DPP debates its mainland policy

By Xie Yu (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-08-04 09:02

Taiwan's biggest opposition party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has launched its first discussion about its mainland policy, contrasting its long-standing stance of banning any contact with the mainland.

The Taipei-based United Daily reported Monday the pro-independence DPP held a special meeting to discuss the party's mainland policy.

DPP chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen reportedly said that as the mainland has been frequently inviting DPP members to visit the mainland, the party should thoroughly discuss how to respond and "face the problem directly". She was quoted as saying that the DPP will keep its mainland policy distinct from that of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT).

The DPP move came just days after it expelled two founding members, Hsu Jung-shu and Fan Cheng-tsung, for attending a cross-Straits forum on the mainland. The punishment has ignited great debate inside the party and led to media criticism on the DPP's inconsistency in dealing with mainland affairs.

Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou, elected KMT chairman last Sunday, said on Wednesday the DPP should rethink its mainland policy, or it "will be trapped inside its fort."

Wu Nengyuan, director of the Institute of Taiwan Studies at the Fujian Academy of Social Sciences, said the DPP's discussion about its mainland policy is just aimed at the upcoming elections of mayors and county magistrates.

"It is clear that there is a strong voice inside the DPP demanding the party adjust its mainland policy, especially after Fan and Hsu were expelled," he told China Daily.

Most Taiwan people now want peace and cooperation across the Taiwan Straits, especially residents in big cities who benefit from booming tourism revenue brought by mainland travelers and mainland investment.

"If the DPP fails to come up with a proper mainland policy, it can hardly win supporters," Wu said. But the researcher expected the DPP to make no "drastic adjustment" to its current mainland policy.

One main reason is that the pro-independence fraction, which still holds the major power in the DPP, will insist on its anti-mainland policy, Wu said.

"I think the current discussion will only bring small changes in wording, instead of a breakthrough in the DPP's mainland policy," he said.

Tsai and her party have been severely opposing direct contact and cooperation with the mainland. But some DPP members, including former party chairman Hsu Hsin-liang, and Kaosiung mayor Chen Chu, have visited the mainland.