EDITORIAL: Imperfect cross-strait relations plan

Tue, Jun 03, 2014 - Page 8

The seven senior politicians and academics who make up a self-proclaimed bi-partisan group recently introduced the “broad one China framework,” a one-night sensation that drew attention, but was soon forgotten.

Led by former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairman Shih Ming-te (施明德), the group included former DPP minister Chen Ming-tung (陳明通), and former National Security Council secretary-general Su Chi (蘇起) of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT).

Tamkang University professor Andy Chang (張五岳), former DPP legislator Hong Chi-chang (洪奇昌) and a pair of former KMT administration officials, Cheng Chien-jen (程建人) and Chiao Jen-ho (焦仁和), were also in the group.

Taiwan ‘need not’ choose sides on zone

QUESTION OF APPROACH:：A former US State Department official said the key issue about the zone is governments in the region approaching disputes through dialogue
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter
Thu, Dec 05, 2013 - Page 3

Taiwan’s handling of Beijing’s demarcation of an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) is not a matter of choosing between the US-Japan alliance and China, and President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration’s call for resolving the dispute through dialogue is welcome, former US deputy secretary of state James Steinberg said yesterday.

“It is a question of all the governments in the region trying to reach and approach their disputes with dialogues and discussions” despite differences of opinion about sovereignty and territory, Steinberg said in response to a media inquiry.

DPP touts starting regional alliance to boost democracy

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Academics and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday advocated the establishment of a democratic alliance, based on participants’ firm belief in democracy, to advance human rights and freedom, and to combat the global phenomenon of a retreating democratic movement.

DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌), who initiated the campaign on a visit to Japan in February, told a forum organized by the DPP at its headquarters in Taipei yesterday that the value-based alliance would seek to consolidate East Asian democratic countries in particular.

China must prove its good faith to maintain peace: Su

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Only by good intentions and determination to maintain peace can China win the hearts of the Taiwanese and overcome all barriers to establish peace across the Taiwan Strait, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said yesterday on Kinmen.

“The concern about military threats [from China] — not the distance — was the barrier of the cross-strait interaction,” Su said during his visit to the island, which was once a Cold War frontline island and sustained heavy bombardment during the first Taiwan Strait crisis of 1954 and 1955.

Taiwan challenges peace: DPP official

‘STRANGE REACTIONS’:The official said the Ma administration’s behavior over the Diaoyutais could only lead to speculation that it is siding with China against Japan
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration has challenged the US-Japan security pact with its actions and announcements in the recent dispute over the Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台), known as Senkaku in Japan, a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) official said yesterday.

The administration’s reactions and behavior in the most recent controversy surrounding the dispute, which saw 14 activists from Hong Kong landing on the islands and being arrested by Japanese police on Wednesday, “could only lead to reasonable speculation that it is collaborating with China to oppose Japan on the issue,” said the official, who is familiar with international affairs.

2012 ELECTIONS: Tsai, Ma present their platform at AmCham meet

CONSENSUS:：AmCham said it supported Ma’s and Tsai’s emphasis on stable cross-strait ties, trade liberalization and shift to an R&D-based economy
By Chris Wang  /  Staff Reporter
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 - Page 1

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday called for a “new strategic partnership” with the US, while President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) touted his administration’s achievements during their individual speeches at the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Taipei.

Tsai and Ma, who are both running in the Jan. 14 presidential election, were invited to present their platforms at the organization’s annual general meeting.

Tsai highlighted the importance of Taiwan-US relations, which date back six decades, and pledged that she would re-engage the US to reverse the “imbalanced” trilateral relationship between Taiwan, the US and China that has emerged under the Ma administration.

Next China leader likely to keep peaceful cross-strait ties: SEF head

Taipei, Dec. 23 (CNA) The next leader of China is likely to continue with a peaceful approach to China-Taiwan affairs, Taiwan's top cross-strait negotiator said Thursday.

Fresh off the sixth round of cross-strait negotiations, Chiang Pin-kung, Chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), told CNA in an interview that the peaceful development of cross-strait relations is obviously a vision shared by the two sides.

"Peace" is the key word in cross-strait exchanges because the two sides can only develop and prosper if peace is preserved, he said.

For example, Chiang said, some Taiwanese businessmen in recent years have opted to invest in Vietnam or Indonesia instead of the Philippines, where social order and political stability have been less than satisfactory.

