LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Tsai not planning ‘formal independence’

OPINION:

Tsai Ing-wen, the Democratic Progressive Party’s presidential candidate, has not and will not propose “formal independence,” as The Washington Times’ recent editorial, “Concern in the Taiwan Strait” (Oct. 25), wrongly states. Dr. Tsai’s clearly articulated goal for her administration is maintenance of the current status quo, based on the existing ROC constitutional order and the more than 20 years of negotiations and exchanges with China.

The people of Taiwan struggled long and hard to bring democracy and respect for human rights to our island. We are a proud democracy today and thus the future of Taiwan can only be decided by our people exercising this fundamental democratic right.

The DPP is deeply grateful for U.S. support, thanks especially to the Taiwan Relations Act. We look forward to continued strong relations with the United States and at the same time are committed to building up our defense capabilities in conjunction with defensive arms sales from the Unitd States.

We do not take the Chinese threat to our democracy lightly. We will be prudent in our relations with China and respectful and appreciative of our friendship with the United States.

JOSEPH JAUSHIEH WU

Secretary general

Democratic Progressive Party

Washington