Taipei, Feb. 14 (CNA) Independent Presidential candidate James Soong reiterated on Monday that the two sides of Taiwan Strait must lower their confrontation and reopen dialogue channels and sign a peaceful non-invasion treaty.
In an exclusive interview with Japan's NHK TV station, Soong also stressed that he will do whatever he can to further promote relations between Taiwan and Japan if he wins the March 18 presidential election.
Asked to comment on President Lee Teng-hui's contributions to Taiwan during his 12 years in office, Soong said that in the early part of his tenure, Lee implemented democratization and localization programs and direct presidential elections, and also reformed the aging parliament, all of which conformed with mainstream public opinion.
However, he went on, Lee carried out the second stage of the constitutional reform which has caused a constitutional crisis, especially in letting the National Assembly extend the tenure of its members.
He has also no regard for the democratic constitutional regulations, evident in his public support as president of the country for the ruling Kuomintang presidential candidate, and his use of government agencies to support the ruling party candidate, according to Soong, who claimed that the electorate has reserved its opinion of Lee's attitude.
Speaking on his mainland China policy, Soong repeated the importance of "dialogue" and "interchanges," and added his hope that political dialog will lower the confrontation across the Taiwan Strait. He also said the two sides of Taiwan Strait should avoid "pocket book" diplomatic contests.
However, he also said Taiwan should build up its national defense capability as Beijing has not ruled out taking Taiwan by force.
Asked about Lee's special "state-to-state relationship" statement, Soong said that mainstream Taiwan public opinion is opposed to "immediate reunification" or "immediate independence," and noted that his future mainland China policy will be made based on these factors. He stressed that he will not easily push the Taiwan people into a war.
Speaking on Taiwan-Japan relations, Soong said Taiwan can play a "buffer" role in China-Japan relations. He also noted that he has traveled around more than 30 Japanese prefectures, and admires very much the Japanese spirit of teamwork.
Soong said that he will not go back to the KMT if he is elected, and criticized Vice President Lien Chan for what he termed his inability to carry out KMT reforms. (By Edward Chen)
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