Chiang said that he has not met Xi Jinping, who is scheduled to succeed Hu Jintao in 2012 as president of China, but he expects that Xi will maintain Hu's Taiwan policy.

However, Chiang acknowledged that there has been some inconsistency in China's policies toward direct cross-strait negotiations and Taiwan's international participation.

This is because China's foreign ministry "has its own way of thinking," he said.

Several cases in the past were indicative of China's intolerance regarding Taiwan's participation in the international community, he said.

China's attitude on this issue could affect bilateral relations and the Taiwan people's impression of China since "almost all these cases made headlines in the Taiwanese newspapers," Chiang said.

Taiwan had often reminded the Chinese government that Beijing's foreign embassies "are still acting in the same way," he said.

On Tuesday, Chiang and his Chinese counterpart Chen Yunlin, President of the Association of Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), signed a medical and health-care cooperation agreement, the 15th pact between the two sides since President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May 2008 and began advocating cross-strait detente.

According to Chiang, cross-strait talks have entered a phase of "substance over style, " which he said means the content of the negotiations is more important than the process. In the future, the talks are likely to be more difficult, he said.

Meanwhile, he said, the SEF will focus on the implementation of the existing agreements and will advocate continued and wide bilateral exchanges.

For instance, Taiwan should be more confident and open its doors wider to Chinese students, he said.

With its proud democracy, Taiwan will be able to "make them pro-Taiwan, " he said. "The more China and the people of China understand Taiwan, the more they will respect us for our democracy, hospitality, courtesy, vibrant culture and way of life."

Chiang lauded the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP's) move to establish a think tank that will formulate its China policy over the next decade.

He said that the DPP, which was firmly anti-China in the past, had to think about this issue sooner or later. (By Chris Wang) enditem /pc

Taiwan to maintain steady course on China: president

Taipei, May 19 (CNA) Taiwan will take steady steps in dealing with China and create a period of peace and prosperity that will eventually allow people on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to work out a "lasting solution," President Ma Ying-jeou said Wednesday.

The goal of the government's cross-Taiwan Strait policy is to win time for Taiwan and China to devise a lasting solution "guided by the wisdom of the Chinese people, " Ma said at a press conference marking the second anniversary of his inauguration.

Since taking office on May 20, 2008, Ma has adopted a China policy advocating rapprochement and "flexible diplomacy, " which has eased tensions with Beijing.

The president said his administration is following a three-step diplomatic approach -- reconciliation, cooperation and peace -- and will not enter political talks with China until all necessary steps have been taken, such as economic and trade cooperation.

Taiwan will not take giant steps in cross-strait exchanges because "sometimes Taiwanese people have an inexplicable fear of China," Ma said, citing his administration's cautious opening to Chinese investment and gradual increase in direct flights between Taiwan and China as examples.

He reiterated that he has no timetable to negotiate a peace agreement with China or a plan to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao, although he would not rule out the possibility.

Questioned on his comment that signing a proposed economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) would force China to consider the removal of its missiles targeted at Taiwan, Ma said the remark was misinterpreted by the media.

According to the president, he was saying that the co-existence of those missiles and warming Taiwan-China economic ties would be "an uncomfortable scene," and would be seen that way by Japan, the U.S., and even some Chinese.

He stressed, however, that Taiwan is very much aware of China's rapidly rising military capability and the increasing imbalance in cross-strait military power, which is why Taiwan is determined to shore up its national defense by purchasing arms and give China second thoughts about launching an attack.

Ma did not answer a question on whether he favored "ultimate unification" with China, saying only that he would not raise the issue of unification in his four-year term.

He also said Taiwan still hopes to ink the ECFA with China in June and that negotiations "have been going quite smoothly." (By Chris Wang) enditem/ls

Economy high on President Ma's midterm agenda

Taipei, May 14 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou said Friday in a midterm assessment of his presidency that his efforts to reduce tensions across the Taiwan Strait have paid off and that improved Taiwan-China ties will lead to a better economic future for Taiwan.

If Taiwan can sign an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China to relax cross-strait trade regulations and reduce tariffs, and complete an industry upgrade to build an innovation-based economy, a "Golden Decade" of sustained development would be a realistic goal, he said.

