ponents to express their views on the upcoming referendums on the country's bid for U.N. membership. On the bid to apply for U.N. membership under the name "Taiwan," the proponents, represented by Legislator William Lai from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, likened the referendum to an "amulet" that could protect Taiwan.
But writer Lan Po-chou, representing the opposing side, said the referendum was merely a gimmick to trick voters into supporting the DPP in the presidential election.
Lai, speaking in the Taiwanese dialect throughout the debate, said Taiwan has been denied U.N. membership not because it is not qualified, but because China has been standing in the way and trying to annex the island.
He said results of public opinion polls, no matter how much support they show in favor of the U.N. entry bid, cannot be as effective as a formal referendum.
The DPP proposed the "U.N. for Taiwan" referendum in response to the public demand, the legislator said.
Taiwan must not be intimidated by China into giving up its right to hold referendums, as human beings battle not only for survival, but also for dignity, he said.
The DPP-proposed referendum will take place on March 22 alongside the presidential election.
Another related referendum proposed by the opposition Kuomintang will be held at the same time. The KMT referendum asks voters to support the Republic of China's bid to reenter the United Nations.
The KMT has shown little interest in the referendums, with persistent calls from the opposition camp for voters to boycott both referendums.
But Lai urged voters to support both referendums, saying a boycott will send the wrong message to the international community that Taiwan is a part of China.
The referendums offer an opportunity to resolve internal differences over national identity, he added.
Although passing the referendums does not mean Taiwan will be admitted to the United Nations, it will serve as a consensus on which the nation's long-term will be founded, he said.
The result of the referendums will also prevent the next president from "selling out" Taiwan's interests in favor of China, he argued.
"The referendums are like an amulet for Taiwan -- externally they protect Taiwan's sovereignty and ensure its safety; internally they help reach a consensus," said Lai.
Lan, arguing against the DPP-proposed referendum, criticized Lai for not using Mandarin, a language understood by all the people in Taiwan, in the debate.
He said it demonstrated the DPP's "violent" attitude towards the use of language.
Lan claimed the referendum is "absurd and ridiculous," and a waste of public resources.
He argued U.N. membership rules are clearly written in the international body's charter, and nothing will happen even if the referendum is passed.
"The referendum is only meant to fool voters into backing the ruling party in the presidential election. Shame on the DPP," he said.
He challenged the DPP government to declare Taiwan's independence before attempting to gain a seat in the United Nations.
He said the DPP must clearly explain its claims that Taiwan's status remains uncertain.
"The DPP must not distort the international reality and international law, it must not refuse to face the fact that most countries recognize that Taiwan is part of China."
During another CEC-arranged debate on the KMT-proposed referendum, Cheng Lai-wen, representing the main opposition party, said it would help create consensus and fully authorize the government in making foreign policy.
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