| Lee Teng-hui, the first Taiwanese-born president of the Republic of China, ruled Taiwan from 1988 to 2000. During his twelve-year presidency, Lee first continued his party's long-standing policy of "one China" and reunification with mainland China, but gradually he abandoned the "one China" policy and shared the views and goods of the pro-independence forces in Taiwan. Finally, he became the leader for Taiwan's independence movement. Lee initiated and supported several concepts that led Taiwan towards independence. These concepts included "one country, two political entities," the different identities between the Chinese and the Taiwanese, and "special state-to-state relationship," inspiring pro-Taiwan independence forces in Taiwan. Lee also weakened and divided his own Nationalist Party, which continued to hold to the policy of "one China" and pursue Taiwan's final unification with China. Lee's policies resulted in defeat of the Nationalist Party in the 2000 presidential election by the Democratic Progressive Party, the main pro-independence force and opposition party. Lee continued to promote Taiwan's independence after his presidency. This thesis examines how President Lee helped pro-independence forces to end the Nationalist Party's fifty-five year rule and pushed Taiwan towards independence. |