He reiterated his goal of sealing the deal with China before July and said he will head a special task force to seek free trade agreements (FTAs) with major economies, especially the European Union (EU), Japan and the U.S., after the ECFA is completed.

Ma said he believes China understands the fact that Taiwan is entitled to sign FTAs with other World Trade Organization (WTO) members and would not interfere in Taiwan's attempts to do so.

The ruling Kuomintang's (KMT's) policy toward China is a part of its carefully thought out global strategy, said the president, who is also chairman of the KMT, in an interview with the Central News Agency in the run up to the May 20 midpoint of his current 4-year term.

"China is an integral part of our internationalization and globalization strategy, " but it was not part of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP's) global vision, said Ma, who has adopted an "economy first, politics second" approach in dealing with China.

"We should cherish the fact that the two sides (the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party) , which have fought each other for decades, are finally able to work on building mutual trust, " the president said.

However, Ma said, the time is not ripe for him to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao as "neither side sees any urgency for this." Furthermore, Taiwan has no plans to engage in political and military talks with China at this time, he said.

On the issue of the continued military threat from China, the president said it is an "uncomfortable picture" for him to see on one hand reduced cross-strait tensions and improved economic relations, and on the other hand, more than 1,000 Chinese missiles aimed at Taiwan.

China will face increased pressure from the international community if it does not remove the missiles, especially after the ECFA is signed, he said.

Meanwhile, Ma promised, Taiwan will not engage in an arms race with China, but will still pursue U.S. weapons procurement in order to maintain its defense capability and its confidence when dealing with China.

The U.S. is reviewing Taiwan's request to purchase submarines and F-16 C/D fighters, and consultations are in progress on a new arms procurement list that will be based on an innovative and asymmetric strategy, he added.

A strong national defense capability and economic security will give Taiwan the confidence to stride forward and to make up for "the lost eight years" of the previous administration, he said.

He pledged that the economy will be high on the agenda for the remainder of his current term, with job creation as the top priority.

He noted that the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics has upgraded its forecast for the growth of Taiwan's 2010 gross domestic product (GDP) , from 3.39 percent to 4.72. The International Monetary Fund has also raised its forecast for Taiwan's GDP growth rate to 6.5 percent, he added.

Furthermore, the forecasts by most foreign institutions are higher than domestic estimates, which is an indication that "foreigners are even more optimistic about Taiwan's economy than we are," the president said.

As part of its economic goals, the government will recruit more economic and financial experts to the Cabinet in the impending reshuffle to help Taiwan achieve "its new place on the Asian economic map," he said.

Regarding government reform, Ma said that he has no intentions to amend the Constitution during his term because the executive and legislative branches are both functioning well.

He described his working relationship with Premier Wu Den-yih as "seamless, " which he said means that "the dual executive system is functioning well." (By Chris Wang) enditem /pc

Dalai Lama's first autobiography published in Chinese after 48 years

Taipei, March 10 (CNA) Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama's first autobiography has finally been published in Chinese, 48 years after it was first released in English, the book's publisher said Wednesday.

The Dalai Lama's first autobiography, titled "My Land and My People, " was published in English in 1962, three years after his flight into exile, but it was never published in Chinese due to the sensitivity of the issue, said Chou Mei-li, president of Taiwan Friends of Tibet, an organization supporting Tibetan democracy and also the book's publisher.

The publication date of the Chinese edition was selected to coincide with the 51st anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day, Chou said, adding that the publication "is long overdue for the Mandarin-speaking community." On March 10, 1959, Tibetans took to the streets to demand that the China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) pull out from the Himalayan region, nine years after the Chinese invasion. Weeks later, the PLA launched a brutal suppression that the Dalai Lama claims killed more than 80,000 Tibetans.

In order to raise the awareness for Tibet's struggle for democracy and freedom, Taiwan Friends of Tibet was scheduled to hold a candlelight vigil Wednesday evening, as well as a March 14 rally, to commemorate the anniversary, Chou said at a book-launching press conference.

"There are only six million Tibetans. We need your help, " said Dawa Tsering, representative to Taiwan of the exiled Tibetan government.

Helping Tibetans is helping the Taiwanese, because the two countries have both been fighting for their future under the threat from China, Chou said, noting that March 14 will also mark the fifth anniversary of China's passage of an anti-secession law targeting Taiwan.

