• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Lien reaffirms Lee's mainland policy

March 7, 2000 The China Post

Vice President Lien Chan said yesterday he would expect ties with Beijing to be conducted on a "state-to-state' basis, but denied his moves would be dictated by current President Lee Teng-hui if he wins the March 18 election. "Party is the most crucial basis for solving problems and improving relations between the two sides," Lien told the Taipei Foreign Correspondents Club, at a briefing dominated by cross-strait concerns.

Asked his position on Lee's "two-state theory," Lien affirmed that it was the constant position of the country"---a description of fact that did not "add or subtract anything from the present mainland policy." "Lee's policy is the policy of this country. It's not a personal policy," Lien insisted, countering speculation that he will distance himself from the president's controversial formula.

But he again stressed that a return to the "one China" principle with each side adopting its own interpretation was the key to detente. Asked how to reconcile the concept of "one China" with the issue of Taiwan's sovereignty, Lien reiterated that the Republic of China has been a sovereign state since 1912, and is not a "local authority" as claimed by the mainland.

Beijing has stepped up its rhetoric ahead of Taiwan's presidential election, threatening for the first time to invade the island if its government stalls indefinitely on unification talks.

The KMT candidate said that "when the time is ripe" both sides could talk about anything, but added that it was too early to start setting the agenda at present. He said he hoped Wang Daohan, PRC's top negotiator, could visit Taiwan soon after the election. Wang's visit, originally scheduled for last fall, was indefinitely postponed by Beijing in protest at President Lee's assertion of statehood.

Lien stopped short of affirming warnings from his party that a victory for the opposition Democratic Progressive Party would cause a stock market crash of a mainland Chinese missile attack.

But he warned that any move toward formal independence would bring "nothing but disaster" and argued that he and running mate Vincent Siew were best equipped to handle cross-strait contacts.

Attempting to dispel beliefs that he will toe his predecessor's line if elected, Lien insisted he would "have the full responsibility and power" to handle top policy issues concerning national security and public welfare. But he also said it would be "natural" for him to consult Lee on major national issues.