Taiwan Elects Opposition President
(AP, March
18, 2000) Defying China's threats of war, Taiwanese voters ended half a
century of Nationalist Party rule today and elected opposition leader Chen
Shui-bian to the presidency. Chen, of the pro-independence Democratic
Progressive Party, trounced Nationalist Vice President Lien Chan and populist
independent James Soong as Taiwanese overcame any fears of an attack by
Beijing.
Taiwan on Brink of New Political Era
(AP, March
17, 2000) Taiwan stood ready to step into a new political era Friday, but its
future course was unclear with no evident pointer to its next leader and
sinking relations with a war-threatening China. On the eve of Taiwan's second
democratic presidential elections, with China warning it would take the
island by force if there was no reunification, neither candidates nor
pollsters could predict the outcome with confidence.
Cohen: No China Attack Plan Evidence
(Associated
Press, March 17, 2000) Defense Secretary William Cohen said today on the eve
of Taiwan's presidential election that he sees no evidence that China is readying
for an attack on the U.S.-supported island. Cohen urged both China and Taiwan
to end their "war of words" and cautioned that if China increases
its military pressure on Taiwan then political pressure will grow in the U.S.
Congress for more arms sales to Taiwan. "Then the escalation
continues," Cohen said at the Japan National Press Club.
In Defiance of US, China Turns Screw on Taiwan's
Voters
(AFP, March
16, 2000) Two days before the denouement of Taiwan's unpredictable election
campaign, China Thursday ignored US calls for restraint and dangled the
threat of war in front of the island's voters. Tang Shubei, one of Beijing's
top negotiators on Taiwan affairs, said Beijing was determined to bring
Taiwan back under mainland rule at any cost and voters should understand the
island could never become independent.
Taiwan Presidential Candidates Unite Against China
Threats
(AFP, March
15, 2000) War threats from China united Taiwan's leading presidential
candidates Wednesday, as they told hundreds of thousands of cheering
supporters they refused to be intimidated by Beijing. Lien Chan, Chen
Shui-bian and James Soong, in a three-way race for the presidency, stressed
the island enjoyed "independent sovereignty." Three days before the
election, China upped its daily war rhetoric with a salvo of bloodthirsty
warnings against the island going independent.
Zhu Rongji Warns Taiwanese Voters Away from Path of
Independence
(AFP, March
15, 2000) China made a dramatic entrance into Taiwan's election campaign on
Wednesday, cajoling and threatening the island's electorate in equal measure
not to choose the path of independence. While Premier Zhu Rongji appealed to
Taiwan's voters not to make any impulsive decision they would later regret,
China's military hammered out the blunt message that a move towards
independence would bring war.
Taiwan Stocks Plunge Before Vote
(AP, March
13, 2000) Taiwan's jittery stock market plunged in a record one-day point
fall today, as investors nervous about political change sold shares just days
away from the presidential election. The Weighted Price Index dropped 617
points, or 6.55 percent, to 8811.95 as the top candidates in the tight
three-way race campaigned around the island in miserable rainy weather. It
was the largest percentage drop in nearly a decade.
Taiwan's Open Wallets Bring Fear of a Bought
Presidency
(New York
Times, March 12, 2000) Taiwan's voters will elect a new president on March 18
to succeed Lee Teng-hui. With the three main candidates locked within a few
percentage points of one another in the polls, party officials are girding
themselves for another spree of vote buying, and opposition and election
officials fear that the practice could play a substantial role in determining
the winner.
Taiwan Presidential Hopefuls Focus on China Threats
(AFP, March
11, 2000) Taiwanese presidential hopeful Chen Shui-bian on Saturday reassured
voters his election would not spur an invasion by China, while his
competitors stepped up warnings that it would. "If elected, I would
never put the 'two-states theory' in the constitution," Chen said in the
final round of television speeches by the candidates ahead of the March 18
polls.
China Accuses U.S. on Taiwan
(AP, March
10, 2000) China's foreign minister today accused the United States of
inflaming tensions over Taiwan by providing military support, which he said
emboldened Taiwanese who want to lead the island toward outright
independence. With the Taiwanese presidential election eight days away,
Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said Beijing would consider resuming talks with
the victor, but indirectly warned Taiwanese voters away from candidate Chen
Shui-bian of the independence-leaning opposition party, threatening
unspecified consequences.
