KMT News Release

News Release

KMT Culture and Communications Committee

August 22, 2007

The Youth Daily, published by the Ministry of Defense, has changed its traditional slogan “Fight for the Republic of China” to “Fight for the nation of Taiwan’s survival and development; fight for Taiwan’s freedom and democracy; and fight for the welfare of Taiwan’s people.” In response, KMT secretary-general Wu Den-yih made a statement saying that the National Army was part of the Republic of China (ROC), and its purpose is to defend the ROC. “No matter how much the DPP tries to distort this fact, it cannot change the truth,” Wu said.

Wu pointed out that the DPP had carried out efforts to remove the legacy of Chiang Kai-shek in the armed forces in the past and this time was a brazen attempt to “de-legitimize” the ROC within the armed forces. “This type of thing,” Wu intoned, “intentionally ignores the prescription that the ‘armed forces shall be above personal, regional, and party affiliations,’ stipulated in the ROC Constitution.” The DPP’s aim is to politicize the armed forces for a single political party or a single person’s political gain, which jeopardizes the independence of the National Army, Wu accused. “The KMT is deeply worried about these developments,” he added.

Wu went on to say that, the word “national” in “National Army” refers to the Republic of China, and to defend the legitimacy of the ROC was everyone’s unshirkable responsibility.

“The legitimacy of the ROC now rests in Taiwan. So therefore, the National Army, without a doubt, would fight for Taiwan’s democracy and freedom, but this is not the same as fighting for Taiwan Independence. As a party that is devoted to Taiwan and defending the ROC, the KMT strongly condemns the DPP for their irresponsible behavior,” said Wu.

Wu also commented on Minister of Education Tu Cheng-sheng’s remarks in which he said the ROC no longer existed. Wu said Tu’s language, as ROC Education Minister, was a shame. The KMT has called for Tu to back up his words and resign from his so-called “imaginary” position as ROC Education Minister and to find a “real” job.

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