Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Subjects: special state-to-state relationship

MAC Vice Chairman Sheu Ke-sheng

at the July 30, 1999 Press Conference

His Reports:

       At an interview with CNN on July 29, MAC Chairman Su Chi explained the cross-strait relations, which was contained in a press release yesterday. We can see clearly from his statement that our description of cross-strait relations as ¡§special state-to-state relationship¡¨ was to clarify the reality. There is no fundamental change in the government¡¦s policy. It is very important to let the general public as well as the international community understand this point. This is why Chairman Su gave the interview with CNN.

Questions and Answers:

Q.        Recently President Lee Teng-hui and Chairman Su, while explaining the ¡§special state-to-state relationship,¡¨ also mentioned the concept of ¡§two equal entities¡¨. When interviewed, Chairman Su said that China is currently under two separate jurisdictions. These statements are very close to the concept of ¡§one China with separate jurisdiction¡¨ before. This interpretation signaled retraction from the most recent stand. Does this conflict with Chairman Su¡¦s announcement in his first press conference to discard out-dated terminology?

A.       This has nothing to do with retraction or advancement. Basically, the statements and explanations mean to reflect reality. Cross-strait relations are dynamic. What Chairman Su said during the CNN interview did not depart from the reality. The reality is just like what he said.

Q.       As for Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Koo Cheng-fu¡¦s response to Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait Chairman Wang Daohan, how is it going?

A.    I have no idea how it progresses. When SEF finalizes its statement, it will make an announcement.

Q.       Chairman Su mentioned yesterday that the other side might need some time to digest our idea. Did this indicate that our side would not consider responding to Wang in the near future?

A.       Not exactly. When a concept is proposed by one side, the other side certainly needs some time before fully understand the concept. Many people in the international community could not fully comprehend our proposal; therefore, reactions could differ. I think, after repeated explanation by our high-ranking officials on ¡§special state-to-state relationship¡¨, people around the world may realize that it is simply a reflection of reality, rather than a change. The government¡¦s policy toward the Mainland remains unchanged, the government¡¦s pursuit for a democratic unification has not changed, and the government¡¦s practices to promote exchanges and dialogues (with the Mainland) remain the same.

       What we did was simply to clarify the obscure positioning in order to prepare for the upcoming dialogues and negotiations in the future. That is all. On equal footing, the two sides can proceed with dialogues and negotiations on any issue. What the government pursues or asks for is to be treated equal in the cross-strait relations. According to Beijing¡¦s one China principle, PRC is the central government, and ROC is the local. This can never be accepted by our side.

Q.       SEF and ARATS reached an agreement in late June to promote exchange of visits of two delegations in late July or early August. So far, there have been no indications of such plans. Does it mean that we will postpone the exchanges?

A.    I believe that SEF will keep on preparing for the exchanges. We have reiterated our hope for Mr. Wang¡¦s visit to Taiwan as scheduled. This stance remains unchanged.

Q.       How will SEF Chairman Koo respond to ARATS Chairman Wang? By letter?

A.    I am not sure of the format. As all of you know, Mr. Wang expressed his positions, not through letter or in person, but through the media. Concerning the form of reply, SEF will make comprehensive efforts to clearly express Mr. Koo¡¦s position.

Q.       Will our side wait for Wang¡¦s letter before reacting?

A.       This is what you said. I just said we are still working on the preparation. When it is ready, and the final decision is made, everyone will be informed.

Q.       Three weeks have lapsed since the president proposed the ¡§special state-to-state relationship¡¨. What content will be included in the MAC¡¦s position paper?

A.       We are still working on it, because        the situation is still developing and changing.

Q.       Many people in Taiwan suspected that the around-the-island blackout on July 29 was caused by missiles fired from the other side. What is MAC¡¦s view?

A.       This is far-fetched somehow. Taiwan Power Company explained clearly that the blackout resulted from the failure of power transmitters. This is a purely technical issue.