Hsu Hsin-liang
Encyclopedia
Hsu Hsin-liang is a Taiwanese
politician, formerly Chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party
(DPP). He was a supporter of the Pan-Blue Coalition
from 2000 to 2008 but then supported the DPP in the 2008 presidential election.
and received his bachelor's degree in Political Science from the National Chengchi University
in 1967 and his KMT-sponsored master's degree from the University of Edinburgh
in 1969. He began his political career in the Kuomintang
as a member of the Taiwan Provincial Assembly from 1973 to 1977, but broke ranks in 1977 when he ran and won as an independent in the election for Magistrate of Taoyuan County.
Deeply involved in the Kaohsiung Incident
, during which opposition politicians held a demonstration commemorating Human Rights Day, Hsu was forced into exile in the United States in 1979. In 1986, he tried to return to Taiwan but was turned back upon arriving at the Chiang Kai-shek International Airport
. Three years later he was arrested while slipping into Taiwan aboard a mainland Chinese fishing boat and was jailed for sedition until being pardoned in 1990.
He later joined the DPP and served as its Chairman twice, from 1991 to 1993 and 1996 to 1998. He attempted to transform the party from a radical pro-Taiwan independence
party to a more moderate and electable political group that no longer supported immediate independence. Having failed twice in gaining DPP support for his presidential bid, first in 1996 when he lost the party primary to Peng Ming-Min and second in 1999 when the party threw its support behind the widely popular former mayor of Taipei City, Chen Shui-Bian, Hsu decided to withdraw from the DPP in 1999.
Hsu ran in the 2000 presidential election as an independent with New Party
legislator Chu Hui-liang as his running mate. During the campaign, he promoted unification based on 'one country, two systems
'. After the election Hsu became more critical of the Chen Shui-bian
government and its various policies. Hsu believes that maintaining a good relationship with the People's Republic of China is vital for Taiwan's survival and growth, and there is no hurry to negotiate with mainland on political issues at the present. Instead, establishing a closer economic relationship across the strait
will help Taiwan's economy.
Hsu publicly supported Lien Chen and James Soong
in the 2004 presidential election. In March 2004, Hsu and a dozen other prominent politicians involved in the Tangwai
movement published The Joint Declaration of the Tang Wai participants(黨外人士聯合聲明), in which they reprimanded Chen Shui-bian of betraying the ideals of democracy and freedom that they once pursued. Criticising Chen of being "corrupted by power" and close with Lee Teng-hui
and black gold
, Hsu and others urged voters who once supported DPP for its ideals not to vote for Chen, to give him a chance to "reflect on himself".
After the 2004 presidential election, Hsu, in protest of what he saw as an unfair election, arrived at Ketagalan Boulevard
(in front of the presidential palace) on the night of March 24 and staged a 3-day hunger strike. He believed firmly that Chen Shui-bian cheated in the election and thought he was now fighting for democracy, just like what he did two decades ago.
He founded the Taiwan Democratic School in July 2004 which is aimed at "promoting a new democratic movement to sustain Taiwan's young democracy." It has advocated unity within the Pan-Blue Alliance.
In December 2004 he made an unsuccessful run in the Legislative Yuan election as an independent in the Taipei City South constituency. His platform opposed a NT$610.8 billion arms purchase from the U.S. and supported opening three direct links.
Hsu came out to support DPP candidate Frank Hsieh
in the 2008 presidential election even though he had been connected with the pan-blue camp during much of the period Chen Shui-bian
served as president. He has also been seen at events organised by the DPP since 2008. On March 25, 2011 he registered to participate in the DPP's primary to select the party's candidate for the 2012 presidential election.
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
politician, formerly Chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party
Democratic Progressive Party
The Democratic Progressive Party is a political party in Taiwan, and the dominant party in the Pan-Green Coalition. Founded in 1986, DPP is the first meaningful opposition party in Taiwan. It has traditionally been associated with strong advocacy of human rights and a distinct Taiwanese identity,...
