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Published: September 14, 2006
Excerpts of a Transcript of a Videoconference Question and Answer Session with UN Journalists
President Chen: Thank you very much indeed, ambassadors and scholars, for your comments and observations. As we all know, the spirit of and most important principles in the UN Charter are those of equal participation and universality of membership. Taiwan fulfills all the conditions required for UN membership as stipulated in the UN Charter. Taiwan is an independent, sovereign, and peace-loving country. More importantly, Taiwan is willing and able to fulfill all of the obligations stated in the UN Charter. The voice of the 23 million people of Taiwan should not go unheard but, rather, should be heeded and taken notice of by the international community. More importantly, the people of Taiwan should not be deprived of their collective human rights.
Yesterday, at the General Committee of the UN General Assembly, the two proposals - the participation proposal and the peace proposal - were not granted an opportunity to be put to substantive discussion or debate. They were simply dealt with as part of procedure. We deeply regret that they were not dealt with in conformity with the relevant official UN meeting rules. We are very grateful for Ambassador Sevilla's words of encouragement. He mentioned, in particular, that we should consider fine-tuning our strategy or even come up with a new strategy for promoting Taiwan's participation in the United Nations. [On this issue,] I would like to solicit more comments and opinions from you all.
We very much appreciate our allies' long-term support of Taiwan's bid to join the UN and their efforts to speak on our behalf year after year. Even though we have knocked at the UN's door for the past 14 years without success, our allies have continued their staunch support of our endeavor. [Your efforts have] earned our respect and touched us deeply.
I was very honored to participate in the first Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit, which took place on September 4. I was also very lucky to have won the fishing derby also held then. I don't think this victory came because I am a good fisherman. I think it was because I was lucky enough to be on the same team as Palau's President Remengesau. I guess Palauan fish recognized him, and that's why we caught more.
During the summit we set down the Palau Declaration, the content of which truly resonates with the [purpose of the] Pacific Islands Forum as well as the Pacific Plan. We think we should uphold the spirit of the 2004 Pacific Islands Forum and of the Pacific Plan. Taiwan has the responsibility and obligation to strengthen its substantive relationship with its Pacific allies. It needs to enhance and strengthen the democratic alliance of oceanic nations and establish a comprehensive partnership with its friends in the Pacific. Even though Taiwan is not a formal member of the United Nations, it is still willing to carry out its responsibilities and fulfill its obligations as a member of the global community. Even though all of Taiwan's Pacific allies are small nations, they are our partners and our equals. Taiwan is willing to share with them both the experiences it has accumulated during its long road of development and its success stories.
We cannot help but wonder, when our allies in the Pacific - Palau, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and Tuvalu, among others - are all formal members of the United Nations, why the 23 million people of Taiwan are kept standing outside the UN's door? We completely agree with Ambassador Beck's earlier statement emphasizing that conflicts should be resolved through peaceful dialogue. We believe the disputes and conflicts existing between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait can only be resolved through peaceful dialogue, and only by doing so will [the process] be beneficial to human society as a whole.
In the beginning of July of this year when North Korea test-fired several missiles into the Sea of Japan, it shocked the international society, and the UN Security Council even proposed a draft resolution to impose sanctions against North Korea.
Ten years ago, when Taiwan held its first-ever direct presidential election, the Chinese government test-fired two waves of missiles aimed at Taiwan, with the nearest missile landing just 55 kilometers off Taiwan's coast.
In the past ten years, China has not once renounced its intent or its notion to use force against Taiwan. What's more, last year it went a step further by passing the so-called anti-secession law in an attempt to create a legal basis for a future military invasion of Taiwan. This greatly concerns and worries us, as the crisis in the Taiwan Strait is no less significant than that on the Korean Peninsula.
It was to our great regret that our peace proposal this year was not given proper attention and consideration by the international society, especially the members of the UN.
I would like to thank Professor Tkacik for sharing with us the story of the 1971 expulsion of Chiang Kai-shek's government from the United Nations.
The expulsion of Chiang Kai-shek's government from the United Nations should not mean that the 23 million people of Taiwan are made to suffer continued exclusion from that world body.
The reason why Chiang's government was expelled was mainly because it was fighting over the representation of "one China" with the People's Republic of China.
Yes, indeed, there exists the "one-China" issue and yes, indeed, there is only one China in the world. That is the People's Republic of China. And we here in Taiwan have no intention and will never try to fight to represent that "one China."