The torch of Tibet's fight for freedom will be passed down from generation to generation forever, said Tashi Tsering, chairman of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress in Taiwan, in a pre-recorded video.

"We will never forget what China has done to Tibet, " he added.

Meanwhile, the Dalai Lama said in a statement to mark the anniversary that "despite the great hardships Tibetans have faced for many decades, they have been able to keep up their courage and determination, preserve their compassionate culture and maintain their unique identity. It is inspiring that today a new generation of Tibetans continues to keep Tibet's just cause alive. I salute the courage of those Tibetans who are still enduring fear and oppression."

Eight years for 100 years of peace: KMT presidential candidate

Taipei, Jan. 16 (CNA) Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou said Wednesday that he will bring 100 years of peace and stability for the people of Taiwan if given eight years of the presidency.

In a keynote speech at an international conference on confidence-building measures, Ma reiterated his "three noes" policy on Taiwan's foreign diplomacy -- "no unification, no independence and no use of force."

He said he believes these policies will be welcomed by the people of Taiwan, the Beijing leadership and the international community.

Ma pledged that if given eight years of the presidency, he will lay down the foundations for peace and prosperity for the next 100 years.

Eight years would mean two presidential terms from 2008 to 2016.

If elected in the March 22 presidential election, Ma said, he will uplift and upgrade Taiwan's democracy for the benefit of the people and anchor Taiwan's policy on his "three noes" pledge to foster a peaceful environment.

He set forth a vision of leading Taiwan back to the pre-1995 period, when the country enjoyed high economic growth, political stability, moderate cross-Taiwan Strait relations, strong national defense and better international status than at present.

In general, his goal will be "maintaining and consolidating the status quo of the Republic of China," he said.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) , he said, has antagonized the Taiwanese people and the United States, at too high a price.

However, Ma also hinted at reconciliation with the DPP, saying that his goal for the nation "can be achieved without frustrating each other."

"Democracy is not about abusing one's power, but also about respecting those not in power, " he said, adding that he will start a process of healing and sharing because the differences between the opposition "pan-blue alliance" and the "pan-green camp" led by the DPP cannot possibly outnumber the common bonds between them.

Japanese peace advocates power of civil society

Taipei, Dec. 10 (CNA) A Japanese peace advocate Monday encouraged Taiwanese youth to have the courage to take risks and try to build a peaceful and sustainable Taiwan through their energy and innovative efforts.

The power of civil society in the post-Cold War era has a proven, international track record of making a difference, said Tastuya Yoshioka, Founder and Director of Peace Boat -- a Japan-based non-government organization (NGO) which advocates peace, human rights, sustainable development and environmental protection.

In Japan, young people are taught that risk-taking is wrong, but as we face the ongoing threats such as militarism, nuclear weapons, climate change and global epidemics, all global citizens should step up and do something, he said.

The United Nations framework is important to solving global issues, but it's neither perfect nor able to do it alone. Unfortunately, given the fact that security council member states all make money from wars, world peace is paid little more than lip service, he told more than 100 National Taiwan University students in a lecture.

That's why civil societies can and should come in and make impacts, said Yoshioka, who founded Peace Boat in 1983 as a university student.

Human security, rather than national security, is one of the most important concepts of a civil society, he said, adding that the key is protecting the human being, not the politicians, companies or states.

Yoshioka, 46, established the organization at a time when the issue of Japan's revisionist history high school textbooks was first becoming controversial. He was shocked that neighboring countries in Asia were protesting about the content of the textbooks.

Peace Boat visited Taiwan on its third voyage in 1986 for a meeting with Taiwanese democracy activists. As Taiwan was still under an authoritarian regime, the boat was seized, searched and detained. It is because of that experience that Taiwan has always held a very special place in his heart, Yoshioka said.

Commenting on the cross-Straight issue, Yoshioka said in a media interview Sunday that something along the lines of the European Union format would be an option.

"People can't forget the terrible past, but at the same time they can start reconcile, " he said.

For the past 24 years, Peace Boat has sailed on nearly 60 voyages and visited more than 100 countries, including conflict zones such as Eritrea, Cuba, Sierra Leone and the Balkans.

Peace the most important aspect of German unification: academia

Taipei, Oct. 4 (CNA) The most important aspect that the experience of German unification might offer Taiwan is that there was not a single incident of bloodshed, a visiting German professor said Thursday in Taipei.

