Taiwan Reacts Calmly to Creation of Opposition Party

The government reacted calmly Tuesday to the creation of a new political party that poses a direct challenge to Taiwan’s ruling Kuomintang (Nationalist) party.

Justice Minister Shi Chi-yang told Parliament the government will deal with the illegal party in accordance with the law. He did not elaborate.

The Democratic Progress Party was formed Sunday by leading members of Taiwan’s opposition in defiance of martial law under which new political parties are banned.

Martial law was introduced in 1949 when the Nationalists retreated to Taiwan after their forces were defeated in civil war by the Communists in China.

“If a small minority refuses to face reality and illegally forms a party, the government will deal with them in accordance with the law,” Shi said in reply to a written question.

“The government has repeatedly said this is not the right time or place to form political parties,” he added.

Political analysts said the muted reaction to the opposition challenge is in line with a conciliatory attitude the government and security forces have been taking to political dissent.

Too Early to Say

Analysts said it is too early to say if the government will attempt to reach a compromise over the new party. They said that hard-liners in the military and security forces oppose any concessions to the opposition.

Six opposition leaders have been sentenced to jail in the last four months, and legal action against two others is pending.

The opposition has defied the government repeatedly this year by establishing offices and organizing public rallies and street demonstrations.

The government has said the offices are illegal but has failed to take any action to close them. Police have not tried to break up the protests or make arrests, although they maintain a strong presence.

Kuomintang party officials met opposition leaders in May to try to open a dialogue.

President Chiang Ching-kuo is seen as favoring a relaxation of martial law, and there are are signs he favors moves towards greater democracy by opening more seats in central government to election.

The new party has nominated 42 candidates to run in parliamentary elections in December and has said it hopes to recruit 200,000 members before then.