Chen Shui-bian Quotes (90 Quotes)

a fresh opportunity for progress.

We have had a long wait for democracy.

In the 1999 resolution regarding Taiwan's future passed by the Democratic Progressive Party, it is stated very clearly that any change to the status quo of Taiwan must be decided by the people of Taiwan through referenda.

The election is over, and even though there are people who have different ideologies and beliefs, from now on we must all embrace each other, creating a harmonious and unified new Taiwan through our love and tolerance.

In light of the end-year elections ... it will be very difficult to have any discussion on the military procurement budget in the meantime,

I believe the leaders of the two sides of the (Taiwan Strait) have wisdom and originality to rewrite history, and create history,

We must be clear that each side of the Strait is a separate country, ... Taiwan must go down its own road.

Both sides should recognize it is our mutual responsibility to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait and use peaceful means to resolve any disputes, including military or diplomatic,

When it happened, I first thought was a firecracker,

It appears very sensitive and impossible now, but there are still eight years, ... So long as everybody is willing to shake hands and reconcile, there is nothing impossible.

It has been well over half a century and I'm glad to say we have taken the right path from authoritarianism to democracy and this is a road of no return.

Over the next four years, I will continue to listen to different views and accept different suggestions.

There will be no change in the commitments that I've made to the U. S. government, to President (George) Bush. Taiwan-U. S. relations will ... become closer ever, and there is no room for the possibility of any so-called accidents.

When we're facing the increasing military threat and buildup on the other side of the Taiwan Strait, ... every citizen should recognize that increasing Taiwan's defensive strength is the first condition of preserving the peaceful status quo in the Taiwan Strait.

It was very painful ... We are the ones who were shot. We are more eager than anyone else to find out the truth,

We ask them to remove the missiles deployed against Taiwan, give up their military threat, and instead let us together open the door to cross-Strait peaceful and stable dialogue and negotiations.

My responsibility and my obligations are to maintain Taiwan's national sovereignty, dignity and security, and to pursue the well-being of the Taiwanese people,

We hope our country will not be torn apart by a single election,

I got up at 2 a.m. for this trip. I want to see my relatives and I want to see China,

we are brave Taiwanese, hard-working Taiwanese, and dignified Taiwanese.

Despite our repeated goodwill to seek reconciliation, cooperation and peace on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, the other side shows no respect for the feelings of the Taiwan people and rudely forces Taiwan to accept communist China's 'one China' and 'one country, two systems',

Even if I were knocked down by one gunshot it wouldn't affect our democracy and I wasn't knocked down and I have great confidence in our democracy and in Taiwan and in the people of Taiwan.

Am I wrong Or is the Democratic Progressive Party government wrong for continuing to pursue a former government's proposal in the interest of national security

I understand the harsh feelings and sentiments from my opponents and their supporters because I myself have been defeated twice in my political life in the past and I understand very well it is hard to accept your own failure.

This will be a 'win-win' program that will not only help Taiwan businesses reach out to the world, expedite their transformation and diversify the risks of their investment overseas, but will also help cement relations with the country's allies,

You can question the outcome, you can raise a motion to void the election and we must respect that. I know we did not rig votes, we are not afraid of re-examining the ballots.

The grandeur and strength or our people and democracy are as big as a forest.

It is not only a new era for Taiwan's democracy, it is a new era for solidarity and harmony, and a new era for peace across the Taiwan Strait.

We also intend to deal with the issue of incorporating basic human rights into our new constitution.

We don't intend to aggressively expand our military or engage in an arms race, and I earnestly urge the Chinese communists to give up your military threat against us and seek to replace conflict with dialogue,

I believe no one is willing to give up taking the road of freedom, democracy, and human rights. The 23 million Taiwan people should continue to insist on walking their own path.

I expect the ruling and opposition parties to work together for the future of Taiwan.

I believe we will have the same wisdom and creativity to fulfill the mission impossible,

No matter which Taiwan party or individuals China prefers to talk to, it ultimately has to talk to the leader chosen by Taiwan people and the government of Taiwan,

Insisting he was not looking to change the current status of Taiwan, ... an independent and sovereign country.

We must not demonstrate any arrogance, and we must refrain from any irrational or undemocratic behavior.

I don't think that politics should be a part of it, because it never helps, ... On the other hand, we're not in a perfect world.

The whole world is watching Taiwan's democracy, and the 23 million people of Taiwan will get a thumbs up from the world.

If we really love and cherish Taiwan, we should hold our hands in unity to protect our country and our democratic values with the most humble and tolerant hearts.

I have great confidence in the universal value and in basic human rights and I have great confidence that referenda will eventually take root and become part of our daily lives in Taiwan.