Strait Talk: The full interview

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TIME: Mr. President, the nationalism movement is most definitely on the rise in Taiwan, and to me it seems that it's a movement that rejects all cultural, social and political ties with China. It almost identifies itself with being anti-China or anti-Chinese. Is this a move that you believe is healthy for Taiwan?
Chen: Taiwan is a democratic country with a rich diversity of views. When different groups or different individuals hold alternate views and ideas as to which direction this country should go, we should respect them. I don't think the nationalism movement started just recently. It has existed for over half a century. Regarding the issue of Taiwan's international status, some hold the view that it is undecided, and therefore some groups of people will seek official independence for Taiwan and a declaration of independence. But we hold the view that whether we are called Taiwan or the Republic of China, we are already an independent sovereign country. Therefore, it is not necessary to declare independence. The fundamental attitude and stance of this government is to maintain and defend the status quo. However, we cannot deny that some are not satisfied with the status quo, and they hold different opinions. We must tolerate and respect such opinions. As I am now the President, I must bear the responsibility and be accountable.

TIME: If you lose the election and the KMT takes the government, how bad would that be for Taiwan?
Chen: I don't think there is such a possibility. I will be re-elected. We will not allow the "black gold" politics to return. The people of Taiwan will choose a candidate that has a clear position and clear ideas. They will choose a candidate who will truly protect Taiwan and who will always stand with the 23 million people of Taiwan. I hope that Time magazine will have confidence in me. I recall that back in 1994, before I was elected mayor of Taipei, I was selected by your respectable magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. I also recall that on the election day back on March 18, 2000, before the results were announced, your magazine conducted an interview at our campaign headquarters. A few hours after the interview was conducted, the results were announced and I was elected President, so your interview was not conducted in vain. I am a person that writes history and creates new chapters in history. I believe that on March 20, 2004, I will again write history.

TIME: If you can imagine for a moment that the KMT candidates are elected to govern Taiwan, would the deepening sense of Taiwanese identity and consciousness that began with former president Lee Teng-hui be cut short or influenced as a result?
Chen: We have already walked this far down the road of Taiwan's democracy. We cannot turn back now. Some say that we pursue "de-Sinification." Actually, it would be more precise to say that we are unwilling to strip Taiwan of its nationhood. From Lee Teng-hui to myself, former president Lee Teng-hui belonged to the KMT, whereas I am a member of the DPP, but he passed the baton to me. Taiwan's road to democracy is clearly a road that runs counter to stripping Taiwan of its nationhood. This is a trend and a mainstream value in Taiwan society. It is not something that anyone can change or oppose. It is also the main reason why I will win the election on March 20.