Taipei, July 30 (CNA) The following is the full text of the statement made by Strait Exchange Foundation Chairman (SEF) Koo Chen-fu on Friday:
In response to a German reporter's inquiry about the fact that "the Beijing government views Taiwan as a renegade province" during an interview with Deutsche Welle radio, President Lee specifically pointed out that the definition of the cross-strait relationship is "at least a special state-to-state relationship." President Lee's remarks clearly spelled out the reality that the ROC is a sovereign state and reflected the opinion of 22 million people in the democratic Taiwan. They also emphasize the fact that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are ruled separately and on an equal basis.
President Lee's remarks of a "special relationship" at this juncture are primarily to lay a foundation of parity between the two sides for elevating the level of dialogue and to facilitate the mechanisms of democracy and peace. Therefore, the top government officials at various levels have repeatedly declared that there is no change in our policy of promoting in cross-strait dialogue, implementing bilateral agreements including those reached at the Koo-Wang talks, and pursuing our stated goal of a future China unified under democracy, freedom, and prosperity. Any attempts to oversimplify President Lee's remarks as a "two states theory" will not only distort its original meaning but also lead to misunderstanding and speculations.
In the five decades since the PRC was established in 1949, China has been divided into two parts across the Taiwan Strait and ruled separately by two sovereign states. This has naturally resulted in a divided China characterized by a special relationship across the strait. President Lee's remarks of a "special state-to-state relationship" carries the following meanings: First, the shared cultural and ethnic origins have cultivated a very unique affection between the two sides. Second, the intensifying cross-strait exchanges in civil, commercial, as well as other sectors are unparalleled when compared with other divided countries past or present. Third, and most importantly, both sides should have the common will to pursue a unified China in the future by engaging in negotiations on the basis of parity.
In 1992, the Straits Exchange Foundation reached a verbal consensus with its counterpart, the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, on "One China with each side being entitled to its respective interpretation." When our delegation met with the people concerned on the mainland last year, each side again made clear its respective stance, enabling the other side to realize that differences continue to exist. However, what was valuable was that both sides were still willing to seek common ground through dialogue and communication. Unfortunately, since then the PRC has been continuously expanding its "one China formula" to deny our existence and to suggest that China is already unified and the ROC is nothing but a local government. What we see as "one China" is something for the future since China at the present is divided and ruled separately by two equal sovereign states in existence at the same time, hence a special state-to-state relationship. As President Lee pointed out on July 20 this year that "one-China" will be created only after a democratic unification across the Strait is realized. That each of the two sides presents a different interpretation of its position in consultations is merely a necessary stage in the process of seeking common ground despite differences. Chairman Jiang Zemin also has stated that "So long as both sides engage in negotiations based on parity, a mutually acceptable resolution will eventually be found." As one side is allowed to express its position, it should also accept the other side express its position as well. Neither should deny the existence of the other. Only through negotiations based on parity can they enjoy the full support of the people.
The meeting I had with Mr. Wang Daohan is Singapore six years ago created a valuable new environment for progress in the cross-strait relationship. Again, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my most sincere welcome to Mr. Wang because communication is more urgently needed especially when there are differences. Even a look around Taiwan by Mr. Wang will be helpful for improving mutual understanding. Mr. Wang's planned visit in autumn carries in itself a creative and historical significance as the cross-strait relationship soon will be entering into the next millennium. We believe that we can discuss any topics in the continuous.
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