Taipei, July 20 (CNA) Republic of China President Lee Teng-hui on Tuesday reiterated his definition of cross-Taiwan Strait relations as a "special state-to-state relationship," but did not deny the "one China" concept.
However, he noted, "one China" can be realized only after a democratic reunification in the future.
The president made the remarks while receiving a group of Rotarians at the Presidential Office.
Mainland China's description of Taiwan as a "renegade province" was termed by Lee as "complete ignorance of historical and legal facts."
He said mainland China's rule has never extended to the Taiwan area since its establishment in 1949, adding that after the 1991 revision of the Republic of China Constitution, the area covered by the Constitution was restricted to Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu.
The cross-strait relationship has been defined as a state-to-state or, at least, a special state-to-state relationship, not a relationship between one central government and one local government, pointed out the president.
Despite Beijing's criticism of his definition, Lee said that Taipei will continue to push for cross-strait exchanges with caution, and will take a positive attitude to promote dialogue and consultation on an equal basis.
Taiwan will also continue improving its democratic system, pursuing stable economic growth, and strengthening contact with the international community to protect Taiwan's survival and development, he went on.
He expressed the hope that his countrymen will have more confidence in the government, because strength derives from confidence and with confidence, problems can be resolved step-by-step.
An unofficial translation of Lee's transcript by CNA is as follows:
Today I am pleased to have the opportunity to meet with the representatives from Rotary International District 3470. First let me express my appreciation and respect for your long-time outstanding contributions to social reconstruction.
Since I assumed the presidency, the issues that have most concerned me, and to which I have been paying the closest attention are the country's future and development.
In the past nearly one decade, we have completed phased reforms of economic liberalization, political democratization and social diversification. It is important that we formulate our next goal after we have explored and opened a broad development space.
Although the direction of the nation's development should be decided by consensus by all our countrymen, it is my responsibility as head of state to offer my experience, logic, and what I have gained from my long-term observation as references for my countrymen.
That is why I recently published a book, "With the People Always in my Heart," in the hope that my beloved Taiwan countrymen and enthusiastic foreign friends will understand the hearty voices of Taiwan and understand Taiwan's past and future. Today I have prepared copies of the book for each of you.
The other day, I was interviewed by the Deutsche Welle radio station. The interviewer raised seven questions.
In the first question, I was asked to express my opinions on the fact that while Taiwan has achieved much in its development in the past few years, and politics has also been democratized, mainland China deems Taiwan a renegade province, thus affecting the stability of the Taiwan Strait.
The interviewer then asked me how I would deal with the issue that if Taiwan declares independence, many problems will arise, but at the same time the Taiwan people are unwilling to accept Beijing's "one country, two systems" model.
I told them, we have to see these questions from three aspects -- reality, history and law.
In the past more than 10 years, although the development of cross-strait relations has accumulated some results thanks to us, the mainland Chinese authorities have ignored the fact that the two sides of the strait are under two distinct administrations. They continue to use military intimidation against us, leading to the result that cross-strait relations are unable to be fundamentally improved.
According to mainland China, "one China" refers to the People's Republic of China, and Taiwan is simply a local government or a renegade province. That is the reason cross-strait relations are unable to enjoy a fundamental improvement.
In fact, since its establishment in 1949, communist China's rule has never extended to Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, the areas under the jurisdiction of the Republic of China.
After the 1991 revision of the Constitution, the amended and added Article 10 (now Article 11) scales down the area covered by the Constitution to Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu. It also recognizes the PRC's legitimate jurisdiction on the mainland.
When Straits Exchange Foundation Chairman Koo Chen-fu visited the mainland last year, he especially mentioned two points: 1) Taiwan and the mainland are on an equal footing; and 2) We have gained concrete achievements in promoting democratic politics on Taiwan, and therefore the mainland should also promote democratization. Only by so doing can the country arrive at a genuine consensus.
Amended and added Article 1 and Article 4 also stipulate that members of the Legislative Yuan and the National Assembly shall be elected from the Taiwan area only.
In the 1992 constitutional reform, amended and added Article 2 states that the president and the vice president shall be directly elected by the people.
Through these moves, the national institutions represent only the people residing in the Taiwan area, and the legitimate right to govern the state is derived only from the people of the Taiwan area, and have nothing to do with the people of mainland China.
Since the 1991 revision of the Constitution, the cross-strait relationship has been defined as a state-to-state or, at least, a special state-to-state relationship. It is not a relationship between one legitimate government and one renegade group, or a "one China" internal relationship between one central government and one local government.
"One China" does not currently exist, and can emerge only after a democratic reunification. Therefore, for mainland China to regard Taiwan as a "renegade province" shows complete ignorance of historical and legal facts on the part of Beijing.
Regarding the development of the cross-Taiwan Strait situation, we will continue to push for cross-strait exchanges cautiously and to positively promote bilateral dialogue and consultation based on an equal footing.
We will continue to better our democratic system, to pursue stable economic growth and to positively strengthen contact with the international community, so as to ensure our survival and development. We must engage in interaction with mainland China on an equal status.
I request your understanding. We should maintain confidence. I ask you also to have more confidence in the government, because confidence is the source of overall strength. With confidence, many problems can be resolved step by step.
Ladies and gentlemen, all government measures can be implemented smoothly only with the support of the public. All of you are important pillars of society. I hope you will display your influence to help the government attain its administrative goal, and make more contributions to the progress and development of the country and society based on your solid foundation. Finally, I wish all of you a good health and happiness.
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