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      In a recent exclusive interview with Deutsche Welle (Voice of Germany), President Lee Teng-hui designated cross-strait relations as a "special state-to-state relationship," once again demonstrating the government's consistently pragmatic and innovative mainland China policy.

      Over the years, we have been promoting a peaceful, equal, reciprocal, and constructive relationship with the Chinese mainland, in a spirit of goodwill and through concrete actions. However, Beijing has made no reciprocal favorable response. Instead, it has constantly continued to extend its own version of the "one-China principle" and the "one country, two systems" formula in order to suppress us in the international community, deliberately suspended the institutionalized consultations between the two sides, and thereby obstructed the normalization of cross-strait relations.

      As we face the development of cross-strait relations in the coming century, there is a need for us to clearly define the status of Taiwan and the mainland, in accordance with reality, so we will be able to uphold our dignity and achieve equality and increased opportunities in future cross-strait dialogue and consultations.

      We have made a clear definition of cross-strait relations which reflects reality; however, the ROC government's relevant policies remain unchanged. Our policy of promoting constructive dialogue and positive exchanges remains unchanged; our resolve to pursue a win-win situation in cross-strait relations remains unchanged; and our goal for a peaceful, democratic, and united new China in the future remains unchanged.

      On the basis of parity, the talks between Koo Chen-fu and Wang Daohan, scheduled for this autumn, will be an opportunity for in-depth dialogue, covering all possible issues, including highly political ones. Therefore, President Lee's declaration was not only pragmatic, but also forward-looking and constructive.

      We call on the Chinese mainland authorities to rationally face the political and legal realities of cross-strait relations and seriously appreciate the ROC's intention of promoting positive exchanges between both sides. Only in this way can we work together to usher in a normal and long-term relationship across the Strait.

      In view of these new circumstances, we must be fully prepared to seize the current opportunity and respond to changes. I would like the Ministries of Finance, Economic Affairs, National Defense, Transportation and Communications, and the Interior to carefully develop relevant responsive measures and to prepare our responses to meet probable changes.

      The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Mainland Affairs Council, and the Government Information Office must quickly undertake to explain this pragmatic and forward-looking statement to Beijing and the international community. The GIO and the MAC must also thoroughly enlighten the public, so that all our citizens will fully support our national policy with complete faith. I will convene a meeting within this week to examine the plans of the various ministries.