OPPORTUNITY: Chen Shui-bian said deteriorating China-US ties and a trade war have given Taiwan room to improve ties with Washington and raise its international stature
Taipei Times
Date: Sep 06, 2018
By: William Hetherington / Staff writer, with CNA
Taiwan must soon hold a referendum on the issue of independence, former president
Former president Chen Shui-bian gives a thumbs-up in Kaohsiung in an undated photograph. Photo copied by Ke Yu-hao, Taipei Times
Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) was quoted as saying by a Japanese daily in a front-page article yesterday.
The nation faces a serious crisis due to strong pressure from China and must hold a referendum to clearly demonstrate that the public “does not want to be a part of China,” Chen was quoted as saying.
Chen, who is not permitted to engage in formal interviews under the conditions of his medical parole, made the remarks at a seminar on Sunday. He was convicted on corruption charges in 2009, but was released on parole in 2015.
Reporters from the Sankei Shimbun spoke with Chen at the conference, which was also attended by the managing members of Taiwanese civic groups operating in Japan.
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