China's Sniping Heeded by Some Taiwan Voters
(New York
Times, March 9, 2000) With Taiwan's presidential election only 10 days away,
China has uncorked its vitriol on the Democratic Progressive Party candidate,
Chen Shui-bian, calling him a separatist and a silver-tongued liar. To hear
Mr. Chen tell it, Beijing is doing him a favor. "We have a precedent
here," he said in an interview during a campaign swing that took him
from Taipei to this southern port city. "The person China hates, Taiwan
voters love."
China's Military Fires Daily Blast At Taiwan,
Needle At US
(AFP, Mar 7, 2000) Responding to US concern at the 'cacophony' of threats
against Taiwan, China Tuesday fired yet another salvo of vitriol at the
island with a barb at Washington thrown in for good measure. In what has
become a daily ritual as Taiwan's presidential elections on March 18 draw
nearer, Defense Minister Chi Haotian hammered out Beijing's uncompromising
message to voters that independence would mean war.
Taiwan VP Says Independence Means Disaster
(Reuters,
March 6, 2000) "The Taiwan independence platform will bring nothing but
disaster to this country," Lien told a news conference in apparent
reference to Chen Shui-bian, standard-bearer for Taiwan's main opposition
Democratic Progressive Party in presidential elections on March 18.
China's Army Takes Jab at Taiwan Candidate
(Reuters, March 6, 2000) In a thinly-veiled attack on Taiwan presidential
candidate Chen Shui-bian, China's army newspaper on Monday slammed a
"prominent figure'' advocating independence and said millions of troops
were on alert to smash such moves. It was one of Beijing's fiercest
denunciations to date of Chen, standard-bearer for the opposition Democratic
Progressive Party, which has traditionally supported independence.
Taiwan's Presidential Poll Campaign Gets More
Bitter
(Channel
News Asia, March 3, 2000) With just two weeks to go before the 18 March
voting for Taiwan's presidential elections, pollsters and pundits alike are
still finding it almost impossible to predict the winner. Meanwhile, the
campaigns are becoming increasingly hard-fought and bitter as the voting
deadline draws nearer.
3 Taiwan Contenders All Urge Reform
(New York
Times, Feb. 26, 2000) "The party and the government are like Siamese
twins," says James Soong, independent candidate for president, waving his
finger with a touch of outrage. "Every Wednesday the party's central
standing committee meets to discuss the major issues," he said,
"and every Thursday the cabinet rubber-stamps the decisions." Mr.
Soong is not talking about the Chinese Communist Party, as it might seem, but
rather Taiwan's own long-governing Nationalist Party.
Three Leading Candidates Stress Sovereignty of
Island
(Taiwan
News, Feb.25, 2000) Taiwan's presidential candidates promised to hold
cross-strait peace talks if elected, but said they will not be forced into
negotiations by Beijing's strong-arm tactics. James Soong, Chen Shui-bian and
Lien Chan all stressed the sovereignty of the nationalist island and said Beijing's
intimidation would only provoke disdain among Taiwan's population.
Ties with China Focus of Taiwan Presidential
Campaign
(AFP, Feb.
20, 2000) Relations with China dominated the second day of Taiwan's
presidential election campaign, as candidates called for better and peaceful
ties. In the first nationally televised speeches of the campaign which kicked
off Saturday, all five candidates for the March 18 poll called for improved
ties.
Scandals, Lawsuits And Close Polls for Taiwan
Presidential Campaign
(AFP, Feb. 18, 2000) Taiwan's presidential campaigns officially kicks off
Saturday, following months of mud-slinging, vitriolic attacks, scandals and
lawsuits among the candidates. The race will feature five tickets, but
analysts say it is really about three candidates who are competing for voters
who place more importance on image than political ideologies or platforms.
Taiwan Candidate Offers China Policy
(AP, Feb.
