2011-09-28
民進黨建黨二十五週年黨慶使節酒會，蔡英文致詞全文
各位外交圈的朋友，在場各位先進，各位女士先生：
在此謹以民進黨主席身份，代表本黨歡迎各位光臨建黨二十五週年黨慶酒會。過去在黨慶時，我們都舉辦駐台使節酒會，邀請大家來慶祝民進黨生日，這項活動行之有年，已成為傳統，但在民進黨於2008年遭逢低潮後暫停了幾屆。終於在今天，這個傳統能夠延續，很高興在此和來自各國的朋友們，一起慶祝民進黨的成長。
自從1986年9月28日，勇敢的民主先進冒著失去生命、失去自由的危險，突破戒嚴令下的黨禁，成立了民主進步黨後，這二十五年來，從街頭抗爭到執政，民進黨對民主以及人民幸福的承諾從未改變。過去民進黨在推動政治改革方面，特別是在打破一黨專政體制、開創多黨政治民主上，扮演了關鍵的角色；除此之外，民進黨也在許多改善人民生活的重要政策上，擔任了領航的舵手。
我們的立場，歷經各項辯論及選舉等嚴苛挑戰；今天我們能夠有自信地站穩腳步，因為我們的韌性，已通過台灣民主的考驗。八年的執政經驗，以及在地方政府的亮麗表現，加上過去三年來的反省與重整，面對再度執政的機會，今天的民進黨是更有經驗，也更有準備。
在2012的大選，我們提出 ”Taiwan Next”作為競選主軸，因為我們要展望將來。過去艱困下的磨練，為我們打穩了基礎；現在，民進黨要成為負責任、可受監督的政府，來引領台灣面向未來。在國內，我們照顧人民對工作、經濟、社會福利、住宅、能源、環境等議題的需求；我們著重於社會正義的落實，讓台灣人民能夠享有公平、自由的選擇來確保生活品質。對國際，我們強調平衡和開放，尋求與世界，包括中國在內，積極交往，同時管理伴隨而來的風險。這種面向世界的特質，已成為台灣認同的一部份，而我們希望在台灣對世界開放的同時，國際社會也能給台灣一個開放的空間。
自從獲提名為民進黨總統候選人以來，我已訪問過歐洲、東南亞、美國等地；下星期一我將啟程前往日本。這些活動說明了民進黨對國際事務的重視。我在歐洲訪問時，著重於氣候及能源議題；在菲律賓，由於是參加國際自由聯盟大會，我和各國自由政黨代表討論了民主、人權，以及開放社會等相關問題。在美國，則加強伙伴關係的維繫，也與各界友人進行了幾場關於區域安全、兩岸關係的對話。下星期到日本─這個在歷史、文化上與台灣有特殊關係的國家─我們將持續強調區域合作。台灣在今年三月日本發生震災後迅速提供援助，展現出台灣人民有意願，也有能力為區域事務盡心盡力。我們是可靠的伙伴，可以共同面對挑戰，為區域貢獻。
作為一個政黨，民進黨已歷經好幾個發展階段；這麼多年來，我們有些改變，也有些是不變的。二十五年了，我們一向堅持提升人權、民主、社會正義等基本價值；我們堅持站在社會弱勢的一方，確保他們能有公平機會；為了增進台灣的國際參與，我們更是絲毫不敢懈怠。
但是，民進黨也有些階段性的調整。過去面對威權體制，我們的領導人沒有選擇，只能全力衝撞；而新一代的政治人物則必須在不同的領域上，如全球變化、外部威脅，以及日漸繁多的內部社經不安等，迅速累積經驗及專業，以符合人民的需要。因此，創黨元老當年面臨了勇氣的試煉，民進黨新生代領袖們目前面對的，則是治理能力的挑戰。
我們相信，民進黨贏得明年大選的方式，不是只靠批評現任政府的無能；我們要說服人民，相信我們比國民黨更稱職，更成熟；我們要提出政策選擇，證明民進黨更進步，更能貼近人民的需求；我們要成為弭平分裂，團結台灣人民的正向力量。
面對國際社會，我們將繼續透明公開的態度；不論是否在競選期間，我們都將與世界持續交往，確保我們的目標與利益能在國際間獲得充分瞭解。今天在場的人士，除了我的副手，蘇嘉全先生外，還有多位民進黨的政策顧問及同事，我們是一個團隊，不僅為了打贏選戰共同努力，更是為了帶領台灣，讓台灣成為國際社群中活躍的參與者、貢獻者。
非常感謝各位光臨，和我們一同慶祝民進黨的二十五歲生日，見證我們的成長。台灣的民主需要你們的支持，同時，不論選舉結果如何，各位都將發現，民進黨是個值得信賴的伙伴，是朋友，更是願意推動世界民主與進步的貢獻者。
現在我要邀請我的副手蘇嘉全先生來一起舉杯祝福我們的友誼以及民主。謝謝大家！
Distinguished guests of the diplomatic community, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
As Chair of the Democratic Progressive Party, it is my pleasure to welcome you here on this occasion of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the party. For many years, the DPP had the tradition of hosting an annual diplomatic reception to celebrate our anniversary. Unfortunately this tradition was suspended after 2008, when the party was going through a difficult period of recovery. I am happy that today we are able to resume this tradition of celebrating the growth of the DPP with our international friends.
