10
When Chen Shui-bian assumed office in 2000, his predecessor, Lee Teng-hui, had
laid down a solid groundwork for Chen to continue the social engineering process for
Taiwan’s identity. Chen owes his intellectual vision of Taiwan’s politics to Lee Teng-
hui. In order to create a new statehood for Taiwan, a consensual confirmation of
Taiwan’s identity is a priori in order to gain a majority in legitimating Taiwan’s
independence claim.
When Chiang Kai-shek ruled Taiwan, there was less debate on “one China” because
of his conviction to return to mainland China. Realizing the difficulty of resuming
control of the mainland and seeing the loss of Taiwan’s UN membership, Chiang Ching-
kuo launched the process of “Taiwanization” within the KMT as well as the government
to maintain the political legitimacy of the KMT.
14
“One China” became a future vision
with an expectation of peaceful resolution. Doubts about the usefulness of the “one
China” principle gradually began to surge in public forums, particularly during the
process of democratic transition under Lee Teng-hui’s rule.
15
Lee Teng-hui’s views and visions were certainly molded at various stages of his life.
Lee Teng-hui never hid his enchanting love of Japan because he was technically a
Japanese until he reached age 22 in Taiwan—a Japanese colony from 1895 to1945. His
knowledge of world events and venue of information were primarily through Japanese
publications. Marxism fascinated him as a youth, and he was once a member of the
Communist Party in Taiwan.
16
This unpleasant event remained in his confidential
dossier even after he had been inducted into the ruling circle and promoted to different
governmental positions.
Convention