CEP0005 [07/14/99 15:32:20] PD5K6014.
CEP-->SOFIA
07-14-99
PRESIDENT LEE REAFFIRMS NO CHANGE IN ROC'S MAINLAND POLICY
Taipei, July 14 (CNA) President Lee Teng-hui reaffirmed on
Wednesday that the Republic of China's policy toward mainland China
remains unchanged.
Lee made the reaffirmation while meeting with Darryl N. Johnson,
outgoing director of the Taipei office of the American Institute in
Taiwan (AIT), which represents US interests in Taiwan in the absence
of official ties.
Johnson bade farewell to President Lee as he will soon leave for
home after three years of service in Taipei. During their talks,
Johnson asked Lee his views on relations across the Taiwan Strait.
In response, Lee said his recent description of cross-strait
relations as "special state-to-state relations" does not represent
any change in the ROC's policy toward mainland China.
"In fact, our mainland policy remains unchanged," Lee said,
adding that there is not any change in the ROC's stance and attitude
toward cross-strait exchanges and dialogue.
In an interview with Germany's Deutsche Welle radio station
last Saturday, Lee defined cross-strait ties as "special
state-to-state" relations. The remarks have drawn strong criticism
from Beijing.
Lee told Johnson that his definition is based on historical,
legal and practical viewpoints, adding he is convinced that a
more detailed and unequivocal definition will be conducive to the
development of cross-strait relations in the long run.
For his part, Johnson expressed his gratitude for all the
assistance and support extended to him by President Lee and various
ROC government agencies during his three-year stint in Taipei.
Foreign Minister Jason Hu, Ding Mou-shih, a senior adviser to
the President, and Lin Pi-chao, deputy secretary-general to the
President were also present at the Lee-Johnson meeting.
(By Sofia Wu)
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