President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan tried to push referendum on revision of constitution, change of nation's name, removal of Chinese missiles, participation in WHO, and so on raised serious concerns and debates in the United States and abroad. All major newspapers carried the news. The Legislative Yuan (Parliament) in Taiwan passed the referendum act November 27 not what President Chen wanted. The newly passed legislation calls for referendum in a very restricted condition, that is Taiwan facing the threat of security and invasion. Although the new legislation has defused the issue, the debate continues.
In New York, the Global Chinese Alliance for the Unification of China and other local organizations sponsored a conference at Columbia University's Uris Hall November 30, 2003. Speakers include Dr. James Hsuing, Dr. John C. Chen, Robert Sun, and others. The conference was chaired by Ms. Mei-lin Liu. All participants criticized the motive of referendum. They denounced the Taiwan's quest for independence. A Columbia student in the audience raised the question whether the younger generation in Taiwan supports the one China principle.
In Los Angeles, Professor Stanley Rosen pointed out that without the American support, President Chen would not have accomplished anything. Professor George Totten said that it is not sure whether the majority of the people in Taiwan will support Taiwan's independence. Both Rosen and Totten are professors of political science at the Southern University of California. (Source: The World Journal, Nov. 25, 2003).
In Chicago, the One China Committee calls a forum on referendum on Saturday, December 6, 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Chicago Public Library in Chinatown. Panelists include Larry A. Horist, Michael Travis, Alexander Hugh, Ni Li, and Yu-hau Wei. The forum will be chaired by Tze-chung Li and Fu-shi Cai. Ms. Jing Liu will serve as an interpreter.
Chinese officials and American officials as well feared that the referendum legislation leading to independence could lead to showdown. Chen's recent push for referendum could have been motivated by the wrong signal by Ms. Therese Shaheen, chair of the American Institute in Taiwan, who has said that the United States disagreement with Ta1wan's independence is not equal to the United States opposition to Taiwan's independence. Reported by The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune, Dec. 4, 2003, in Lengthy interview by the New China News Agency and other news outlets, the military officials said that China would prevent Taiwan from formally declaring independence even if that means pushing the mainland economy into recession or destroying its plan to be host to the 2008 Olympics. Chen Shui-bian has reached the mainland's bottom line on the Taiwan question, said Col. Luo Yuan of the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences. Maj. Gen. Pen Guangqian was quoted as saying Taiwan's independence means war. The mainland would attack without hesitation.