"There was not a drop of blood shed during the process of German unification. I think it's the most important part of the experience," said Rudolph Wagner, a professor at Germany's Heidelberg University and one of the most respected sinologists in Europe, during a roundtable with press.

Wagner is scheduled to deliver a speech, titled "German Unification: Popular Culture, Maoist Students, and the Socialist Disneyland, " Saturday in an international lecture series organized by Lung Yingtai Cultural Foundation.

The background to and process of German unification was unique, as is the Taiwan Strait issue, which is why the experience cannot be duplicated, he said, adding that it's not suitable to compare these two cases.

Most West German citizens neither talked about unification, nor saw it coming six weeks before the 1989 unification. In fact, it was East German citizens who pushed for unification. And the German unification essentially defied post-Cold War common sense, which postulated that continued separation, rather than unification, was more likely he pointed out.

Wagner described German unification as an "accident" of history amid the unpredictable and rapid changing international situation of the late 1980s.

"Wait for the historical moment, then something will happen, " he said in a comment on the future of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

With a Ph.D. from the University of Munich, Wagner has done extensive research on Buddhism, Taoist philosophy, and contemporary Chinese politics and the media. In 1992, he was awarded the Leibniz Prize, Europe's most prestigious prize in the humanities.

Peace to top agenda in China: former adviser to president

Taipei, Sept. 22 (CNA) Koo Kuan-min, former senior adviser to the president and a Taiwan independence advocate, said Saturday he envisions a policy shift on the Taiwan issue in China because peace will be at the top of China's national agenda over the next 15-20 years.

Koo, 81, also talked about Taiwan's relations with Japan and the United States in a speech delivered here, during which he talked about the characteristics of past and current political leaders in Taiwan.

China owes its current economic development to Taiwanese businessmen, who were the first ones to invest in China following the Tiananmen Square incident in 1989, Koo said. If China wants to transform itself into a superpower, it will need peace over the next 15-20 years to maintain its current economic boom, he added.

Koo claimed that any Chinese military action against Taiwan would scare away foreign investors which China desperately needs to maintain its economic growth. That is why China should not and will not attack Taiwan, he said.

He also said that the United States should actively make military deployments in Taiwan because of the island's strategic importance, pointing out that there are 100,000 U.S. troops deployed in various Asian countries, including Japan and South Korea.

Koo further said that communicating with the United States over the years has left him frustrated because the U.S. government refuses to abandon its "outdated" one-China policy. That is why he said he decided to appeal directly to the American people by placing advertisements explaining Taiwan's U.N. membership bid in the New York Times and the Washington Post earlier this month.

"The United States should display its determination in defending Taiwan's strategic importance, otherwise, the Taiwan Relations Act is just a piece of paper, " he stressed.

Koo, who lived in Japan from 1947-1972 as a political dissident, said Japan needs to recognize that the Taiwan issue is a part of its national security. "If Taiwan unifies with China or goes to war with it, this will definitely impact Japan's security interests in the East Asia," he said.

Civic groups call for ethnic harmony on International Day of Peace

Taipei, Sept. 21 (CNA) More than 20 civic groups and non-government organizations called Friday -- the U.N. International Day of Peace -- for ethnic harmony in Taiwan and respect and acceptance of new immigrants.

Sept. 21 is a special day for the people of Taiwan because of the massive earthquake that shook the island and took more than 2,000 lives on that day in 1999. It is also important because it is an International Day of Peace, according to Chien Hsi-chieh, chief executive officer of the Peacetime Foundation of Taiwan.

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the U.N. and calls for "a 24-hour cessation of hostilities" on Sept. 21 and for a minute of silence to be observed around the world at noon.

Representatives from various organizations focused specifically on discrimination against new immigrants and migrant workers, listing 13 common forms of verbal abuse that are groundless accusations and misconceptions, said Kathy Ke, executive officer of the Pearl S. Buck Foundation.

Foreign spouses from Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, China, the Philippines and Indonesia, have become the fifth ethnic group of Taiwan and have changed Taiwan's population landscape, Chien said, urging the people of Taiwan to accept them.

Citizens of Taiwan and the government should stop stigmatizing new immigrants, Ke said. For example, she said, the NT$410,000 financial certification required to obtain Taiwanese citizenship has kept many foreign spouses from receiving it, showing that discrimination is still rife in Taiwan.

