DistantNews
Support us
🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

KMT VP: Jaw Shaw-kong's 'Taiwan not a country' remark aligns with constitution

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • KMT Vice Chairman Hsiao Hsu-tsen stated that KMT Vice Chairwoman Jaw Shaw-kong's remarks about Taiwan not being a country align with the Republic of China Constitution.
  • Hsiao argued that Taiwan is a government and the Republic of China is a country, urging people to ask the U.S. if it recognizes Taiwan as a country.
  • He asserted that claiming Taiwan is a country is politically unrealistic and not in the interest of the Taiwanese people, emphasizing the KMT's official stance.

Kuomintang (KMT) Vice Chairman Hsiao Hsu-tsen defended KMT Vice Chairwoman Jaw Shaw-kong's controversial statement that Taiwan has never been a country, asserting that her words align with the Republic of China Constitution and the interests of the Taiwanese people. Jaw's remarks during a program, where she stated, "Taiwan has never been independent, and Taiwan has never been a country," have sparked significant debate.

Jaw Shaw-kong's every word conforms to the Constitution of the Republic of China and the interests of the Taiwanese people. Go ask the United States! Ask them if they recognize Taiwan as a country.

— Hsiao Hsu-tsenDefending Jaw Shaw-kong's statement and questioning international recognition of Taiwan.

Hsiao elaborated on the KMT's official position, explaining, "According to the Constitution of the Republic of China, Taiwan and the mainland both belong to the Republic of China. Taiwan is a government, and the Republic of China is a country. This is very clear." He challenged critics to consider the United States' stance, asking, "Go ask the United States! Ask them if they recognize Taiwan as a country." Hsiao suggested that if the U.S. does not recognize Taiwan as a country, then engaging in linguistic games about Taiwan being a country is meaningless and potentially harmful.

According to the Constitution of the Republic of China, Taiwan and the mainland both belong to the Republic of China. Taiwan is a government, and the Republic of China is a country. This is very clear.

— Hsiao Hsu-tsenExplaining the KMT's constitutional interpretation of Taiwan's status.

Addressing former President Ma Ying-jeou's past statement that "under the governance of the Republic of China, Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country," Hsiao clarified that Ma's correct usage should be interpreted as "Taiwan is our homeland, and the Republic of China is our country." He noted that this phrasing has also been used by Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu and Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, reinforcing it as the official KMT position.

Taiwan is our homeland, and the Republic of China is our country.

— Hsiao Hsu-tsenClarifying the KMT's official stance on Taiwan and the Republic of China, referencing past statements by political figures.

Hsiao concluded by emphasizing that any attempt to redefine Taiwan as a country is detrimental to the interests of Taiwan's 23 million people and hinders cross-strait relations. He stressed the importance of adhering to the Republic of China Constitution and the reality recognized by international allies like the U.S. and Japan, particularly for a responsible political party aiming for future governance.

Any attempt to make Taiwan into a country is damaging the interests of Taiwan's 23 million people.

— Hsiao Hsu-tsenWarning against redefining Taiwan's political status.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog