Date:23/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/23/stories/2008032355171200.htm

International

Opposition wins Taiwan poll

P. S. Suryanarayana

Voters reject referendum on U.N. membership for territory

SINGAPORE: Ma Ying-jeou of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) on Saturday won the presidential election in the non-sovereign territory of Taiwan, raising hopes of better ties between it and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Under the internationally recognised One-China principle, Taiwan belongs to the PRC.

In a parallel referendum on Saturday, the Taiwan electorate vetoed two overlapping propositions that would have allowed the territory to seek membership of the United Nations. Taiwan ceased to be a member of the world body in 1971, even as the PRC became a veto-empowered permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.

China’s protest

The United States and other major powers saw the now-defeated moves for Taiwan’s U.N. membership as unilateral actions aimed at changing the status quo in regard to the territory.

China has consistently expressed opposition to any moves by Taiwan towards so-called independence in any form.

Mr. Ma Ying-jeou defeated Chang-ting Hsieh, better known as Frank Hsieh, of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), by securing over 7.65 million votes or 58.45 per cent of ballots cast in the direct presidential poll. With this, the KMT has regained executive power after nearly eight years of DPP rule under the pro-independence President Chen Shui-bian.

Of the referendum proposals, the one seeking U.N. membership under the name of “Taiwan” was vetoed, with just 35.82 per cent of the eligible voters, numbering over 17.31 million, caring to cast ballot.

The other measure, which too was vetoed in similar fashion, was designed to seek a renewal of U.N. membership under Taiwan’s old name in the world body.

A number of attempts by Taiwan to rejoin the U.N. have been rebuffed by the world body every time.

In contrast to the low voter-participation in Saturday’s referendum, over 13.10 million cast ballot in the parallel presidential poll.

Speaking in Taipei after his victory, Mr. Ma Ying-jeou said: “It is a vote for change, for reform, vote for harmony to march forward. People will like to have a clean government, they don’t want corruption; they want prosperity, they do not want recession; they want stability. The people of Taiwan want harmony; they do not like to see divisions; they do not want to see war.”