'Self-protective consciousness' of Taiwan comes from fear of change, PFP chairman says
People First Party chairman James Soong Chu-yu sought yesterday to persuade the mainland that the 'Taiwan consciousness' of the island's people should not be equated with 'Taiwan independence'.
The 40-minute address to students and staff at Tsinghua University was a clear attempt by the opposition leader to put across Taiwan's perspective on cross-strait relations, stressing the need for more mutual understanding between the two sides.
In addition to applause from his audience, the speech also won the approval of Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian, who said people should view Mr Soong's speech with 'openness and tolerance'.
Mr Soong said: 'Four hundred years of detachment, 100 years of being completely cut off, 50 years of confrontation and the resulting different systems between the two sides of the strait have resulted in the deepening of the division between Taiwan and the mainland.
'Taiwanese people are very afraid that a change in the status quo will result in the fruits of their decades of struggle vanishing. The highly self-protective 'Taiwan consciousness' is a result of this fear.