So, we feel, just let the People's Republic of China represent that one China in the world. And let the PRC represent the 1.3 billion people of China. But China cannot represent the 23 million people of Taiwan. Only the duly elected government of Taiwan has that right, and only the legally elected government of Taiwan has the right to represent those 23 million people and exercise their right to participate in the United Nations.
I also agree with Professor Tkacik's comments in that we need to first convince our own people regarding the issue of Taiwan's participation in the UN.
Although within Taiwan there exists a serious division regarding the issue of national identity, about 79 percent of the people of Taiwan are in favor of using the name Taiwan to apply for membership in the United Nations. We can say that such a consensus already transcends ideology and the dispute over unification versus independence. Such a consensus is rarely seen in Taiwan.
Even though strong divisions exist over national identity in Taiwan, most of Taiwan's people could never accept the scenario in which Taiwan becomes a second Hong Kong, nor could they accept the "one country, two systems" formula. They will not allow Taiwan to be belittled as a province or a special administrative region under the jurisdiction of China. Taiwan is a sovereign nation.
Finally, I would like to thank Professor Chow for his remarks. Indeed, the distance between the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York and the United Nations headquarters is very short, but after 14 years of effort, our desires have still met with frustration. It took us 12 years to become the 144th member of the World Trade Organization. And we have tried for 12 years to become an observer to the World Health Assembly, but our hope has yet to be realized. Although we have spent 14 years trying to gain entry to the United Nations without success, we will never give up. We will persevere in our efforts, because they are for a just cause.
We agree that collective human rights are a universal value. We also agree with Professor Chow that the United Nations should act like a dove of peace instead of an ostrich. Taiwan is unquestionably a peacemaker, and is not a troublemaker. We will continue to apply to become a member of the UN family so that Taiwan can make a greater contribution to world peace. Thank you.
President Chen's responses to questions raised by the media:
Ian Williams, The Nation; Asia Times: I was impressed with what you said about Taiwan being very reasonable and moderate in its demands. In a recent TV interview with Ambassador Hsia, I quoted the old English saying that the squeaky wheel gets the oil. And I think there is a distinct sound of a squeak by coming in under the name of Taiwan. I was wondering just how squeaky you think the PRC would find this. Will they see this as a sort of act or declaration of the independence, which they keep threatening about. But following on from that and from what Ambassador Beck was talking about, many of the General Assembly members [that are] ex-colonies stick very firmly by the principle of the sacredness of the colonial boundaries and the right to self-determination. And I was wondering if your next resolution may possibly invoke those principles so that 150 members of the UN are faced with denying their own existence or joining you. But finally, I mean to make it really squeaky, several people have mentioned North Korea and Iran and I don't think it seems that the current trend in world politics, if you want to be really squeaky, is to start up a nuclear reactor and start bubbling up refined uranium. Has Taiwan actually considered this? I am not advocating it. I am asking because, you know, if there's one place where you might say 800 missiles facing you, you might have some excuse. Has Taiwan considered the nuclear option or even considered rattling the can with the nuclear option to try to get that type of attention? Thank you, President.
President Chen: It is very clear that China will react, and we are very clear as to how China will react, to Taiwan's attempt to join the UN - it will definitely obstruct our participation. It will be just like Taiwan's application to gain observership to the World Health Assembly. Although we have applied as a health entity instead of using the name "Taiwan" or "Republic of China," our national moniker, for formal membership in the World Health Organization, we have still not been granted observership after ten years of efforts because of China's obstruction and hindrance. So some have been examining whether it is appropriate for Taiwan to apply, in terms of its handling, preparations, and methods, for observership to the WHA. Were Taiwan to directly apply to become a formal member in the WHO, perhaps this would be more effective than applying, as a health entity, for WHA observership.
As for our UN bids in the past 14 years, we have spent much time discussing General Assembly Resolution 2758. Is this the best approach? Fourteen years of effort have called this approach into question, and it is worth discussing. So we must seriously reconsider whether to adopt other strategies.
Therefore, instead of using the old thinking of returning to the United Nations, we are now considering applying as a new member. I just cited an opinion poll in Taiwan indicating that 79 percent-almost 80 percent-of people of Taiwan are in favor of applying for UN membership under the name Taiwan. This has led to the idea that, in order to demonstrate the will and resolve of the people and government of Taiwan to join the United Nations under the name Taiwan, we may consider holding a referendum on this issue in order to show our strong determination and to make the international community hear the truest voice of the Taiwan's 23 million citizens.