17, 2000) Releasing his long-awaited China policy, the ruling party's
candidate for president said today he favors setting up a trade zone and
reviewing Taiwan's ban on direct shipping and air links with its longtime
rival. Vice President Lien Chan tempered his proposals, saying they could
only be carried out if Beijing ended its hostility toward Taiwan and
responded to his government in concrete, positive ways.
Cross-Strait Ties Return as Main Election Issue
(South China Morning Post, Feb. 14, 2000) Cross-strait ties have re-emerged
as the main bone of contention between Taiwan's three presidential
candidates. While Vice-President Lien Chan - who is running for the ruling
Kuomintang - attacked rivals for jeopardising the island's security, his
opponents challenged him for offering nothing original on handling the
relationship with the mainland.
Taiwan Leader Expects Deputy to Continue Policies
If Elected
(AFP, Feb. 13, 2000) Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui said for the first time
Sunday he expected Vice President Lien Chan to continue with existing
policies if elected. But his protege extended an olive branch to Beijing,
saying he wants to meet Chinese President Jiang Zemin and urge direct trade
with the mainland.
Poll Finds Presidential Election to Be 3-Way Race
(CNA, Feb. 12, 2000) The March 18 presidential election will be a
neck-and-neck three-way race, according to the results of a new public
opinion poll released on Saturday. The poll results show that if the
presidential election were to take place the following day, 24.3 percent of
the respondents would vote for independent presidential hopeful James Soong;
23.5 percent would throw their support behind opposition Democratic
Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Chen Shui-bian; and 23.3 percent would opt
for ruling Kuomintang nominee Lien Chan.
Taiwan Politicians Urged Not to Exploit Identity Issue
(AFP, Feb. 10, 2000) Taiwan presidential candidates were urged not to
threaten national unity by playing up the sensitive issue of the origins of
the candidates. Politicians like to divide people on the island into two main
categories. So called mainlanders are those who fled here from the mainland
in the late 1940s with the defeated nationalist troops and their offspring.
Most others are referred to as "Taiwanese."
Taiwan Candidate's Finances Probed
(AP, Feb. 10, 2000) A task force investigating presidential hopeful James
Soong's financial dealings said Thursday the independent candidate failed to
report campaign donations and his family's assets. The task force said Soong
failed to report $16 million in individual campaign donations when he ran for
governor in 1994.
Beijing Wary Ahead of Taipei Poll
(South China Morning Post, Feb. 9, 2000) The Chinese military is targeting
more missiles at Taiwan ahead of next month's elections, including a surprise
attack on the island should things get out of hand, said a United States
National Foreign Policy Committee report carried in the regional Chinese media
yesterday. However, cross-strait ties are expected to improve following the
presidential polls, as tension starts to ease, according to newspapers in
Hongkong and Taiwan.
Taiwan Vice President Urges "Peace Zone"
In Taiwan Strait
(Reuters, Jan 31, 2000) Taiwan Vice President Lien Chan on Monday made a
fresh proposal to resolve Taipei's political dispute with rival Beijing,
calling for a "peace zone" to be established in the Taiwan Strait.
The proposal would allow regional governments, including mainland China, to
share collective responsibility for peace across the Taiwan strait, Lien said
without further elaboration.
Candidate Eases Talk of Independence
(AP, Jan. 30, 2000) The presidential candidate for Taiwan's pro-independence
opposition party promised Sunday that the island would not declare
independence unless mainland China tried to retake it by force. Chen
Shui-bian's statement against independence marked a major shift of the
Democratic Progressive Party's stance ahead of the Mar. 18 election.
President Lee Favors Extensive Party Reform
(China Times, Jan. 24, 2000) Su Chih-cheng, director of the Presidential
Office, stated yesterday that ROC President and Chairman of the Kuomintang
Lee Teng-hui has long considered making the KMT a mechanism for promoting its
candidates, and accordingly will emphasize this point in his future efforts
to reform political parties. President Lee only has a year-and-a-half left in
his tenure as party chairman. Su therefore noted that no matter how
influential Lee might be, he will still have to step down from his position
as party chairman when his term ends. There is no need for him to relinquish
his position any earlier, he added.
Taiwan Candidate Eases on China Policy
(New York Times, Jan. 21, 2000) In a move that could ease tensions between
Taiwan and China during the campaign here leading to the presidential
election in March, the candidate of the governing Nationalist Party declined
today to reaffirm the government's policy of dealing with China "state
to state." The candidate, Vice President Lien Chan, said the policy,
which President Lee Teng-hui announced unexpectedly in July, merely reflected
the reality of relations between Taiwan and China.
DPP's Chen Seeks Treaty with PRC
(Taiwan News, Jan. 19, 2000) Democratic Progressive Party presidential
candidate Chen Shui-bian said yesterday he would seek a settlement to
cross-strait disputes under the framework of the Charter of the United
Nations and consider signing peace treaties with the mainland. Chen, who is
widely regarded as the candidate least favored by mainland China, said
maintaining stability in the strait will be top on his agenda.
China Issues Pre-Election Warning to Taiwan
(Reuters, Jan. 18, 2000) With just two months to go to Taiwan's presidential
elections, China warned the island's future leader on Tuesday against
declaring independence. "No matter who becomes Taiwan's leader, it
should benefit the development of relations between the two sides and China's
peaceful reunification," Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao told
reporters.
Lee Stresses Peaceful Transfer of Power
(CNA, Jan. 15, 2000) President Lee Teng-hui on Saturday reiterated his
expectation that there will be a smooth transfer of power to the new
president after the March 18 election. He mentioned that not only has Taiwan
become a democratic country during his presidency, but its economic system
has become more open and the protection of people's rights has increased.
Chen Shui-Bian Will Not Declare Taiwan's
Independence If Elected
(CNA, Jan. 14, 2000) Opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman
Lin I-hsiung said here on Friday that DPP presidential candidate Chen
Shui-bian will not declare independence for Taiwan if he is elected. On
independence for Taiwan, Lin stressed that Chen will not unilaterally declare
independence, as the issue concerning the destiny of 2.2 million Taiwanese
should be decided through a national referendum.
Soong Announces Trade Policy Outline
(United Daily News, Jan. 13, 2000) Independent presidential candidate James
Soong yesterday announced his trade policy outline, in which he advocated
replacing the current "no haste, be patient" cross-strait trade
policy with one of "positive, active Taiwan leadership."
US Prepared to Work with Any New Government in Taipei
(CNA, Jan. 8, 2000) The United States will work with whoever wins Taiwan's
March 18 presidential election and expects bilateral ties to remain strong in
the future, said Stanley Roth, assistant secretary of state for East Asia and
the Pacific. He said that the United States hopes any democratically elected
party or candidate will act "responsibly and pragmatically" to
advance the interests of the people on Taiwan and to promote cross-strait
dialogue and reduce tensions.
Soong Suggests EU Model as Guideline
(China Times, Jan. 6, 2000) Taiwan and mainland China should sign a 30-year
mutual non-aggression peace treaty, to be witnessed by Japan, the U.S. and
ASEAN countries. He followed that the two sides could join together as two
independent, sovereign states in some kind of arrangement similar to the
European Union model. Soong also stated, however, that any final form of
integration, or other major decision affecting Taiwan's future, would have to
be decided upon by the people of Taiwan.
Taiwan Candidate Urges Party to Give Up Control of
Businesses
(New York Times, Jan. 4, 2000) In a proposal that could foreshadow new rules
for Taiwan's politics, the faltering presidential candidate of the
Nationalist Party has proposed that the party's vast business holdings be
placed in a trust and that it end its direct role in managing hundreds of
companies in which it owns shares. Such changes could reduce the widely
resented advantages enjoyed by the Nationalist Party as it pulls in hundreds
of millions of dollars in profits each year and, according to critics, wields
its shares in everything from banks to oil companies to secure the allegiance
of key groups and individuals.
Taipei-Beijing Ties 'Quasi-International': Soong
(Agence France Presse, Jan. 2, 2000) Taiwan's independent presidential
hopeful James Soong on Sunday called for a peace agreement with rival China
to promote the bilateral ties he defined as "quasi-international."
"If I were elected as the president, I would propose to de-escalate the
tensions," Soong said in a live interview with the Cable News Network of
the United States.
