The grand opening of the 29th annual meeting of the World Federation of Taiwanese Associations in Tokyo, Japan, has once again reflected the ardent love of our overseas Taiwanese towards this piece of land, Taiwan, and manifested the strong vitality of the Taiwanese associations in various parts of the world.

[The annual meeting] will surely be able to bring the WFTA to new developments and new horizons and enable it to continue to work wholeheartedly for Taiwan's future.

Over a long period of time, the WFTA has made important contributions to Taiwan's democracy, the opening of its society, and the safeguarding of its human rights.

In the darkest days of the past filled with sufferings, your sacrifices and dedication enabled the flames of Taiwan's democracy to continue abroad.

Safeguarding identity

At the same time, you continued to provide assistance to Taiwan's democratic movement and inspire the general public on the island to earnestly ponder about Taiwan's prospect and its future.

As long as we are united as one, stand firmly in our stride, and master our own direction, I believe we will again open up our own road and carve out the future of Taiwan

Finally, in the year 2000, with the approach of the new century, we at long last fulfilled your wishes and accomplished the changeover of the ruling party and the peaceful transition of political power, thereby enabling Taiwan to become a completely free and democratic country and to stand before the whole world with this glorious achievement.

At the same time, the WFTA has likewise continued over the years to dedicate its heart and soul to safeguarding Taiwan's identity and letting the international community to hear the heartfelt wishes of the Taiwan people.

In the past, you were not afraid of sacrifice out of your love for Taiwan.

Many fellow Taiwanese were subject to persecution and forced to go into exile, unable to return to the homeland all those years.

Your efforts and sacrifices, however, were not in vain.

Confidence in future

Your long held ideas - that Taiwan's sovereignty and independence can never be deprived of or restricted, that Taiwan's future must be determined by the Taiwan people themselves, that Taiwan's interests must come first, and so on and so forth - have not only become Taiwan's mainstream public opinion but have also won widespread acknowledgment in the international community.

Taiwan is not a part of someone else, not someone else's local government, and not someone else's province

We must have confidence in ourselves and in the future of Taiwan.

In the past, we were not afraid of the bully of power and with love for our native Taiwan, we insisted on walking down our own road and eventually opened up a road of freedom and democracy for Taiwan.

Today, Taiwan is facing the Chinese communists' armed threats and international suppression.

We must not evade this fact but must not harbour any illusion.

We will open up a new situation for the Taiwan people's dignity and national security as well as the Taiwan society's prosperity and progress.

I again wish that this annual meeting will be successful and sincerely hope that under the leadership of President Kuo and the enthusiastic participation and support of native Taiwanese, the World Federation of Taiwanese Associations will continue to grow and strengthen.

[I hope that they] continue to speak out for Taiwan, actively elevate Taiwan's position in the world, and fully open up the space for Taiwan's survival in the international community.

'Independent state'

Here, I personally wish to make the following few calls and ask everyone to seriously think over them.

In the past few days, I have said that we should think seriously, we should walk down our own road - our Taiwan road - and walk towards our Taiwan's future.

What is walking down our Taiwan road? It is very simple and clear.

Our Taiwan road is "a road of democracy, a road of freedom, a road of human rights, and a road of peace for Taiwan".

Taiwan is our country.

Our country should not be bullied, dwarfed, marginalized, and localized.

Taiwan is not a part of someone else, not someone else's local government, and not someone else's province.

Taiwan cannot become the second Hong Kong or Macao because Taiwan is an independent sovereign state.

In short, it must be clearly distinguished that both Taiwan and China are a country on either side of the strait.

People's referendum

China has refused to renounce the option of using force against Taiwan and continued to suppress Taiwan in the international community.

This has greatly hurt the feelings of the Taiwan people.

China's so-called "one China principle" or "one country, two systems" is to change the status quo in Taiwan.

It is impossible for us to accept this because whether Taiwan's future and the status quo should be changed is an issue not to be decided by any country, government, party, or individual.

Only the great 23 million people of Taiwan have the right to decide on Taiwan's future, destiny, and status quo.

How do we make a decision when necessary?

Referendum - it is the ideal and goal we have been pursuing over a long period of time and the common idea of everyone.

Referendum is a basic human right and the 23 million people of Taiwan have this basic human right, which should not be deprived or restricted.

I sincerely call on and encourage all of you to seriously ponder over the importance and urgency of a referendum legislation.