Dr. Theresa Chen This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. FAPA - News Release

   www.fapa.org/fapanews/fapanews - [Cached]

   Published on: 5/1/2000   Last Visited: 6/5/2008

   It was both conciliatory in tone and was generally well-received, in the end buying Chen some breathing space from China's threats.
   ...
   Chen also called Taiwan "our eternal mother," and shouted out, "Long live the people of Taiwan," while only wishing for the well-being of the Republic of China.Chen gave the impression he was stressing his identification with Taiwan.
   
   Chen also made reference to China and Taiwan's common history of colonial domination, but only to underscore the different historical trajectories of the two countries that can be traced back more than 300 years.
   
   Furthermore, many strategic positions in the new administration -- including mainland and foreign affairs, education, culture and even the National Palace Museum -- were given to people with a strong Taiwanese identity.Several important figures in Taiwan's independence movement were also appointed as presidential advisors.
   
   Deeds are always more powerful than mere words and Beijing's mistrust of Chen will not be solved with just one speech.Beijing will continue to pressure Chen to accept the "one China" principle, even if it has been unable so far to find Taiwan's pressure point.
   ...
   Chen tried to chart a carefully plotted middle course.But he would be sacrificing Taiwan's sovereignty if he admitted to the "one China" principle.None of his challengers in the March elections would have accepted the formula.
   ...
   "Many people say it's an honor to be named a presidential advisor in Taiwan," Dr. Chen said."I take it as recognition of FAPA's work in improving U.S.-Taiwan relations.I think it will give FAPA a communication channel to the president.That may be one of the most important benefits of being named advisor."
   
   Dr. Chen also noted that the appointment would help with publicity."Many more people will know FAPA in Taiwan," he said.
   
   Official notification of this appointment has not yet been received.In April, Chang Chun-hsiung called Dr. Chen and spoke to him briefly about the position.
   
   Dr. Chen said he would wait for the official notification for more details."I've not been officially notified of the duties and responsibilities [of the position], or of the role I'd play," he noted.
   
   "I don't know the conditions of the appointment, and whether I can accept it or not given the fact that I'm a U.S. citizen," Chen said.He explained that government officials in Taiwan must be of Taiwanese citizenship only, but that the qualifications for the advisory board may be different.However, he said he believed that the president named him based on the assumption he met the position requirements.
   ...
   Theresa Chen is a first-year FAPA intern from Cary, North Carolina.She is the daughter of Hwei-ling and Yue-shen Chen.Theresa is a sophomore, with an English/Journalism double major, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.She is a staff writer for The Daily Tar Heel, as well as a member of the UNC Symphony, and the fiction staff for Cellar Door Literary Magazine.
   
   Theresa's previous involvement with the Taiwanese American community and political affairs include co-organizing youth group programs for both the North Carolina Taiwanese American Association and the South Eastern Taiwanese American Association summer conference, and petition work for both World Health Organization and Taiwan Security Enhancement Act legislation.During her free time Theresa enjoys playing the cello and writing.