The term "melting pot" is not a good word to describe an immigrant society like Taiwan, he said, adding that Taiwan is more like a "salad bowl" which allows every ethnic group to preserve its "true colors and flavor."

The civic groups also urged local politicians to stop mobilizing voters with ethnic issues and hatred.

Annual film festival focuses on global immigration

Taipei, Sept. 15 (CNA) An annual film festival featuring movies on peace-related subjects was launched Saturday in Taipei in the hope that the people of Taiwan can learn something about the global immigration phenomenon.

The 2007 Peace Film Festival will screen 20 movies in Taipei, Hsinchu and Taichung from Sept. 15-Oct. 19. The festival presents various viewpoints about immigration and conflicts among ethnic groups from different countries such as Taiwan, Israel, Turkey and Italy, said Chien Hsi-chieh, chief executive officer of the Peacetime Foundation of Taiwan, the festival organizer.

The closing film, The Nyonya's Taste of Life, directed by Wen Chih-yi, features the story of two female Indonesian caretakers and a Thai worker in Taiwan. Wen said she tried to tell the story from the perspective of migrant workers.

Nyonya is a Southeast Asian cuisine that mixes Taiwanese and Malaysian food ingredients, which symbolizes the co-existence of Taiwanese and new immigrants in Taiwan, Wen said.

Golden Door, the opening film, also addresses the struggle and experience of an Italian immigrant family in the United States.

"The world is experiencing the same immigration and conflicts of ethnic groups and Taiwan has a lot to learn. We have to learn how to treat new immigrants with respect and respect their basic human rights, " said well-known director Hou Hsiao-hsien.

"If Taiwan could develop a complete system or mechanism that takes care of all the new immigrants and migrant workers, it would be the best diplomacy for our government, " Hou said.

"You don't assimilate different ethnic groups or merge them into your own. You try to understand and accept different people, " Chien said.

Chien said the festival also used the theme of ethnic groups in 2002. Organizers decided to use the theme again this year because the conflicts between different ethnic groups have been heating up as the 2008 presidential election approaches.

TAIWAN'S NGOS TRY TO HELP ACHIEVE DIPLOMATIC BREAKTHROUGH

Taipei, July 24 (CNA) Taiwan's non-government organizations (NGOs) can contribute to the country's attempts to break through its diplomatic hardships amid China's oppression by participating in international and regional dialogues and organizations, NGO workers said in a seminar Tuesday.

The power of the civil society has been gaining steam in impacting the outcome of global affairs, and Taiwan's NGOs can make an impact in the country's limited diplomatic space by engaging in dialogues with NGOs all over the world on regional and global issues, said Chen Yao-hua, a professor at Soochow University and trustee of the Peacetime Foundation of Taiwan.

The Peacetime Foundation of Taiwan was among 13 civil groups and NGOs that established the Taipei Community of Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GAPPC) in 2005. GAPPC is an initiative of former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and currently has 15 regional sectors all over the world.

The Taipei Community is a member of the Northeast Asia sector, which also includes North and South Korea, Russia, China, Mongolia and Hong Kong.

During the past two years, the community has sent delegations to GAPPC regional meetings in New York, Seoul, Mongolia and North Korea. Taiwan's NGO workers discussed a wide range of regional and global issues, such as the nuclear crisis on the Korean peninsula, Japan's constitutional amendments and the cross-Taiwan Strait issue, said Hsu Szu-chien, a trustee of the foundation.

By showing Taiwan's concern about and attention to various issues in the Northeast Asia region, people in other countries will respond with support for Taiwan, Chen claimed, adding that it will be Taiwan's "alternative diplomacy."

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) official Wang Chih-fa, executive secretary of the NGO Committee, said the government recognizes the efforts made by the numerous NGOs and welcomes local NGOs' participation in international affairs.

MANY 'INCONVENIENT TRUTHS' IN TAIWAN-CHINA ISSUE: EX-U.S. OFFICIAL

Taipei, April 15 (CNA) There have been many "inconvenient truths" in the Taiwan-China issue for the international community, of which almost everyone is aware but few wish to discuss, including the status quo, a former U.S. official said Sunday.

Stephen Yates, former deputy assistant to U.S. Vice President Cheney for national security affairs from 2001 - 2005, questioned the very concept of a status quo, saying: "There is no such thing as a status quo. [The Taiwan Strait] is a dynamic region. Forces are changing."

Yates, speaking at an international seminar, said he would personally define the status quo as "defending Taiwan's democratic way of life." For many countries, though, the status quo in Taiwan Strait amounts to "Please, don't act and speak up now," he said.

Another inconvenient truth concerns China's "road of peace, " he said, echoing a question submitted by current ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairman Yu Shyi-kun in his U.S. tour: "After China's peaceful rise, will there be peace and democracy? Will other democracies in the region be at an advantage or a disadvantage?"

"Should we make East Asia safer for democracy, or make democracy safer for East Asia? " said Yates, was yet another dilemma for the international community, but the answer, for him, was obviously the latter.

Putting the reality of international politics and military aside, Taiwan should try to let the world know what it is doing in other fields, Yates said.

With Taiwan's experience in civil rights, he would be glad to see non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from Taiwan organize a series of seminars in the most important civil rights institutes around the world.

There are many fields that Taiwan can work on, such as high tech, civil rights and business, to let the international community know that it can't afford to have Taiwan absorbed by China, he stressed.

With the September 11 terrorist attack in 2001 and the current unpopular military engagement in the Middle East, it is assumed that most Americans would be hesitant to commit to another international military engagement should Taiwan face a military situation, he said.

That is why Taiwan should increase its value to the international community, Yates said.

The one-day seminar, titled "Taiwan's Rise to Democracy: Realities and Prospects", was organized by the DPP.

TAIWAN CAN PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN WAR ON TERROR: OFFICIAL

Taipei, Nov. 25 (CNA) While international terrorism is not an issue on the minds of most of Taiwan's people, Taiwan can play an important role in the "global war on terrorism, " an official said Saturday.

"Taiwan should never underestimate itself, because it can play an important role in the global war on terror, " said Kuo Lin-wu, director of Executive Yuan's Counter Terrorism Office, in a seminar on international terrorism.

Taiwan has thousands of active and competitive small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) , Kuo said. This fact, coupled with the country's top machinery manufacturing and regional distribution capabilities in the Asia Pacific region, means that Taiwan could easily be exploited by terrorists, he said.

This is why Taiwan can play a big part in the war on terrorism and in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, he noted.

And Taiwan should find its place in the global campaign because, contrary to what most Taiwan people think, Taiwan's national security is already threatened by international terrorism, which is spreading through the "globalized network, " Kuo added.

At the same time, Taiwan can learn a lot from taking part in the anti-terrorism campaign. As countries all over the world strengthen their crisis management mechanisms, Taiwan will be able to learn from others' experiences, Kuo said.

Taiwan can even explore new business opportunities in the anti-terrorism process, he said.

"Taiwan will have opportunities to leverage its technology competitiveness and get involved in various homeland security-related industries, " Kuo said.

CONSERVATIONIST JANE GOODALL: 'LITTLE THINGS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD'

Taipei, Oct. 31 (CNA) Facing the enormous challenges of global warming and poverty, keep the faith and believe every little thing can help change the world, a British conservationist urged Monday in Taipei.

"Always think about your action, how it can affect people around you, the environment, nature and animals," Jane Goodall told hundreds of students in a topical speech entitled "Change the World."

In a two-hour forum moderated by Taichung City mayor Jason Hu, Goodall discussed a wide range of topics, including poverty, global warming, Africa and world peace, with another guest speaker, Lee Chi-tung, a Tsing Hua University professor.

The current situation regarding global warming and poverty may make people frustrated sometimes, but it is never too late to take the first step, Goodall said.

"Little things like riding a bicycle to work can make a difference. As we make more money, we can make greater changes through buying products such as organic food and energy-efficient cars," she said.

"We cannot just hope for the government and politicians to make changes. It's all up to us," she urged.

"Every single one of us can make a difference every single day," she said.

Goodall, a 72-year-old primatologist best known for decades of pioneering research on chimpanzees in Africa, has not forgotten her "babies."

"We are not the only beings with personalities and feelings. We share 99 percent of our DNA with chimpanzees," she said, adding that after years of research she came to realize that humans have to help themselves first, before saving chimpanzees.

Goodall is on her tenth visit to Taiwan to promote conservation awareness and the Roots and Shoots program, an educational program she established around the world in schools at all levels.

The forum was organized by Rotary International District 3520.