Word: kmt
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...beyond his predecessors in saying the island is an autonomous nation, not a breakaway province destined to be reunited with China. In addition, Chen has angered Beijing by planning to hold a controversial referendum on cross-strait issues on election day. In contrast, the main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), argues that warmer relations with China will benefit Taiwan's economy. Chen explained his stance last week to TIME's Executive Editor for Asia, Anthony Spaeth, and reporters Andrew Perrin and Joyce Huang...
...TIME: In the past, hasn't ambiguity over Taiwan's status secured peace in the strait? Chen: China talks of "one China." The previous KMT administration also talked of "one China"?they wanted to recover the mainland and have refused to give it up. Even now the KMT still insists on the policy of eventual unification. I think this is very unrealistic. With both sides of the Taiwan Strait singing the same tune, the result is that Taiwan is isolated in the international community, giving China ever better excuses for its attempt to absorb Taiwan, to make Taiwan into...
...TIME: If you lose the election and the KMT takes the government, how bad would that be for Taiwan? Chen: I will be re-elected. I am a person that writes history and creates new chapters in history...
...erupted, Beijing had deliberately held its fire. That, coupled with a steady drop in Chen's popularity over the years, apparently forced the President to seek a fresh squabble with China. "China is a useful enemy for Chen," says Su Chi, a senior policy adviser to the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party. "It's a scarecrow he can point at to mobilize many people in Taiwan who resent China trying to influence our democracy...
...Replaying the China card may not be enough to get Chen elected again, however. In 2000, the opposition was divided. For the coming election, the KMT and the other major opposition group, the People First Party, are fielding a joint candidate, KMT chairman Lien Chan, so as not to split the vote. The opposition has attacked Chen's administrative performance, blaming frequent policy flip-flops in the past few years for having aggravated Taiwan's poor economy. Still, by harping on the referendum issue, Chen has managed to achieve two key election objectives: telegraphing to his hard-core supporters...