My party has come a long way since September 28, 1986, when a group of courageous democracy activists, fearless of the threat to their lives and imprisonment, broke the Martial Law ban on political parties, to establish the DPP. Throughout the past twenty-five years, from street rallies to the offices of government, the DPP’s commitment to democracy and bettering the lives of the Taiwanese people has been unwavering. The DPP has played a pivotal role to promote the structural changes in our political system, mainly in the transition from a one-party authoritarian state to a multi-party and open democracy. But beyond that, the DPP has also championed a number of public policy issues that have brought about fundamental improvements to the quality of life in Taiwan.
Over and over again, our positions have been tested through debates and elections, and today we are able to stand strong with confidence, because we have demonstrated our resilience through trials in Taiwan’s democratic process. After eight years in national government, superb performance in local government, and over three years of reflection and reconstruction since 2008, the DPP today is more experienced and prepared than ever for the opportunity to govern again.
In the 2012 elections, we speak about “Taiwan Next,” for we want to look to the future. Our past struggles to overcome hardship serve as an important foundation for our strengthened resolve, but what we want to do is to lead Taiwan into the future through responsible and accountable government. Domestically, we are working hard to respond to the needs of the people, to address their concerns regarding jobs, the economy, social services, housing, energy, and the environment. We emphasize the need to realize true social justice, so that the Taiwanese people have fair and free opportunities to pursue a quality life. Internationally, we take a balanced and open approach, seeking to proactively engage with the world including China while at the same time working to manage the risks involved.The element of openness to the world has become part of the Taiwanese identity, and we hope the international community will be as open to Taiwan as we are to the world.
Since being nominated presidential candidate of the DPP, I have taken a number of trips abroad: to Europe, Southeast Asia, and the United States. And next Monday I will be traveling to Japan. These trips illustrate the importance the DPP places on our foreign relations.
On my visit to Europe, we emphasized dialogue on climate and energy issues; in the Philippines, where I attended the Congress of Liberal International along with many other liberal parties from around the world, we spoke about democracy, human rights, and open societies; in the United States, we worked to reinforce our partnership and had a number of conversations on regional security and cross-strait relations. Next week in Japan, a country which has a unique historical and cultural relationship with Taiwan, we will continue to emphasize regional cooperation. Taiwan’s immediate response to Japan’s tsunami tragedy earlier this year demonstrates that the people of Taiwan are willing and able to be reliable partners in the region, jointly dealing with challenges and contributing significantly to rebuilding and progress.
As a political party, the DPP has been through various stages of development. Over the years, some things have changed, and some have not. For twenty-five years, we have been persistent in promoting the fundamental values of human rights, democracy, and social justice; we have insisted on standing by the under-privileged and disadvantaged sectors, developing policies to ensure that they also have fair opportunities in society; we have also worked tirelessly to enhance Taiwan’s international participation.
But there are also some areas where the DPP has transformed in stages. While the leaders of the party in our early years had no choice but to put all of their efforts into dismantling the authoritarian system, the new generation has had to quickly accumulate expertise and experiences in a different set of challenges: global changes, external threats, and growing domestic social and economic insecurities. Therefore while the founding members were tested for their courage, the new generation of DPP leaders will be tested for our ability to manage and govern.
We believe that the way for the DPP to win in 2012 is not just by criticizing the current government’s incompetence. Instead, we shall win by convincing the people that we are more competent and mature than the KMT; we shall win by presenting policy choices that are more progressive and responsive to the real needs of the people; and we shallwin by being the positive force that transcends the divisiveness of the past, and unites the people of Taiwan.
To the international community, we will continue to be a transparent and open political party, and whether we are in the middle of elections or not, we will proactively engage to ensure that our goals and interests are well communicated. Present here today, in addition to my running mate Su Jia-Chyuan, are a number of DPP policy advisors and colleagues. We are a team, and collectively we will work on not only winning our elections, but in governing and making Taiwan an active participant and contributor in the international community.
Thank you again for coming here today to witness the DPP’s growth and to celebrate our 25th birthday. Taiwan’s democracy requires your support, and regardless of the outcome of the elections, you will find the DPP to be a reliable partner, friend, and a willing contributor to democracy and progress around the world.
Now, I would like to ask my running mate Su Jia-Chyuan to join me to propose a toast to our friendship and to democracy.
Thank you.