Addressing a state affairs conference, Tsai said proposing a 10-year plan while in opposition reflected the DPP's ambition and the recognition that many of the country's fundamental problems need a decade to be solved.

Tsai tried to contrast the idea of the platform with the ruling party's approach to governance.

“The ruling Kuomintang (KMT) regained power with an authoritarian and conservative mindset, and the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou was not prepared to rule the county,” Tsai said.

Instead of drafting a comprehensive and long-term development program for Taiwan, the KMT has resorted to short-term approaches to rule the country, she added.

The China-leaning stance of Ma administration has blurred the fact that Taiwan and China remain under separate rule and makes many people feel that Taiwan is poised to be united with China, she argued.

Although a high percentage of Taiwan's people view themselves as Taiwanese, that does not mean they are fully aware of the importance of Taiwan's independent sovereignty, Tsai contended.

“The DPP must continue working hard to raise public awareness about Taiwan's independent statehood and help the people strengthen their identification with this country,” she said.

According to C.S. Liu, deputy director of the DPP's Policy Research and Coordinating Committee, the DPP will draft the platform with the aim of helping Taiwan prepare for the possible challenges of the coming decade.

The “10-year” platform will touch on a wide range of issues, including the economy, population, carbon reduction, government finances and the development of national territory, Liu said.