Taiwanese Pol Attacks Accusations
(Associated Press, Dec. 28, 1999) With the help of his sister-in-law and
stacks of receipts, one of Taiwan's main presidential candidates on Tuesday
disputed accusations he misused money when he was a top official in the
ruling Nationalist Party. The late night news conference was James Soong's
third attempt to defend himself from charges that up to $22.5 million from
Nationalist coffers were mishandled, with much of the money ending up in his
relatives' accounts.
Presidential Challenger Targets China Link
(Financial Times, Dec. 22, 1999) Chen Shui-bian, Taiwan's leading opposition
presidential candidate, yesterday announced plans for constitutional reform
intended to strengthen the island's new democracy, but which are likely to be
considered incendiary by mainland China. In a white paper released as part of
a policy agenda for March's presidential election, Mr Chen called for an
overhaul of Taiwan's 52-year-old Republic of China constitution.
Money Scandal: Soong Offers Explanation, But Doubts
Remain
(China Times, Dec. 15, 1999) Independent presidential candidate James Soong,
forced to explain the mysterious presence of more than NT$100 million in a
bank account belonging to his son, Soong Chen-yuan, yesterday said that the
money was deposited by the Kuomintang in 1992, on the instructions of Party
Chairman Lee Teng-hui, and was for him to care for the dependents of the late
President Chiang Ching-kuo, as well as for "other party work."
Spokespersons for the Office of the President and the KMT immediately cast
doubt on Soong's story.
China Frowns On Taiwan Independence Hopeful
(Reuters, Dec 13, 1999) Beijing could not accept a victory in the
presidential election next March by Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party,
which espouses independence from China, a newspaper on Monday quoted China's
envoy to Washington as saying. The China Times said Ambassador Li Zhaoxing
told a group of pro-unification Taiwan visitors that "anybody can be
elected - except Chen Shui-bian".
Opposition Presidential Candidate Picks Female as
Running Mate (AFP, Dec. 10, 1999) Democratic Progressive Party
candidate Chen said choosing Taoyuan country magistrate Annette Lu as his
campaign partner demonstrated a respect for women and a commitment to gender
equality in Taiwan. Lu, 55, had been a noted feminist before turning to
politics to push for greater freedoms and democracy under the then martial
law imposed by the ruling Kuomintang (KMT).
Gap Between Support Rate for Soong, Lien and Chen
Narrows
(CNA, Nov. 26, 1999) The results of the latest pubic opinion poll show that
the gaps between the support ratings of the three main presidential
candidates, former Taiwan governor James Soong, Vice President Lien Chan and
former Taipei Mayor Chen Shui-bian have narrowed.
KMT Expels James Soong
(CNA, Nov. 17, 1999) The ruling Kuomintang's Central Standing Committee on
Wednesday approved unanimously the expulsion from the party of independent
presidential candidate James Soong and six of his core staffers. KMT Chairman
Lee Teng-hui did not comment on the matter during the meeting, and only two
CSC members expressed their deep sorrow but full support for the measure.
Soong Name Surgeon as Running Mate
(AP, Nov. 11, 1999) The front-runner in Taiwan's presidential race said today
that a U.S.-trained heart surgeon who never served in office will be his
running mate, ending weeks of intense speculation about his choice. The
independent candidate, James Soong, announced at a news conference that Chang
Chao-hsiung, head of Chang Gung University, will join him on the March
election ticket.
Taiwan Election Shifts After Quake
(AP, Oct. 29, 1999) Since last month's devastating earthquake in Taiwan, the
ruling party's presidential candidate has jumped from third to second place
in the race and is close to the frontrunner, according to a new poll.
2000 Presidential Election Not to Be Affected by
Earthquake
(CNA, Oct. 21, 1999) The Republic of China's 10th presidential election will
be held on March 18, 2000, as scheduled, and the promulgation to officially
begin the election process will be issued by the Central Election Commission
on Nov. 15.
James Soong Still Leads in Poll
(CNA, Oct. 3, 1999) The results of an opinion poll conducted by the Global
Broadcasting Co. showed former Taiwan Governor James Soong still led five
other candidates, with support from 28.1 percent of respondents.
