new leaders in Beijing, worries about freedom under China's rule and defends his China policy.

Chen's Call for WHO Referendum Seen as Distraction from Virus
(Taiwan News, May 25, 2003) President Chen Shui-bian opened a political Pandora's Box when he floated the idea of holding a referendum on whether or not Taiwan should join the World Health Organization.

What's Needed: Leadership
(Editorial, China Post, May 20, 2003) President Chen must assert his much wanted leadership, before it is too late, to achieve a national unity of purpose in Taiwan's anti-SARS war.

Opposition Figures Team Up to Take On Taiwan President By Keith Bradsher
(New York Times, Apr. 22, 2003) The leaders of Taiwan's two main opposition parties, which together have outpolled the current party in power in recent elections, have agreed to run together on a single ticket in next year's presidential election.

What about the Taiwan question? By Parris Chang
(Taipei Times, Apr. 21, 2003) If Lien and Soong come to power, what path will they walk? Will the US government "take sides" in Taiwan's presidential election next year?

Lee Teng-hui's Call for Independence 'a Political Ploy' By Lawrence Chung
(Straits Times, Mar. 21, 2003) Ex-president seeks votes of those who favour a split from China; he also wants to be 'the father of Republic of Taiwan'.

Chen's Reelection Bid Faces Challenge
(China Post, Mar. 17, 2003) Lee Teng-hui's call for a new Constitution lays bare the uphill struggle President Chen Shui-bian is fighting for his reelection next year, political observers say.

Can a Marriage of Convenience Win Taiwan's Coveted Prize? By Raymond Wu
(Straits Times, Mar. 6, 2003) Inter-party alliance is a new concept, and practice, in Taiwan's maturing democracy. Last month's meeting between Mr Lien and Mr Soong is just the beginning, not the conclusion.

Taiwanese Politics' Media Circus By Laurence Eyton
(Asia Times, Feb. 25, 2003) While more important issues are largely ignored, Taiwan's political parties are trying to win the spin over a recent wave of divestment of media holdings by government officials.

Taiwan's Soong-Lien Alliance Fragile By Ching Cheong
(Straits Times, Feb. 23, 2003) James Soong and Lien Chan are poised to wrest power next year but Chen Shui-bian can still fight back.

Poll Position By Donald Shapiro
(TIME, Feb. 24, 2003) When James Soong left the Kuomintang (KMT) prior to Taiwan's 2000 presidential race, he essentially handed the election to Chen Shui-bian and his upstart Democratic Progressive Party.

Pact by Taiwan Opposition Poses Threat to Chen By Mure Dickie
(Financial Times, Feb. 16, 2003) Taiwan's main opposition parties have forged an alliance to contest jointly the island's 2004 presidential election, ending a bitter rift between them and posing a potentially potent challenge to the administration.

Chu Crisis Shows the People Hate Black-Gold Politics
(Taipei Times, Dec. 27, 2002) Politicians of all stripes badly under-estimated the public sentiment -- the people are really fed up with black-gold politics.

Poll Finds Ethnicity Still Significant By Chang Mau-Kuei
(Taipei Times, Dec 21, 2002) In Taipei, due to restrained public opinion regarding ethnic controversy and Ma Ying-jeou's gentlemanly election strategy, the problem was minimized.

Lien, Soong and Ma Hold the Key By Wu Yu-Shan
(Taipei Times, Dec. 18, 2002) Lien, Soong and Ma will determine how a pan-blue coalition should be organized and whether it will succeed. That pan-blue coalition will in turn ultimately determine whether the DPP will continue to govern beyond 2004.

Mayoral Elections Give Few Clues About Presidential Race
(China Post, Dec. 8, 2002) The mayoral elections in Taiwan's two biggest cities ended with no surprise upsets, but anyone looking for clues to the 2004 presidential race may have been left as baffled as ever.

Personalities Played Pivotal Part in Election Results By Bruce Jacobs
(Taipei Times, Dec. 8, 2002) Yesterday's mayoral and council elections in Taipei and Kaohsiung have provided mixed messages for the forthcoming presidential election in early 2004.

Poll Warning for Taiwan Ruling Party
(BBC, Dec. 8, 2002) The charismatic and popular Ma Ying-jeou won 64.1% of the vote. His victory sends a powerful mid-term message to President Chen Shui-bian and his ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

In Taipei Mayoral Race, It's Pragmatism vs. Fiery Rhetoric By Jadd Cheng
(Christian Science Monitor, Dec. 5, 2002) To many observers, the results seem all but locked up. It may also foreshadow how voters want to handle a key issue: the all-important cross-straits relationship with China.

