Taiwan's DPP delays decision over freezing independence stance
Proposal to freeze push for nationhood needs more discussion, chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen says, avoiding showdown with hard-core bloc
Taiwan's main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has put off a decision on a controversial proposal to "freeze" its long-held call for nationhood.
The party is preparing for local elections and any change to its platform risks alienating hard-core supporters of independence.
At a national congress held at the Taipei International Conference Centre, party chairwoman Dr Tsai Ing-wen delayed decision on the thorny issue by calling for the central executive committee to discuss the proposal in the future.
"As the election of the central executive committee will be held at 3pm and we only have 20 minutes left, [I] suggest that several proposals, including the change of the party charter and resolution … be dealt with by the … committee" in the future, Tsai said.
The proposal to freeze the independence clause was raised by 40 elite party members, including Dr Tung Chen-yuan, former vice-chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council, earlier last month.
They argue Taiwan has long been sovereign and its de facto independence status made it unnecessary for the DPP to seek the creation of a new nation.
Freezing the sensitive clause could lead to better relations between the DPP and Beijing, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province subject to eventual union, by force if necessary.