Lee Criticizes Former Taiwan Governor
(CNA, Sep. 13, 1999) President Lee Teng-hui on Monday praised the ruling
Kuomintang's presidential ticket of Lien Chan and Vincent Siew, but
criticized former Taiwan Governor James Soong as "insincere."
Lien Pledges to Maintain Struggle for Equality
(Reuters, Aug. 30, 1999) Taiwanese Vice President Lien Chan on Monday vowed
no letup in the island's struggle with China if he is elected president,
saying Taiwan's blossoming democracy deserved the world's respect.
Lien Chan Picks Premier As Running Mate in 2000
Election
(CNA, Aug. 26, 1999) Vice President Lien Chan, who will represent the ruling
Kuomintang in the 2000 presidential election, will formally name Premier
Vincent Siew as his running mate.
Pro-Independence Party Candidate Advocates Nuclear
Weapons
(Reuters, Aug 22, 1999) The presidential candidate for a small
pro-independence party said on Sunday Taiwan should develop nuclear weapons
to counter China.
Lien Chan Receives Overwhelming Support for
Presidency in KMT Primary
(AFP, Aug. 21, 1999) Taiwan Vice President Lien Chan received 96 percent
support in the ruling Kuomintang primary election for presidency.
Writer Lee Ao Recruited by New Party to Run in
Presidential Race
(CNA, Aug. 19, 1999) Much to the surprise of pundits around Taiwan, the tiny
opposition New Party announced on Wednesday that it has recruited Lee Ao, a
famous local writer, to run in the island's March 2000 presidential election.
Soong Leading Presidential Hopeful: DPP Poll
(CNA, Aug. 18, 1999) Former Taiwan Governor James Soong is leading three
other presidential hopefuls in a survey released by the opposition Democratic
Progressive Party (DPP).
Lien's Take on "State-to-State" Gains
Most Public Support
(CNA, Aug. 15, 1999) Vice President Lien Chan's assertion that Beijing's
leaders should recognize the Republic of China's existence is the most
heavily supported statement on the matter among Taiwan's four presidential
hopefuls
Premier Zhu Don Corleone
(Editorial,
Washington Post, March 16, 2000) In the common Western conception, China's
Prime Minister Zhu Rongji is the pragmatist and the reformer in the pantheon
of Communist rulers. Yesterday, in a news conference on Taiwan and other
matters, he sounded more like a Mafia kingpin. He warned Taiwan voters to
follow Beijing's preferences in Taiwan's coming presidential election--or
else.
Making the Best of a Tough Job By
Stephen J. Yates
(Taipei
Times, March 16, 2000) Taiwan's most competitive and tumultuous presidential
election fast approaches. Finally there will be a poll with no margin of
error, and for the first time in history Taiwan will have a president-elect
awaiting peaceful transfer of power from a sitting president. The world
should join Taiwan in celebrating its democratic progress and honestly
prepare to cooperate with the people's chosen leader. Unfortunately, lurking
behind the glow of this exercise of popular sovereignty are a multitude of
challenges created by Taiwan, China and the US.
Crisis in the Making? Experts Differ on Whether Rising Tensions Will
Lead to a U.S.-China Clash
(Washington
Post, March 16, 2000) When Taiwan held its first democratic presidential
election four years ago, China fired ballistic missiles over the island 100
miles from its coast. The United States responded with its biggest show of
force in Asia since the Vietnam War, sending two aircraft carriers and 14
other warships to Taiwan. As Taiwan prepares to vote again Saturday, there
have been threatening missives, but no missiles; a war of words, but no
warships. Yet, senior U.S. officials are bracing for the possibility that
Taiwan's election of a new president could bring a period of high tension
with China and compel the United States to make difficult choices.
Taiwan's Presidential Election and its Political
Future By Lin Chia-Lung
(Taipei
Times, March 10, 2000) With a weak president and multi-party competition, a
coalition government will be the overall trend. Political figures will
provide new opportunities for reform if they can follow the trend and form a
stable majority government. But if the new president overestimates his public
support base and insists on imposing his personal will, then our
semi-presidential system combined with a split government is extremely likely
to bring about a catastrophe for democracy.