The 23 million people of Taiwan are very clear about their situation in the international arena. Although it may be true that "the child who throws a tantrum gets candy" (the equivalent of "the squeaky wheel gets the oil"), we most certainly will not resort to the development of nuclear weapons in order to get international attention. As Taiwan is by no means like North Korea, we still believe that democracy is our best TMD [theater missile defense]. It is impossible that Taiwan would ever possess or develop nuclear weapons. The 23 million people of Taiwan are definitely peace lovers and peacemakers. Were Taiwan to develop nuclear weaponry to get the international community's attention, it would not be qualified to become a member of the great UN family.
Kenji Bando, Mainichi Shinbun (Daily News) (speaking in Mandarin): Hello, President Chen. I am the New York bureau chief of the Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shinbun (Daily News). As a neighbor of Taiwan, Japan is very concerned about peace in the Taiwan Strait, and, of course, the Japan-US security pact also has a bearing on the Taiwan Strait. Prime Minister Koizumi will soon leave office, and Japan will have a new prime minister. I would like to ask you, Mr. President, what expectations do you have regarding the future Japanese government's stance on peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait?
President Chen: We are very grateful that Taiwan and Japan have bonded as partners on security and become allies on [promoting] universal values [those of democracy, freedom, human rights, and peace]. Last year at the "two-plus-two" meeting, the Japan-US Security Consultative Committee, the issue of [peace in the] Taiwan [Strait] was, for the first time, included as a common strategic objective. [The two nations' list of] common strategic objectives specifically mentions that conflicts and differences in the Taiwan Strait must be resolved through peaceful dialogue.
It is said that this was due to the Japanese government's insistence. The Japanese government shows great concern for peace, security, and stability in the Taiwan Strait. For this, the 23 million people of Taiwan are very admiring and appreciative.
Last year in March when China passed the so-called anti-secession law, Japan joined the United States in expressing grave concern over the issue. The Japanese government also joined the United States in voicing opposition to the proposals of some EU countries regarding the lifting of the arms embargo against China. Although Prime Minister Koizumi will leave office very soon, on behalf of the 23 million people and government of Taiwan, I would like to take this opportunity to express to him our deepest gratitude and respect for his staunch support of Taiwan as well as his efforts and contributions to the maintenance of peace and security across the Taiwan Strait.
I believe that Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe will make a very good successor to Prime Minister Koizumi. We would be glad to see him become the new prime minister of Japan, and we believe this would be of common benefit to the peoples of Taiwan and Japan.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe has had very good interactions with Taiwan during the past few years. I personally have had the opportunity to exchange opinions with him on several occasions. I have much confidence in him, and I am sure he will continue to strive to improve the substantive and friendly relations between Taiwan and Japan.
The military expansion and modernization of China and the missiles it has deployed on its southeastern coast pose a great threat not only to Taiwan, but also to countries in the entire Asia-Pacific region, including Japan. The maintenance of peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region, and especially in the Taiwan Strait, is not solely the obligation and responsibility of Taiwan. It is an issue that concerns the common interests of Japan, the United States, and Taiwan. In the absence of formal diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Japan, in the realm of maintaining peace, security, and stability across the Taiwan Strait, Japan and Taiwan can surely form an excellent quasi-security-alliance relationship.
Ira Stoll, The New York Sun: Mr. President, the scandals and corruption and failures of the UN are so vast that increasing numbers of the Americans think the United States should leave the UN-perhaps to be more like Taiwan, a free, democratic, economically successful country that's not a member of the UN. Why are you so determined for Taiwan to join an organization that's so flawed and troubled?
President Chen: I'm sure the United States will not leave the United Nations. [Laughter from New York participants.] And I'm sure the 23 million people of Taiwan will not be discouraged from becoming a member of the United Nations just because it has problems.
Becoming a member in the United Nations is not only the right of the 23 million people of Taiwan, but also our obligation. I not only believe that the United States will not leave the United Nations, but call on the United States, based on its founding principles, to show concern for and support Taiwan's efforts to become a formal member state in the United Nations just like the United States.
Taiwan's not being a member of the United Nations has greatly impeded its ability to participate in organizations such as the World Health Organization. I believe that health and human rights are things that people must not be deprived of or restrained from enjoying. Especially in view of the SARS epidemic in the past or the bird flu problem at present, Taiwan most certainly should not remain the only hole in the global disease prevention network.
