Taiwan independent, Chen tells BBC Options

[moviez]

Taiwan independent, Chen tells BBC
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/arch...8/23/2003375414

REALITY CHECK: Dismissing claims he would declare independence, Chen Shui-bian said the real `status quo' is that Taiwan has been a country for more than half a century
By Shih Hsiu-chuan
STAFF REPORTER, WITH CNA
Thursday, Aug 23, 2007, Page 1

Taiwan does not have to declare independence because it is already independent, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said in an interview with the BBC, the contents of which the Presidential Office made public yesterday.

Chen made the remarks when asked if he would eventually declare independence.

"The reality is Taiwan has been a sovereign, independent country for more than half a century, and that continues to be the `status quo,'" Chen said in the recent interview, adding that Taiwan's sovereignty does not fall under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China and that there is "one country on each side of the Taiwan Strait."

Chen was also asked by the BBC to give his views on a Beijing-based political commentator's claim that the Taiwanese government would choose one of the following three dates to declare independence: the date of next year's presidential election or presidential inauguration, or the opening of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

"We do not have to declare Taiwan's independence because Taiwan is already independent. Therefore, it will not happen on any of those three dates," Chen said.

On concerns that the nation's efforts to become a "normal country" could provoke a military attack from China, Chen said that the nation "will not keep silent just because China does not like what it hears."

Asked if he was confident that the US would defend Taiwan in the event of an attack, Chen said he believed the US would fulfill its obligations as stipulated in the Taiwan Relations Act and come to Taiwan's aid.

However, Chen said that Taiwan could not rely entirely on others and must increase its defense capabilities, but not with the intention of engaging in an arms race.

"We do not seek to engage in war. But we must be prepared for war if we wish to prevent it," he said.

Chen said that although China views almost every step taken by Taiwan as a move toward de jure independence, "the country must carry on with its course."

Chen said it was important for Taiwan to continue building on its democratic achievements, "because democracy is our most effective `theater missile defense' against China" and vital to establishing Taiwan as a "normal country that enjoys the same rights as other countries."

In this sense, he said, Taiwan "has the full right" to participate in the international community and world organizations.

"We want to make sure that one day, the voice of our people will be heard in all corners of the world, if not today, then maybe tomorrow," Chen said. "However long it takes, we will continue striving until we become a normal country that is accepted by international society."

REALITY CHECK: Dismissing claims he would declare independence, Chen Shui-bian said the real `status quo' is that Taiwan has been 53rd States of USA for more than half a century.

[Red Fox Ace]

Yawn, does anyone even pay attention to such ramblings anymore?

[krom]

I support Chen. Taiwan is already independant. fu-k off china.

[Bulldogg]

Does this guy(Chen) ever S*&^ up ?

[lilzz]

I support Chen. Taiwan is already independant. fu-k off china.

except nobody give a $hit to what you think, that's including the majority of world..

If you can accept independence /wo international recognition then more power to you.

You can dream whatever you want but better not an outright declaration else bucket full of $hit will drop on you...

This post has been edited by lilzz: Aug 23 2007, 12:05 PM

[Suijen]

See? Mainland wins. The DPP won't declare independence now.

[moviez]

I think China and Taiwan should reunite into a single country. Of course nationalist Taiwanese would not want to see their province under CCP rule. Maybe China and Taiwan can form a united government ?

[JumboChink]

chan's a joke. taiwanese government seems have too much free time to create unnecessesary dramas.
and i think the idea of ccp included taiwan actually has sum point. see at least ccp has been making china a strong nation while in taiwan we dont do really do $hit

This post has been edited by JumboChink: Aug 24 2007, 05:09 AM

[SkyLegenD]

Lol @ his cowardly tactics

[Suijen]

I think China and Taiwan should reunite into a single country. Of course nationalist Taiwanese would not want to see their province under CCP rule. Maybe China and Taiwan can form a united government ?

So the CCP rules over an additional 22 million people and the KMT rules over an additional 1.3 billion? WOW.

[Chinese DesertFo...]

More like the wuss of a president is too afraid of China's retaliation if he were to declare "independence."

Grow some balls instead of using that lame excuse.

[product_ako]

Well its been 8 years now. So what is CSB true ambition. Probably steal every penny he can get his hands on before leaving office...

[yackyat77]

because it is already independent, President Chen Shui-
"The reality is Taiwan has been a sovereign, independent country for more than half a century, and that there is "one country on each side of the Taiwan Strait."

Exactly right. Taiwan is already independent. This is a fact.