PRC's Verbal Barrage Takes Aim at Taiwan Elections
(China
Times, March 9, 2000 ) After the February release of the PRC's white paper on
Taiwan policy, the first reaction of the outside world was that the PRC
"was finally taking part in the election." When Jiang Zemin met
with Macao and Hong Kong representatives to the National People's Congress
(NPC) on March 8, he purposefully allowed Taiwanese reporters to take part in
asking questions. It appears this was also a significant attempt to have a
say in Taiwan's election.
The China Card a Tough Hand to Play
By Julian Kuo
(Taipei
Times, March 4, 2000) Taiwan's presidential elections have never been simply
two-way races between the KMT and the DPP. Rather they have always been
three-way races between the KMT, DPP and the Chinese Communist Party: Beijing
has always played a role in the elections. Although it has been unable to
sway the election results so far, it has often played a key role in
generating issues in the race.
Taiwan's Election, China's Future By
Timothy Garton Ash
(New York Times, Feb. 23, 2000) Taiwan was developing its own, separate
identity, at least superficially on a thoroughly American model. And it is
that evolution, rather than the old stalemate with the nationalists, that
makes the Communists really angry. What made China furiously denounce
Taiwan's president, Lee Teng-hui, last summer was his statement that
relations between Taiwan and China are "special state-to-state
relations," implying that Taiwan was a separate state.
Frustrated China Intimidates Taiwan's Voters:
Analysts
(Agence
France Presse, Feb. 21, 2000) China is cranking up its bellicose rhetoric on
Taiwan to intimidate candidates in the presidential elections and because it
is frustrated over lack of progess on reunification, analysts say. China
issued a new White Paper Monday reiterating its policy on Taiwan calling for
peaceful reunification under the "One Country, Two Systems" formula
through negotiation.
Democracy with Taiwanese Characteristics
By Christopher MacDonald
(Taipei Times, Feb. 18, 2000) With one month to go, the presidential
election is shaping into a first-class knockabout contest, a three-way
dogfight among candidates who have turned out to be surprisingly evenly
matched. Day by day, pairings are formed and then broken as each of the three
struggles to capitalize on the misfortunes of his opponents. Calls are
already being heard for voters to drop Candidate A in favor of Candidate B so
as to stop Candidate C at all costs.
Nationalists Might Lose in Taiwan By
William Foreman
(Associated Press, Feb. 14, 2000) Many Taiwanese believe their island is
weeks away from a historic event: the Nationalist Party's loss of the
presidency for the first time in more than 50 years. But the party might
retain power even if its candidate – who has been lagging in the polls the
entire campaign – loses the tight three-way race next month to popular
independent James Soong.
Taiwan Incumbents Fear End to 'Dynasty'
By John Pomfret
(Washington Post, Feb. 12, 2000) With just five weeks before Taiwan
elects a new president, the long-ruling Nationalists appear increasingly
concerned that they may lose their 54-year grip on power and are warning
voters that failure to elect their candidate would spell serious trouble for
the island. Vice President Lien Chan, the Nationalist Party's candidate, said
today that Taiwan risks "domestic disturbances and foreign
invasion" and "immediate danger"--especially from China--if he
is not elected.
Reform or Die By Mahlon Meyer
(Newsweek International, Feb. 7, 2000) The KMT tries to beat its dirty
politics rap. Is it a whitewash? KMT reformers are already struggling to keep
the party together. For decades, the party has been widely viewed to have
encouraged loyalty through payoffs, sinecures and business bailouts.
Candidates Play Down Cross-Strait Issues
By Goh Sui Noi
(South China Morning Post, Feb. 1, 2000) Taiwan's three presidential hopefuls
have de-emphasised the unification/independence issue, as many voters are
afraid of armed conflict with China. The three agree that the Republic of
China is a sovereign state and emphasise the dignity of the people on Taiwan,
insisting on parity in negotiations with China. They also place as priority
the security and safety of the people of Taiwan, thus rejecting war as a
solution to cross-strait conflict.
