Why I Am Joining the Presidential Race
Taiwan is my home country and motherland, a beautiful island also known as Formosa. Just as a pearl found from the ocean goes through a process to become a precious, sought-after entity - Taiwan was created, cultivated, and developed from a simple island to a place with its own government, and citizens with sovereign rights.
The Taiwanese people’s history is marked with painful struggles, filled with tears and stained with blood. For as long as one can remember, a strong divide has existed amongst the people, sadly becoming one of the country’s most defining characteristics, and greatly hindering much of its development and potential. Furthermore, despite Taiwan’s current population of over 23 million, we have yet to break down the barriers that are keeping us from being a part of the United Nations. This situation in Taiwan is very rare, and as more and more Taiwanese people hold dual citizenships, one has to wonder if they have truly lost confidence in Taiwan’s future.
In this election, those that take the stand for Taiwan to unite with China are not taking decisive actions to become actual citizens of the People’s Republic of China. Similarly, those that advocate for Taiwan independence have the opportunity to build an independent country through peaceful revolution, but their much-needed solidarity is lost in the mix of ruling parties and electoral campaigns. As for the rest, they choose to remain silent as they escape the harsh reality of Taiwan’s current situation, holding on to an unrealistic belief that China’s Communist rule will somehow, someday, undergo a democratic reform.
In the last half century, apart from focusing on taking control of Taiwan, Communist China has not taken any steps to understand the needs of the Taiwanese people. And since when did the Taiwanese pay taxes to, or pledge their allegiance, to the People’s Republic of China? Let us not forget the “823 Artillery Battle,” in which China attacked Kinmen and Matzu on August 23rd, 1958, leaving 440 Taiwanese soldiers dead or missing. Enmity can fade into a distant memory, but we should never forget or take for granted the lessons we learn from our own history. In our vast and glorious world, China is but Taiwan’s neighbor and not a part of our country; we can treat China as our friend, but we should never allow our own citizens’ sovereign rights to be violated.
Litterateurs write, “Home is where you are used to living,” and Taiwan can only rely on its people’s courage and determination to love their country, in order to avoid becoming a country without international recognition.
As the Chinese Civil War ended and the Kuomintang (KMT) retreated to Taiwan in 1949, China declared the One-China Principle, established the PRC, “People’s Republic of China,” and joined the United Nations, thus denying the existence of the “Republic of China,” or ROC. In Chinese history, the KMT is regarded as a rebel party that refused to fight the Japanese, swept the Palace Museum of its treasures, and took refuge in Taiwan. Meanwhile, The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is seen as a chaotic local political party in Taiwan. The fact remains that only by building a new, independent Taiwan, will the KMT know the value of their historical existence – and it is the only way to unite the people of Taiwan and bring them closer to a long-awaited democratic milestone.
The Chinese love their country, not their ruling party. Why is it that the Taiwanese choose to love their political parties instead of their own country? Wake up Taiwan, and rise to the challenge! Taiwan should be its own independent country, and we should fight for the right that we have already earned to begin with – to love a country that we can call our own.
A country’s development is dependent on its people’s participation and involvement; the progress of its communities relies on all of its residents’ accumulated knowledge and experience. Adhering to one’s philosophy and principles is the only way to realize one’s vision, and today we stand on this platform: “Taiwan Residents – Decide, Vote, and Build an Independent Nation!” Let’s build an independent Taiwan, and draft a new constitution that will allow this nation to better serve the needs of its people.
Some people have laughed and likened my campaign to the story of the infamous Don Quixote; others have criticized me as a fool with impossible dreams. But what matters to this candidate is that one day, Taiwan will become independent, and if I am unable to witness this change, I want my tombstone to read: “Here lies a Taiwanese person who refused to give up her dream.”
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