Second Democratic Pacific Assembly Meets in Taipei

The Inaugural Democratic Pacific Assembly, held in Taipei in September of 2003, endorsed democracy, peace, and prosperity as the common values for Pacific regional development. This year's conference, in turn, focused on the theme of "Blue Civilization," with special attention to the trinity of ocean life, technology, and the humanities. The agenda for the three-day event included discussion of democratization in the various attending countries, regional security mechanisms, sustainable development of maritime resources in the Pacific, and regional economic and technological development.

ROC vice president Annette Lu, in her capacity as chairperson of the assembly, delivered remarks at the opening ceremonies. She pointed out that the Pacific is the largest and deepest ocean in the world, covering about one-third of the globe's surface, accounting for half of the oceanic surface area of the entire world, and possessing two-thirds of the world's fisheries stocks. Looking along the Pacific coastline, one finds more than 30 countries and two billion people, as well as over half of the world's economic power. Therefore, what happens in the Asia-Pacific area-growth or recession, tranquility or crisis-affects the peace, stability, and prosperity of the entire planet.

Vice President Lu also declared that the 21st century will be the Pacific century, as well as the era in which "soft power," akin to that possessed by the vast oceans, will make itself felt. "Hard" thinking, based on military aggression and economic hegemony, has long dominated the fate and historical development of mankind, several times leading the world to the brink of extinction. Therefore Lu placed special emphasis on the spirit of cooperation and sharing, on "soft thinking" that can lead to win-win situations, pluralism, and mutual coexistence and prosperity. She urged that the Pacific be managed as a "soft ocean" of sustainable development.

Lu pointed out that around the globe regional organization is a growing trend, and various continents have given rise to such organizations. Besides the European Union, with its comprehensive political and economic structure, the Organization of American States, the Sistema de la Integracion Centroamericana (SICA), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the African Union have been formed one after another. However, it is a regrettable fact that Asia, where human civilization began, has yet to effectively organize itself.

Exploring the reasons for this, Lu noted that of Asia's 39 countries, at the moment 15 have still not put democratic systems into place. Their leaders are not produced by popular election, their militaries have not been brought under civilian control, human rights records have been poor, and they lack of rule of law and meaningful political party competition. Moreover, of the five remaining communist regimes on the planet, four-China, North Korea, Vietnam, and Laos-are situated in Asia. Given these facts, she expressed her hope that by bringing together democratic countries from around the region in a demonstration of soft power, the conference could help implant the spirit of democracy and freedom deeply in the hearts of each and every Asia-Pacific citizen.

In his remarks, ROC president Chen Shui-bian pointed out that the year 2004 can be considered a crucial turning point for democracy in the Pacific region. In the Western Pacific, several countries, including South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia, have held or will hold presidential or national legislative elections. In the Eastern Pacific, in addition to the fact that ROC allies El Salvador, Panama, and the Dominican Republic have all chosen new leaders, the US will also hold its presidential election at the end of this year. How these proceed will determine whether or not the governments in question can maintain momentum in "deepening of democracy and the pursuit of reform" and thereby win greater popular support.

President Chen stated that although Taiwan is a commendable example among the new democracies of the Pacific region, as a result of obstacles placed by the Chinese government, Taiwan has long been excluded from the United Nations and associated organizations and moreover is under an ever-increasing threat of armed attack. Of particular current concern is China's plan to pass a so-called "PRC National Unification Promotion Law," which will give it a legal fig leaf for an invasion of Taiwan. This not only threatens the security and prosperity of Taiwan itself, but is an issue to which the democratic countries of the Pacific should collectively give serious attention.

Many participants at the conference-including Antonio Saca, the new president of El Salvador; Nobel Peace Prize winner Betty Williams; and Makino Seishu, a member of the Japanese Diet representing the Japan Democratic Party-lent encouragement to Taiwan in its current quandary. Moreover, participants uniformly expressed support for Taiwan's hopes to use the organization of the Democratic Pacific Union as a springboard for participation in international affairs, and to build a "values alliance," "security alliance" and "economic alliance" with member states. At this time next year, when the Democratic Pacific Union is formally established, the "blue century" in the Pacific will have turned a new page.