Inauspicious Signs for Kuomintang By
Jim Mann
(LA Times, Jan. 26, 2000) One of the first big developments of 2000 could
well be an epochal change in Chinese politics: the downfall of the
Kuomintang, or Nationalist Party. On March 18, Taiwan will hold presidential
elections. And as things stand now, the KMT--despite the abundant resources
it commands as one of the world's richest political parties--seems headed for
a historic defeat.
An Embarrassment of Riches Hurts Taiwan's Ruling
Party By Mark Landler
(New York Times, Jan. 23, 2000) Yet the opening of the headquarters in 1998
may turn out to be spectacularly ill-timed. Taiwan will hold elections in
less than two months, and for the first time in five decades, the
Nationalists are in real danger of losing the presidency. The party's
candidate, Vice President Lien Chan, is trailing his two rivals in the very
close race to succeed Taiwan's longtime president, Lee Teng-hui.
Taiwan: Ruling Party's Smart Move By
Mure Dickie
(Financial Times, Jan. 19, 2000) Darby Liu is very relaxed for a man who
could soon lose his job. Mr Liu, secretary general of the committee that
controls the business empire of Taiwan's Nationalist party, or Kuomintang,
chortles as he notes that he could be the first to be fired under a new plan
to place the party's assets under trust management. The scheme, unveiled this
month by Lien Chan, vice-president and ruling party presidential candidate,
would transform control of the "KMT Inc" commercial fiefdom that
has given the ruling party unrivalled resources and extraordinary economic
clout.
Taiwan's Course of Development in New Century
(Taiwan Headlines, Dec. 31, 1999) Any attempt to forecast Taiwan's course in
the next century needs to be linked to the question which of the three
front-running presidential candidates will win the March election. On defense
policy, all the three candidates stress the importance of Taiwan's security.
But they are divided on key defense issues. Essentially, both Lien and Chen
favor Taiwan participating in the anti-missile defense umbrella - known as
Theater Missile Defense (TMD) - a project being studied by the United States.
But Soong has reservations about such a role for Taiwan.
Taiwan Party Alienated From Voters
(Associated Press, Dec. 28, 1999) Chiao's desertion from his party reflects a
popular sentiment for change among Taiwanese demanding a clean and efficient
government. Many complain that democratic reforms in the past 12 years have
failed to curb vote-buying, cronyism and corruption in the Nationalists'
ranks. ``The problems we have today are all because the Nationalist Party has
been in power for too long,''
Taiwan Elections Get Interesting By
William Foreman
(Associated Press, Dec. 4, 1999) Elections have always been a good excuse
for Taiwanese to get a little wacky – staging rallies that rival Las Vegas
variety shows, donning crazy costumes and spreading bizarre rumors about
rival candidates. Now this island is in the middle of a presidential election
that has already provided plenty of entertainment and promises to deliver
more as the campaign heats up in the final months.
All Bets Are Off By Julian Baum
(Far Eastern Economic Review, Dec. 2, 1999) For months now, renegade
presidential candidate James Soong has held a commanding lead in the opinion
polls. Few believed, though, that come election day in March, voters would
really turn their backs on the political establishment led by President Lee
Teng-hui and actually make Soong president.
2000 Taiwan Election Market
(University of Iowa College of Business Administration, Nov. 1999) Between
now and March 18th, 2000, Taiwan will enjoy the most competitive and
important presidential elections in its history. By creating a market for the
March 2000 Taiwanese presidential elections, the IEM allows anyone interested
in the election to track its expected outcome and to challenge their ability
to predict the outcome.
On Second Thought... and Interview: Vice President
Lien Chan By Terry McCarthy
(TIME, Aug. 2, 1999) Pushed by a testy U.S., Taipei hurries to clarify
its leader's startling stance on the island's political status. Many analysts
believe Lee Teng-hui's statements on cross-Strait relations were aimed at
boosting the chances of his heir apparent, Vice President Lien Chan, in next
year's presidential election. TIME's Terry McCarthy and Don Shapiro spoke
with Lien last week in Taipei.
Chen Shui-bian: Taiwan's Fate Is Not China's To
Decide By Alice Hung
(Reuters, 27, 1999) The main opposition party's candidate in Taiwan's
coming presidential polls said the island should be left alone to decide its
political future and appealed to the world to respect whichever path it
chooses.
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