MAC SAYS NO NEED TO RETRACT 'SPECIAL STATE-TO-STATE' THEORY
Taipei, Aug. 18 (CNA) Taiwan on Wednesday again turned down a request by mainland China that it retract the "special state-to-state relations" theory in regard to cross-strait relations.
Mainland Affairs Council Chairman Su Chi said that the theory spelled out by President Lee Teng-hui early last month simply seeks to clarify the reality across the Taiwan Strait, and there is no need for the Republic of China government to retract it.
Premier Vincent Siew made the same comment Tuesday in response to mainland Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen's remarks that the "special state-to-state' theory is purely Lee's own view and that Beijing is waiting for Taipei to retract the theory so as to pave the way for the opening of cross-strait political negotiations.
Su was responding to reports that Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office has openly asked Taipei to abandon the theory, saying that by doing so and returning to the "one China" principle, the mainland will be able to resume dialogues with Taiwan on political, economic as well as a wide range of other issues.
Su asked Beijing not to set any preconditions or barriers to the improvement of cross-strait exchanges.
He said that judging from the results of various surveys, President Lee's redefinition of cross-strait relations has won the support of most people in Taiwan.
"The theory is the voice of a majority of people, and the next ROC president, whoever he will be, will not deviate from it," Su said.
Su reiterated that Taiwan welcomes the scheduled fall visit to the island by Wang Daohan, chairman of the Beijing-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS). "We have been very sincere in continuing constructive dialogue with the mainland," he said. (By Bear Lee)
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