[War] Republic of China: "Checks and Balances"

[Alan Tang]

“Checks and Balances”
President Tang, Wai Kiat
Republic of China
September 21, 2006

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[September 23, 2006]

For now it was best to downplay his position on Taiwan independence. Though 
he had his own strong belief in a one day creating a separate and 
independent Republic of ‘Taiwan’, he knew politically it was not the best 
time to rolling such a massive agenda. For one it would likely trigger an 
international crisis and potentially escalate to a world war between the 
east (PRC) and the west (US). Tonight’s press briefing was meant as a meet 
and greet between him and the media, and it was here where he wanted to roll 
out an announcement of the health care and disease control spending bill.

“…so with this new influx of funds, we project that if passed this bill will 
provide in an increased range of operations for the Centre for Disease 
Control, more funding in terms of disease preventive research and orders for 
avian flu ‘vaccinations’. As President, I’ve also discussed with Premier Lee 
Yi-Yang about drafting anti pollution spending bills and set standards for 
greenhouse gases and toxic emissions. Are there any questions?”

And so the chain came undone… “Mr. President, You have stated that in your 
constitution reforms that you wanted to grant the office powers of veto and 
calls for referendums can you tell us why you wanted this specific reform 
package, and that does it have anything to do with your independence 
stance?”

Tang bit his tongue, irritated in the sense that his entire debriefing had 
been jotted down and forgotten. “Well… I believed that these certain reforms 
were necessary to make the President of the ROC move effective entity. The 
veto clause would allow this Presidency strike down legislation he or she 
might believe were not in the best interest of the country and instead send 
back to allow for a sober second thought. This would best serve the country 
in passing the best legislation and providing more checks and balances 
towards our democracy.”

”And of the power to call referendums?”

Again he bit his tongue, “This power would allow up to streamline questions 
to the people, and prevent it from being bogged down by legislators, leaving 
it on the shoulders of the people and the people alone”

”Are you positioning yourself to call a referendum on sovereignty for 
Taiwan?”

”The short answer is no,” that was a lie. “I’m just mapping out and 
legalizing all available options for the future of China, whether it be 
through eventual re-unification, independence or the status quo, next 
question”

”What’s your thoughts on the KMTs evolving position on the ‘One China’ 
policy and eventual reunification, which they support are there any thoughts 
on possible reunification and possibly the establishment of the PRC 
establishing a Special Administration Region for Taiwan?”

”No Comment”

”Can you say what your position of Taiwan Independence is Mr. President?”

”My position…” he paused carefully articulating his message to the masses. 
“Is that Taiwan is already an independent democratic state called the 
Republic of China, and that Taiwan and the mainland don’t exercise that 
sovereignty over each other. Whether if we want to move a step forward and 
separate from the mainland all together is a question that a nation of 23 
million people have to ask. I make no apologies for my position. Now before 
we get off track” he said with some sarcasm earning him some light laughter 
within the press. “Is there any questions on the Health Care and Disease 
Control Reforms or the environment?” Dead silence followed.

”Well thank you for making this first press meeting a ‘painless’ one,” he 
said with a smile. “Very well, that’ll be all. Good night.”

“Good Night Mr. President”, the room said in unison.

OFF:
Actions:
-Press debrief on the ‘Health Care and Diseases Control’ Spending Bill as 
well as the pro environment package passed off to the Executive Yuan
-Explain on the constitution changes allowing the president to veto 
legislation and the call referendums
-Tang refuses to comment on Chinese reunification
-Tang states that his position on independence is that Taiwan is already a 
sovereign, independent state called the ‘Republic of China’, he follows that 
true legal independence will rest on the people of Taiwan in a possible 
referendum sometime in the near or far future. Officially speaking, Tang has 
no plans to push an independence agenda to the people.