Taiwan's people will decide their own future: President Chen

This article was written by Shih Ying-ying and published by the Taiwan Journal on March 10, 2006. It reports that in a recent interview with the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, President Chen Shui-bian stressed that it is up to the people of Taiwan to determine their own future.

According to President Chen, only the 23 million people in Taiwan can decide on the nation's future. The status quo in Taiwan, which is characterized by democracy, freedom and human rights, must not be unilaterally changed. Peace in the Taiwan Strait is an interest that Taiwan shares with Japan and the United States.

China enacted the so-called "anti-secession law" in March 2005 to legitimize its use of military force against Taiwan if the island chooses to move toward "formal independence". Meanwhile, the number of Chinese missiles aimed at Taiwan has quadrupled to 784 since 2000. That number is still growing by additional 100-120 every year.

According to President Chen, his administration does not exclude any possibility in the evolution of cross-strait relations, as long as the final decision is based on democratic principles and the free will of the 23 million Taiwanese people is respected. Taiwan is also willing to begin negotiations with China, as long as Taiwan is not marginalized or belittled in these talks and the talks are conducted under the principles of reciprocity and peace.