DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen announced the establishment of its think tank yesterday, which will be devoted to the research of various social, economic and diplomatic issues in order to give the party a solid intellectual basis for its future policies. Tsai also took the opportunity to express her views on the future of cross-strait relationship, which is expected to be hotly debated in the presidential race next year.

The DPP's new think tank was established with funds that Tsai Ing-wen received during her failed New Taipei City mayor campaign and officially began operating on Wednesday.

Tsai, who is serving as the chairwoman of the think tank, says that the think tank will conduct research on Taiwan's social and economic development and propose feasible policies for Taiwan's international strategy and cross-strait development.

According to Tsai, Taiwan and China's social environments are extremely different and Taiwan should focus on its identity and not fall into the box set up by China.

She further said that Taiwan should adopt a multi-system approach to negotiating with China. As Tsai is fighting for the party's presidential nomination in 2012, her speech was seen as a preview of her platform.

Analysts say that the DPP's chances in 2012 will depend on its cross-strait policy. Former Premier Frank Hsieh has proposed a "constitutional consensus" to replace the "92 consensus," while former Vice President Annette Lu and former Premier Su Tseng-chang have proposed, respectively, a "96 consensus" and a "Taiwan consensus."

In other words, it remains to be seen whether DPP heavyweights will be able to put aside their own personal agendas for the good of the party.

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