The fact that Taiwan has been unable to obtain UN membership also means that the rights of our fishermen are greatly jeopardized, as Taiwan is not able to sign the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Similarly, Taiwan's exclusion from the UN means that we are unable to register the many world-class heritage sites in Taiwan with the UN. This is a great loss of cultural and natural heritage for the world and also extremely unfair to the people of Taiwan.
John Batchelor, former ABC Radio program host: Mr. President. Good evening to you. I was very lucky to attend your re-election in 2004 and I note your luck continues with fishing. I ask about the lucky president and the lucky Taiwan: We have a saying in America: "All politics is local." What's in it for the United States of America - for the people of the United States of America - for Taiwan to become the 193rd member of the General Assembly of the United Nations. In other words, what's in it for us? Thank you.
President Chen: I am sure that the people of the United States of America will be very happy that, not only do they themselves enjoy the universal values of democracy, freedom, human rights, and peace, but that such values are also shared by the 23 million people of Taiwan.
Also, it is widely known that Taiwan is the United States' eighth largest trading partner. Last year, the total trade volume between our two countries exceeded US$56 billion, with US exports to Taiwan accounting for US$22 billion. Despite such close economic ties, however, we have been unable to sign a free trade agreement.
Many countries in the world do not have as close of an economic and trade relationship with the United States as Taiwan does. Yet many of these nations have signed or are in the process of signing FTAs with the United States. Why has Taiwan been ignored and treated differently? The main reason is that Taiwan is not a member of the UN. Here, I would like to emphasize that the United States, as the leader of the community of democracies, can bring to its dealings with all members of that community a spirit of equality and not double standards. Of course, if Taiwan were to become a member of the United Nations, the United States would have to reexamine its "one-China" policy and the situation would become less contradictory than it is at present.
Tuyet Nguyen, German Press Agency (dpa): You announced some kind of other strategies and alternatives to the way your country has been trying to enter the UN. I understand the difficulties, believe me. But, I wonder, on the other side of that, you have to look at yourself, what you are doing also, whether you deserve the place at the UN. When you won the presidency in the year 2000, there were 29 countries having diplomatic relations with your government. That number has gone down to 24 now, if I am not wrong. Your support from the Taiwanese people has gone down tremendously in the last six years. And the economy of Taiwan is not doing that well anymore. So, why do you want to change strategy now when you still have only two more years to finish your presidency? And the other question is: Do you still have the leadership to lead the Taiwanese people for a better future and a place in international organizations? That leadership is extremely important to lead any big strategy or any big plan which may look very good on paper but very difficult to carry out unless you have the political leadership. Thank you.
President Chen: Thank you very much for your question. I believe that the strong will of the 23 million people of Taiwan is most important and, as I have emphasized many times before, nearly 80 percent of Taiwan's people support proposals to apply for UN membership under the name of Taiwan. Taiwan is a democratic country and a pluralistic society with great divergence of opinion over the issue of national identity. To be able to have 80 percent of the population agree on this issue is therefore no small feat. As leader of this country, I must listen to the voices of the people. I must value and comply with public opinion and promote Taiwan's application for UN membership under the name of Taiwan.
And yes, as you quite rightly pointed out just now, it is an extremely difficult thing to achieve - you could even call it "mission impossible." However, as long as it is the right thing to do, then we must persevere. And, as long as we persevere and keep bravely moving forward then, one day, we will succeed.
The reason that Taiwan has been unable to become a member of the UN in the past is because of the so-called one-China policy. Likewise, the reason that Taiwan has been unable to establish formal diplomatic relations with more countries also comes down to the problem of the "one-China" policy.
Therefore, as far as the current government is concerned, the "one China" assertion has to be abandoned. We believe that it is now necessary to apply for UN membership under the name of Taiwan. And were we able to enter the UN fold, I am certain that there would not simply be twenty or so countries having formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but more than one hundred. This year marks the 35th anniversary of Taiwan's withdrawal from the United Nations, and it seems as though many people have already forgotten just how and why we left. Since we cannot return to the United Nations using the title of the Republic of China, we have no alternative but to apply directly for UN membership under a new name - Taiwan.
Although my presidency will be ending in less than two years, we still hope to take that first step. It is also my own hope to be able to continue to strive for UN membership with the 23 million people of Taiwan, even when I am no longer president.
Thank you all for your comments and observations and for participating in this videoconference.
Should discrepancies exist, the Chinese version takes precedence.
Due to the variable quality of transmission, some of the questions were not clearly audible.
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