Chen Shui-bian 'Ceases' National Unification Council, Abandoning Inaugural Pledge

President Chen Shui-bian announced on February 27, 2006, that the National Unification Council would “cease to function” and its guidelines would “cease to apply,” effectively abolishing the symbolic body despite his 2000 inaugural pledge not to do so, marking another step in Taiwan’s democratic assertion of its separate identity.

The Announcement

Careful Language

Not “abolished” but “cease to function”
Not “terminated” but “cease to apply”
Semantic gymnastics
U.S. concerns addressed
Beijing still furious

Practical Effect

Council already dormant since 2000
No meetings held
No budget allocated
Symbolic importance only
Political significance huge

Breaking the Fourth No

From 2000’s “Four Noes and One Without”:

Original Pledge: Would not abolish National Unification Council
2006 Reality: Effectively abolished
Justification: China’s Anti-Secession Law changed situation
Democratic Evolution: Public opinion shifted

Democratic Pressures

Public Opinion

70% saw council as irrelevant
Unification support below 10%
Status quo preferred
Democratic will clear
Symbolic change demanded

Political Dynamics

DPP base energized
2008 election approaching
Legacy concerns
Identity politics powerful
Democracy responding

Beijing’s Predictable Rage

Official Response

“Dangerous provocation”
“Destroying status quo”
“Independence activities”
Military threats renewed
Economic retaliation threatened

Propaganda Machine

Chen “troublemaker” again
War preparations publicized
Nationalist emotions inflamed
No nuance allowed
Authoritarian uniformity

U.S. Diplomatic Management

Initial Opposition

Urged reconsideration
Stability concerns
“No unilateral changes”
Pressure applied
Chen resisted

Compromise Language

“Cease” not “abolish”
Face-saving formula
Ambiguity maintained
Crisis managed
Tensions remain

Domestic Political Battle

Opposition Response

KMT: “Reckless provocation” PFP: “Violating promises”
TSU: “About time”

Legislative Confrontation

Opposition majority blocked
Executive action taken
Constitutional debate
Democracy tested
Polarization deepened

Historical Context

Council’s Origins

Established 1990 under Lee Teng-hui
Authoritarian era relic
Unification assumption
Pre-democracy institution
Anachronistic symbol

Guidelines Content

Eventual unification goal
One China principle
No independence
Peaceful process
Democracy ignored

Democratic Evolution

Taiwan’s transformation evident:

1990 vs. 2006

Then: Authoritarian transition
Now: Consolidated democracy
Then: Chinese identity dominant
Now: Taiwanese identity majority
Then: Unification assumed
Now: Separate future preferred

International Reactions

Regional Concerns

Japan worried about tensions
ASEAN urged dialogue
Australia called for calm
Business confidence shaken

European Confusion

Complex issue
Democracy vs. stability
Economic interests
Cautious statements

Media Analysis

Taiwan’s Free Press

Extensive debate
Legal analysis
Historical context
Opinion polls
Democracy functioning

China’s Propaganda

Uniform condemnation
War threats
No alternative views
Democracy attacked
Control absolute

Strategic Implications

For Cross-Strait Relations

Symbolic break deepened
Dialogue prospects dimmed
Military tensions increased
Economic integration questioned
Future complicated

For Taiwan Politics

Independence momentum
Identity consolidated
Democracy asserted
Polarization continued
2008 stakes raised

The Democracy Factor

Why Now?

Anti-Secession Law provocation
Democratic mandate
Public opinion shift
Lame duck period
Legacy building

Process Matters

Public debate occurred
Media scrutinized
Opposition voiced
Decision transparent
Democracy messy but real

Economic Consequences

Immediate Impact

Stock market dropped
NT dollar weakened
Investment delayed
Tourism affected

Longer-term Risks

Cross-strait trade
Technology transfer
Financial integration
Supply chains

Looking Forward

2008 Election Shadow

Major campaign issue
KMT promises reversal
DPP defends decision
Identity politics central
Democracy decides

Structural Changes

Unification option fading
Independence complicated
Status quo evolving
Democracy permanent
Future uncertain

Historical Significance

The NUC decision represented:

Democratic Assertion - Popular will expressed
Identity Confirmation - Taiwanese path chosen
Symbolic Break - Unification assumption ended
System Test - Democracy handled controversy

Chen’s decision to cease the National Unification Council’s functions demonstrated how democratic evolution inevitably challenges authoritarian-era institutions, with Taiwan’s democracy responding to public opinion despite international pressure, further widening the gulf between democratic Taiwan and authoritarian China.