ELECTION 2024/DPP, KMT candidates reject independence, pro-China labels at debate

Taipei, Dec. 30 (CNA) Taiwan's three presidential candidates pledged to uphold the status quo during a debate on Saturday, which saw the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and his Kuomintang (KMT) rival Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) address their respective independence and pro-China labels.

"I will work, with dignity and modesty, to maintain the status quo [in the Taiwan Strait] and protect Taiwan," said Lai, the incumbent vice president, at the televised event, reiterating his pledge to continue President Tsai Ing-wen's (蔡英文) policies toward Beijing and Washington.

The DPP candidate vowed to "strengthen national defense, boost the economy, and stand shoulder to shoulder with the democratic camp" but at the same time remain open to engaging in dialogue and cooperation with China provided that both sides speak as equals.

Tsai's approach "puts Taiwan at the core" and emphasizes collaborations with democracies based on shared values, said Lai, who went on to accuse his KMT opponent of adopting a "pro-China" policy and thus relegating the party to be a "vassal of authoritarianism."

Lai was also challenged again on his previous descriptions of himself as a "pragmatic worker for Taiwanese independence," most recently in 2017 when he was serving as Taiwan's premier.

He has toned down his rhetoric since 2020, however, when he took over as vice president, proclaiming that "Taiwan is already an independent sovereign country."

Still, his earlier description of himself has triggered close scrutiny of his positions on China by his opponents at home and observers overseas since entering the presidential race in April.

"Taiwanese independence" expresses the idea that "the sovereignty of Taiwan remains independent and belongs to the [nation's] 23 million people, and that the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to one another," Lai said.

"I am a pragmatic worker," Lai said, without adding "for Taiwan independence," and "my purpose...is to safeguard Taiwan, build up the country, develop the economy, and strive for the benefits of people."

Hou, on the other hand, questioned Tsai's cross-Taiwan Strait policy, which Lai has pledged to continue, suggesting it had cost Taiwan nine diplomatic allies to China since the DPP took power in 2016.

The KMT candidate and New Taipei mayor reproached the DPP government for the cut-off of communications and exchanges between Taipei and Beijing, and for China's intensified military activities, notably frequent sorties, in the vicinity of Taiwan.

The government has exposed Taiwan to greater risk of war, Hou said, arguing that if Tsai's policy were effective, there would be no need for the international community to be concerned about the security of the Taiwan Strait.

Hou also fought back at criticism of his party's handling of the China issue, saying the KMT had taken a "centrist" position in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of China and legislation governing the people across the Taiwan Strait, including the endorsement of "the 1992 consensus."

"The Constitution of the Republic of China shall forever be engraved in my heart," Hou said, stressing his opposition to Taiwanese independence and the "one country, two systems" political formula proposed by Beijing.

The "consensus" was a tacit understanding reached in 1992 between the then-Kuomintang (KMT) government in Taiwan and Beijing.

It has been consistently interpreted by the KMT as an acknowledgment by both sides that there is only "one China," with each side free to interpret what "China" means, although Beijing has never publicly recognized the second part of the KMT's interpretation.

The KMT candidate, however, did not respond to a question raised by a media representative about whether he would openly object to having Taiwan unified with China.

Instead, he vowed to adhere to Taiwan's democratic and free way of life and said the future of Taiwan should be determined by the nation's people.

Hou's running mate Jaw Shau-kong (趙少康) told local media earlier this week that he would not talk with China about unification if elected, given "the substantial differences in [political] institutions between the two sides."

The third contender, Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), also promised to maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, saying it was "the only option" for Taiwan.

"Taiwan is currently not in a position for either unification or independence," the TPP candidate and chairman said, citing opinion polls in Taiwan as saying that as much as 90 percent of the population preferred the status quo.

While agreeing with the current administration's foreign policy, Ko said Tsai's cross-strait policy had been "terrible" and led to "general concerns" among the Taiwanese over whether such status quo would continue.

"I will ensure that the people of Taiwan [continue to] enjoy a democratic and free political system and way of life," the former Taipei mayor said, noting that he would strive to promote Taiwan's autonomy, cross-strait peace, and partnerships with democratic countries.

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