2006-03-06
游主席二○○六年外交使節春酒午宴致詞稿
各位大使與駐台代表女士先生，總統府秘書長陳唐山，各位民進黨立法委員，各位貴賓，大家午安，大家好！
很高興各位貴賓大駕光臨民進黨二○○六年的春酒午宴。在座有許多我的老朋友，不過這是錫堃第一次以民進黨主席的身份，和大家見面，在未來一定有很多機會向各位討教，希望大家不吝賜教。
參與國際事務並促進國際合作，是本黨一貫的理想與重要工作。本黨之所以重視與國際社會的互動，是因為我們曾經深深感受過來自國際社會的關懷，不論是台海危機、九二一地震、或中國制訂反分裂法時，台灣人民都不曾感到孤單。因此，台灣人民一向樂於回饋這個地球村，在非洲各友邦有常設的醫療團隊及農耕隊；在中東地區我們捐贈生活物資給受戰亂之苦的人民；南亞海嘯，民進黨中常委更透過友黨，以幹部們的一日所得，幫助印尼、泰國和斯里蘭卡的災民重建家園。
民主和人權是台灣人民的寶貴資產，也是全球的普世價值。我們相信透過跨國的政黨交流，能將台灣成功的民主轉型經驗，與世界各國人士分享。這幾年來，民進黨藉著邀請資深黨工到各國了解各國政情，並拜會各政黨以建立友誼；我們也接待各國貴賓來台訪問，讓世界認識台灣，也讓台灣走向國際。另外，本人也希望以執政黨主席的身分出國訪問，面對面地與各國傳達我們的理念與政策。
在建立多邊關係合作上，民進黨也在亞洲自由民主聯盟（CALD）與國際自由聯盟（LI）中扮演非常活躍的角色。透過這些國際交流平台，我們期待透過與其他亞洲政黨對話與互動，共同推動民主價值理念的落實，進一步有利於亞太地區的區域穩定。
各位都相當瞭解，台灣的外交困境，必須突破中國層層的封鎖與打壓，相當不容易，但台灣不會悲觀、也不會氣餒！各位可能注意到，近來台灣主要政黨對於國家前途所提出的觀點，已經向「住民自決」的方向凝聚，由台灣人民決定台灣的前途。這已是無可抵擋的趨勢，也符合民進黨一貫的理念。我們將在這主流的道路上前進，一步步建立國家主體性，捍衛主權獨立，並團結一致對抗外來的威脅與恫嚇。
展望國際局勢，民主進步黨有信心在外交行動上，結合民間的資源，繼續推動政黨、國會、以及非政府組織外交，努力使台灣走出去，要讓世界感動，支持民主台灣，也支持台灣人民擁有選擇自己前途的權利。各位與台灣人民間有堅定的友誼，我也要請各位和我們站在一起，協助將台灣的聲音傳達到世界。
最後，讓我們一起舉杯，祝各位貴賓今年事事順心如意，各國國運昌隆，更期待我們的友誼長存！
謝謝！乾杯。
DPP Spring Reception
Chairman Yu Shyi-kun
Ambassadors, Foreign representatives, Secretary General to the Office of the President Mr. Mark Chen, esteemed guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon!
Today, it gives me great pleasure to receive all our honored guests for our 2006 Spring Reception. I see many friends seated here, even though I host this reception for the first time as chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party. In the future, I hope to welcome more opportunities to meet with you and learn from your different opinions.
International participation and cooperation has always been an important element of the DPP’s work. We truly value our interactions with the international community because over the years, we have felt the care and concern expressed by the international society as we confronted challenges such as the 1996 Taiwan Strait crisis, the 921 Earthquake, and China’s passing of the Anti-Secession Law. The people of Taiwan have never been alone. Hence Taiwanese people have always been happy to contribute back to the global village. For example, Taiwan has established ongoing agricultural and medical missions in our African allied countries; shipped goods to victims of war in the Middle East; and during South Asia’s tsunami aftermath, members of the DPP’s Central Standing Committee donated part of their salaries to assist victims in Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka.
Democracy and human rights are precious assets to the people of Taiwan. They also represent the world’s common values. We believe that international exchanges among political parties contributed to Taiwan’s transformation to democracy. In the past few years, the DPP has organized senior staff study and training missions to observe political events and elections in other countries, deepening our understanding and friendship with other like-minded political parties around the world. . Similarly, we have welcomed guests and visitors, working to build greater understanding of Taiwan among our international friends, and making Taiwan a citizen of the world. In the coming months, I hope to travel abroad as chairman of the party in order to convey face-to-face the DPP’s platform and policies.
In regards to establishing multilateral relationships, the DPP has played an active role in the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats and in Liberal International. Through these international platforms, we have been able to promote democracy, and we have advanced stability in the Asian region.
Everyone is able to comprehend Taiwan’s international difficulty when facing the increasing blockade and pressure from China. Nevertheless, Taiwan will not be pessimistic and will never be discouraged! Everyone has noticed that recently, Taiwan’s main political parties have been able to amass a direction of “self-determination”, giving the people of Taiwan the right to decide their own future. This is already an irreversible trend, and it is also consistent with long-time ideals of the DPP. We hope to pursue this pathway of the mainstream, forge step-by-step a “national consciousness” to protect our sovereignty and independence, and to collectively oppose any external threats.
In the international realm, the DPP is confident that combining the resources and talents of our people, we will earnestly continue carrying out more diplomatic exchanges between political parties, the parliaments and other non-governmental organizations. Our efforts are to put Taiwan onto the international stage, to touch the hearts of the world so that others will support Taiwan’s democracy and respect the right of the people of Taiwan to have the choice in determining their own future. I know all of you have a deep and solid friendship with the people of Taiwan, and I want to invite you to stand by us and help the world hear Taiwan’s voice.
In conclusion, let us raise our glasses to toast for prosperity, success, and for our ever-lasting friendship! Cheers!
