DATE=2/17/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TAIWAN POLITICS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259251
BYLINE=DERRICK MCEHLERON
DATELINE=TAIPEI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Taiwan's Vice President Lien Chan says if
he wins the island's upcoming presidential
election, he would be willing to enter into
official talks with China and ease long-standing
trade restrictions. But as we here from Derrick
McElheron in Taipei, the ruling party's
presidential hopeful says peace will only come to
the Taiwan Strait, if Beijing makes a goodwill
offer in return.
TEXT: The Nationalist Party's presidential
candidate, Lien Chan, says he would be willing to
visit China and engage in a dialogue with Chinese
President Jian Zamin with the hope of improving
cross-strait ties. Mr. Lien delivered his long-
awaited China policy speech Thursday, in the run-
up to the island1s March 18th presidential
election,
But the Vice President tempered his offer to
China by saying it could only be carried out if
Beijing ends its hostility towards Taiwan.
Vice President Lien says he hopes, in his words,
"Chinese can stop fighting Chinese and let the
world see a Taiwan Strait without gunfire."
But Mr. Lien also reaffirmed Taiwan President Lee
Teng-hui's position that China and Taiwan's
relations should be defined as a "special state-
to-state relationship." That formulation has
infuriated Beijing. He added that Taiwan could
not accept the "one country-two systems"
approach currently being used to facilitate Hong
Kong and Macau's return to Chinese sovereignty.
He says that would limit the island1s democratic
freedom.
Vice President Lien adds if relations are to
improve, Beijing must stop pressuring the island
to accept the "one country-two systems" formula.
The Nationalist Party presidential candidate says
if talks between the two sides are good natured
and productive, Taipei could be willing to
discuss the opening of direct postal, business
and travel links and the relaxation of trade and
investment restrictions.
He adds, however, those trade talks must be under
the framework of the World Trade Organization,
which both China and Taiwan are trying to join.
Since the two sides split in 1949, Taiwan has
banned direct shipping and air links with the
mainland for what are called security reasons.
Most of the 20 billion dollars in annual trade
between the two flows through Hong Kong.
Vice President Lien's speech comes at a time when
he desperately needs a political boost.
Most polls place the Vice President third in a
tight three-way race involving the official
opposition candidate, Chen Shui Bien, of the
Democratic Progressive Party and maverick
independent, James Soong.
Analysts say Mr. Lien's long-awaited China policy
proposals are not much different from those made
by the other two main candidates.
NEB/DM/FC
17-Feb-2000 03:36 AM EDT (17-Feb-2000 0836 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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