CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS AFTER THE 2000 ELECTION IN TAIWAN

Abstract

In a tight three-way race for the presidency, Chen Shuibian of Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) defeated Lien Chan of the then-ruling Nationalist Party (Kuomintang, KMT) and James Soong, an expelled KMT member running as an independent candidate, to win the presidency of the Republic of China (ROC) in March 2000. Chen’s victory was significant in that it was the first time that political power at the national level had been transferred peacefully from one political party to another on the island and indeed on any territory where ethnic Chinese rule. The election marked the completion of the ROC’s transition to become a genuine democracy. While Taiwanese citizens celebrate their remarkable political achievement, the election’s outcome displeased the leadership of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as Chen came with strong pro-independence credentials. The Chinese ambassador to the U.S., Li Zhaoxing, was quoted prior to the election as saying, “With the exception of Chen Shui-bian, all others can be elected.”1 Beijing attempted to disrupt the momentum gathering behind Chen in the election run-up by issuing a series of warnings to Taiwanese voters. The PRC’s State Council issued a white paper one month before the