It is very cowardly for a larger country (china) to try to attack a much smaller country (Taiwan).
Very cowardly indeed.
If china loves to fight, then be a man this, and fight a equal size country like Russia, india or the USA.
Communist China is free to invent any excuses they like. I don't care. Fight the USA and see what will happen to you.
But, attacking smaller countries 50 times smaller, is very cowardly. This is the exact reason why I look down upon China and China supporters. So cowardly.

[moviez]

because it is already independent, President Chen Shui-
"The reality is Taiwan has been a sovereign, independent country for more than half a century, and that there is "one country on each side of the Taiwan Strait."

Exactly right. Taiwan is already independent. This is a fact.

It is very cowardly for a larger country (china) to try to attack a much smaller country (Taiwan).
Very cowardly indeed.

So Taiwan's ally (The USA) is a COWARD according to your statement above.
USA goes around attacking small countries such as Panama, Iraq etc

If china loves to fight, then be a man this, and fight a equal size country like Russia, india or the USA.
Communist China is free to invent any excuses they like. I don't care. Fight the USA and see what will happen to you.
But, attacking smaller countries 50 times smaller, is very cowardly. This is the exact reason why I look down upon China and China supporters. So cowardly.

Why is Taiwan a friend of a Coward (USA) ? It makes Taiwan a COWARD-want-to-be.

[peak008]

Chen can say what ever he wants to say, however, it does not mean it is true , i mean, thorough all the events / dramas all aroud Taiwan in the last few years, is he and his family honest? With people like that leading Taiwan ....well, not that he'll be in office for too long now.The KMT will quash the independence movements.

[Red Fox Ace]

Why is Taiwan a friend of a Coward (USA) ? It makes Taiwan a COWARD-want-to-be.

So what are you suggesting, that Taiwan reunify with China, who has attacked smaller nations like Vietnam?

[moviez]

So what are you suggesting, that Taiwan reunify with China, who has attacked smaller nations like Vietnam?

China attacked Vietnam because Vietnam attacked Cambodia (China's ally back then).

[heosuabi]

Taiwan should be returned to the natives.

All chinese should go back to China.


Taiwan is not part of China.

[Bulldogg]

So what are you suggesting, that Taiwan reunify with China, who has attacked smaller nations like Vietnam?

Just about every nation has attacked other nations, but these days its much more on a smaller scale and lesser scale. Vietnam has also attacked China at 1 time long ago, not many people know about this which amazes me since everybody knows about the Vietnam war because everything the U.S.A does is world wide known.

I sincerely hope a reunification on a permanent basis will happen, and this has nothing do to with anything else. Even if i wasnt of Chinese or Oriental/Asian descent to me the way its portrayed to the world is that Taiwan has alot going against their will due to the nature that, Taiwans culture is the exact same as Mainland China's right now from food, language to culture etc...

That's what Taiwan has going against them, if somehow Taiwan was able to wave a magic wand in the next hour and change their language and some customs related to China than i would to say " hey Taiwan deserves to be independent". If Vietnam is able to transform their writing which was once modeled after China's, why can't Taiwan? The Koream and Japanese character system is also modeled after China, however they both speak a different mother tongue so they both deserve to be on their own.

Is Taiwan too lazy to come up with their own characters and language?

This post has been edited by Bulldogg: Aug 26 2007, 05:33 PM

[yackyat77]

moviz,
Canada, USA, England, Austerlia, New Zealand all use English written and spoken. Therefore, all these countries should be unified.
For the record, Japanese written and spoken language uses 60 percent chinese characters, and have the same meaning too. For example , the word "shin" means new, and the words "tue sho quan"means library in both chinese and japanese language. If you say the japanese words slowly, 60 percent of japanese sounds like cantonese, and has the same meaning too.
yes, scary isn't it?!! japanese and chinese are so closely related. Fact is, japan wanted to unify with china in WWII. What is the matter?! Don't you chinese like being unifed with japan?? I thought unification is chinese people's favorite word!! Japan has build many factories in china, and japanese will teach you chinese how to be polite and bow. Japan will protect chinese from the evil white men. Therefore, you china should be very happy to unify with Japan.

As for Taiwan, It is the mainland china who is copying Taiwan's culture. There are many TV, movie producers from Taiwan and Hong kong who went to china to open up entertainment companies. All the modern fashion and clothing in china are all copies from Taiwan and Hong kong.
So, get your facts straight. mainland china don't have any culture. Your communist made everyone wear green and burn all the history books, and re wrote all the history in china. It is so pathetically funny that mainland china complains that japan re wrote history books.
Your CCP in beijing has re written more history than the japanese ever could.