(DPP). He was a supporter of the Pan-Blue Coalition
Pan-Blue Coalition
The Pan-Blue Coalition 泛藍聯盟 or Pan-Blue Force is a political alliance in the Republic of China , consisting of the Kuomintang , the People First Party , and the New Party . The name comes from the party colours of the Kuomintang...
from 2000 to 2008 but then supported the DPP in the 2008 presidential election.
Biography
Hsu attended now the Hsinchu Senior High SchoolHsinchu Senior High School
National Hsinchu Senior High SchoolMotto：Honesty, Wisdom, the Glorious Health and PerseveranceSchool TypeNational High SchoolEstablishment1922LocationHsinchu City, Taiwan, Republic of ChinaAddressNo.36, Xue-Fu Rd., Hsinchu City, TaiwanEnrollment...
and received his bachelor's degree in Political Science from the National Chengchi University
National Chengchi University
National Chengchi University is a prestigious public university at Muzha in Wenshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan. It is well-known for its concentration on the social sciences, law, commerce, communication, liberal arts and for its MBA programs....
in 1967 and his KMT-sponsored master's degree from the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
in 1969. He began his political career in the Kuomintang
Kuomintang
The Kuomintang of China , sometimes romanized as Guomindang via the Pinyin transcription system or GMD for short, and translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party is a founding and ruling political party of the Republic of China . Its guiding ideology is the Three Principles of the People, espoused...
as a member of the Taiwan Provincial Assembly from 1973 to 1977, but broke ranks in 1977 when he ran and won as an independent in the election for Magistrate of Taoyuan County.
Deeply involved in the Kaohsiung Incident
Kaohsiung Incident
The Kaohsiung Incident also known as the Formosa Incident, the Meilidao Incident or the Formosa Magazine incident was the result of pro-democracy demonstrations that occurred in Kaohsiung, Taiwan on December 10, 1979....
, during which opposition politicians held a demonstration commemorating Human Rights Day, Hsu was forced into exile in the United States in 1979. In 1986, he tried to return to Taiwan but was turned back upon arriving at the Chiang Kai-shek International Airport
Chiang Kai-shek International Airport
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport , the largest airport in Taiwan, is an international airport located in Dayuan Township, Taoyuan County, Taiwan. It is one of four Taiwanese airports with regular international flights, and is by far the busiest international air entry point amongst them...
. Three years later he was arrested while slipping into Taiwan aboard a mainland Chinese fishing boat and was jailed for sedition until being pardoned in 1990.
He later joined the DPP and served as its Chairman twice, from 1991 to 1993 and 1996 to 1998. He attempted to transform the party from a radical pro-Taiwan independence
Taiwan independence
Taiwan independence is a political movement whose goals are primarily to formally establish the Republic of Taiwan by renaming or replacing the Republic of China , form a Taiwanese national identity, reject unification and One country, two systems with the People's Republic of China and a Chinese...
party to a more moderate and electable political group that no longer supported immediate independence. Having failed twice in gaining DPP support for his presidential bid, first in 1996 when he lost the party primary to Peng Ming-Min and second in 1999 when the party threw its support behind the widely popular former mayor of Taipei City, Chen Shui-Bian, Hsu decided to withdraw from the DPP in 1999.
Hsu ran in the 2000 presidential election as an independent with New Party
New Party (Republic of China)
The New Party, formerly the Chinese New Party , is a centre-right conservative political party in the Republic of China , and part of the pan-blue coalition....
legislator Chu Hui-liang as his running mate. During the campaign, he promoted unification based on 'one country, two systems
One country, two systems
"One country, two systems" is an idea originally proposed by Deng Xiaoping, then Paramount Leader of the People's Republic of China , for the reunification of China during the early 1980s...
