DATE=5/20/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TAIWAN INAUGURATION (L)
NUMBER=2-262594
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=TAIPEI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Taiwan's new president, Chen Shui-bian, says
he will not declare independence nor do anything else
that China might consider provocative as long as
Beijing does not use force against the island. VOA
correspondent Roger Wilkison reports Mr. Chen was
sworn into office Saturday in Taiwan's first-ever
democratic transfer of power.
TEXT: Mr. Chen, whose election last March ushered in
a new political era for Taiwan after nearly 55 years
of Nationalist Party rule, was conciliatory toward
China, which views Taiwan as a rebel province and
mistrusts him because of his pro-independence past.
China has insisted that Mr. Chen should acknowledge
that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China despite
the fact that the island and the Chinese mainland have
been governed separately for the past 51 years.
Beijing has threatened to use force against Taiwan if
it moves toward formal independence or drags its heels
on entering reunification talks with China.
Though Mr. Chen rejects Beijing's insistence on the
one-China principle as a precondition for talks, he
wants to make sure China has no reason to accuse him
of provoking a war.
Speaking through an interpreter at his inaugural
ceremony, the new Taiwanese leader said he will take
no step that might increase confrontation with
Beijing.
/////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////
As long as the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) regime
has no intention to use military force against Taiwan,
I pledge that, during my term in office, I will not
declare independence.
/////END ACTUALITY/////
Mr. Chen says he will not change the island's official
name from the Republic of China to the Republic of
Taiwan, include the description of Taiwan's relations
with China as those between two states in the
Constitution, nor promote a referendum on independence
versus reunification.
Mr. Chen acknowledges that people on both sides of the
Strait share the same ancestry, culture and history.
And he says that, despite their separation, the two
sides can at least begin a process of reconciliation.
/////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////
We believe that the leaders on both sides possess
enough wisdom and creativity to jointly deal with the
question of a future "one China".
/////END ACTUALITY/////
Although he acknowledges the progress China has made
in the past 20 years, Mr. Chen says prosperous Taiwan
offers its people something more than just a better
standard of living.
/////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////
Under the leadership of Mr. Deng Xiaoping and Mr.
Jiang Zemin, the mainland has created a miracle of
economic openness. In Taiwan, over a half century,
not only have we created a miracle economy. We have
also created the political marvel of democracy.
/////END ACTUALITY/////
Mr. Chen, who was elected on a platform of domestic
reform, devoted most of his speech to such home-front
issues as social welfare, housing, and medical care.
His aides say he needs peace with China so he can
concentrate on building a legislative coalition in the
opposition-dominated parliament to pass his reforms.
Whether or not he will enjoy such breathing space is
now up to Beijing. (signed)
NEB/RW/PLM
20-May-2000 03:34 AM EDT (20-May-2000 0734 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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