China Issue Bound to Pop up in Taiwan's Elections By William Foreman
(Associated Press, Dec. 5, 2002) Mayoral elections usually involve debates about fighting crime, building bridges, unclogging sewers and other local matters. Rarely do relations with neighboring nations become an issue.

DPP Government Facing Four Crises: Political Pundit
(China Post, Nov. 28, 2002) The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government currently faces four "crises" — competence, policy, leadership style and character, a noted political pundit said yesterday.

Taiwan: Reform Debacle Costs Chen Big By Laurence Eyton
(Asia Times, Nov. 26, 2002) Taiwan's government, as Talleyrand said of the Bourbons, has learned nothing and forgotten nothing. The biggest loser of all, though, has to be the president himself.

Taiwan's 'Godfather' Makes Life Difficult for Chen By Lawrence Chung
(Straits Times, Nov. 2, 2002) Alliance with ex-president Lee has led to embarrassing moments on policy issues for the Taipei leader.

Kiss Your Assets Goodbye By Andrew Perrin
(TIME, Oct. 14, 2002) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian wants to strip the powerful KMT party of its cash and its clout. But Chen's controversial bid to strip the KMT of its revenue base is, of course, political.

Lee-Chen Spat for Show, Analysts Say By Lin Mei-chun
(Taipei Times, Sep. 27, 2002) What appears to be contention between the two leaders is intended to appeal to their respective constituents, and is not the sign of a troubled relationship.

Past Returns to Haunt Taiwan's Kuomintang By Frank Ching
(Japan Times, Sep. 21, 2002) Considered by many to be the world's richest political party, the KMT is now the target of legislation being introduced by the Chen administration.

KMT-PFP Cooperation Should Be Principled By Yeh Chin-fong
(Taipei Times, Aug. 27, 2002) To avoid a repeat of their defeat in the 2000 presidential election, the KMT and PFP are willing to cooperate and set the stage for a second transfer of power. Most supporters see this as a necessity.

Analysts Say TSU Will Continue To Be A Stage for Lee
(Taipei Times, Aug. 12, 2002) Political observers said yesterday that the TSU would continue to serve as a stage for former President Lee Teng-hui, especially by keeping Lee's redefinition of cross-strait ties as being "special state-to-state" in nature as its guiding principle.

Chen Faces Difficult Tasks with New Powers By Lin Chieh-yu
(Taipei Times, July 21, 2002) President Chen Shui-bian, who will become chairman of the ruling DPP, is hoping to reconcile the governing and opposition parties and break the deadlock between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

How Can Chen Unite Taiwan's Lawmakers? By Wang Yeh-lih
(Taipei Times, July 15, 2002) No consensus appears to exist so far as to how such an alliance will be organized and run. Even Chen himself has made inconsistent statements on the matter. Therefore, controversy and uncertainty continue to plague the issue.

Chen Risking Failure with Alliance By Emile Sheng
(Taipei Times, July 11, 2002) The long-contemplated cross-party alliance for national stabilization is emerging from the political wilderness once again. Now it appears to be the next item on President Chen Shui-bian's political agenda after his trip to Africa.

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. 

Taiwan's Chen Has Yet to Earn His Stripes By Benjamin Kang Lim
(Reuters, May 20, 2002) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian plans to mark the halfway point of his four-year presidency by giving a rubdown to residents of an old people's home. But perhaps it is Chen's image that needs a rubdown.

See Chen Run By Nisid Hajari and Melinda Liu
(Newsweek, May 20, 2002) Taiwan’s hyperkinetic president still needs to prove to his people—and to Beijing—that he can be as effective a leader as he is a candidate.

Taiwan's Great Divide By Goh Sui Noi
(Straits Times, Feb. 17, 2002) Even as Taiwan fights for international recognition, it is divided within. Goh Sui Noi examines the fault lines that have opened up again in recent years as a result of the political battles between mainlanders and native Taiwanese.

Taiwan: Domestic Gridlock, Cross-Strait Deadlock By Willem van Kemenade
(The Washington Quarterly, Autumn 2001) Cross-strait and Taiwanese internal politics are more interlinked than ever before. In the short-term, Taiwanese politics are bound to see more instability and chaos, leading to a further deterioration in cross-strait relations. (PDF file) 

Lee Teng-hui's Influence in KMT Fades, Say Analysts
(Taiwan News, Feb. 3, 2002) Political scholars analyzed that the pro-blue's victory in Friday's Legislature elections prevented a possible split of the Kuomintang and put an end to former President Lee Teng-hui's influence in the KMT.

Taiwan Nationalists Face Crisis After Purging Lee By Benjamin Kang Lim
(Reuters, Sep. 23, 2001) Taiwan's biggest opposition party has shaken off the shadow of its estranged former leader Lee Teng-hui.