'. After the election Hsu became more critical of the Chen Shui-bian
Chen Shui-bian
Chen Shui-bian is a former Taiwanese politician who was the 10th and 11th-term President of the Republic of China from 2000 to 2008. Chen, whose Democratic Progressive Party has traditionally been supportive of Taiwan independence, ended more than fifty years of Kuomintang rule in Taiwan...
government and its various policies. Hsu believes that maintaining a good relationship with the People's Republic of China is vital for Taiwan's survival and growth, and there is no hurry to negotiate with mainland on political issues at the present. Instead, establishing a closer economic relationship across the strait
Taiwan Strait
The Taiwan Strait or Formosa Strait, formerly known as the Black Ditch, is a 180-km-wide strait separating Mainland China and Taiwan. The strait is part of the South China Sea and connects to East China Sea to the northeast...
will help Taiwan's economy.
Hsu publicly supported Lien Chen and James Soong
James Soong
James Soong Chu-yu , is a politician in the Republic of China on Taiwan. He founded and chairs the People First Party, a smaller and more conservative party in the Kuomintang -led Pan-Blue Coalition....
in the 2004 presidential election. In March 2004, Hsu and a dozen other prominent politicians involved in the Tangwai
Tangwai
The Tangwai movement was a political movement in the Republic of China in the mid-1970s and early 1980s. Although the Kuomintang had allowed contested elections for a small number of seats in Legislative Yuan, opposition parties were still forbidden...
movement published The Joint Declaration of the Tang Wai participants(黨外人士聯合聲明), in which they reprimanded Chen Shui-bian of betraying the ideals of democracy and freedom that they once pursued. Criticising Chen of being "corrupted by power" and close with Lee Teng-hui
Lee Teng-hui
Lee Teng-hui is a politician of the Republic of China . He was the 7th, 8th, and 9th-term President of the Republic of China and Chairman of the Kuomintang from 1988 to 2000. He presided over major advancements in democratic reforms including his own re-election which marked the first direct...
and black gold
Black gold (politics)
Black gold is a term used in the Republic of China to refer to political corruption. The term refers to the obtaining of money through a dark, secretive, and corrupt method ....
, Hsu and others urged voters who once supported DPP for its ideals not to vote for Chen, to give him a chance to "reflect on himself".
After the 2004 presidential election, Hsu, in protest of what he saw as an unfair election, arrived at Ketagalan Boulevard
Ketagalan Boulevard
Ketagalan Boulevard is located in Zhongzheng District in Taipei, Taiwan, between the Presidential Building and the East Gate . The length is 400 m. There are ten lanes for two-way traffic, and no traffic islands.-History:...
(in front of the presidential palace) on the night of March 24 and staged a 3-day hunger strike. He believed firmly that Chen Shui-bian cheated in the election and thought he was now fighting for democracy, just like what he did two decades ago.
He founded the Taiwan Democratic School in July 2004 which is aimed at "promoting a new democratic movement to sustain Taiwan's young democracy." It has advocated unity within the Pan-Blue Alliance.
In December 2004 he made an unsuccessful run in the Legislative Yuan election as an independent in the Taipei City South constituency. His platform opposed a NT$610.8 billion arms purchase from the U.S. and supported opening three direct links.
Hsu came out to support DPP candidate Frank Hsieh
Frank Hsieh
Frank Hsieh Chang-ting is a Taiwanese politician of the Democratic Progressive Party in the Republic of China. He was the mayor of Kaohsiung City until his appointment as President of the Executive Yuan by president Chen Shui-bian on February 1, 2005. He announced his resignation from the post of...
in the 2008 presidential election even though he had been connected with the pan-blue camp during much of the period Chen Shui-bian
Chen Shui-bian
Chen Shui-bian is a former Taiwanese politician who was the 10th and 11th-term President of the Republic of China from 2000 to 2008. Chen, whose Democratic Progressive Party has traditionally been supportive of Taiwan independence, ended more than fifty years of Kuomintang rule in Taiwan...
served as president. He has also been seen at events organised by the DPP since 2008. On March 25, 2011 he registered to participate in the DPP's primary to select the party's candidate for the 2012 presidential election.