Taipei, March 15 (CNA) Independent presidential candidate James Soong reiterated on Wednesday his willingness to open dialogue with Beijing as a way of easing tension across the Taiwan Strait.
In an interview with US-based CNN, the former Taiwan provincial governor said that he will express the goodwill of the people of Taiwan and a willingness to open dialogue. He also said he will invite Wang Daohan, who is responsible for Beijing's contact with Taiwan, to visit Taiwan as a first step to easing bilateral ties.
Instead of the issue of reunification, the top priority on his agenda is to strike a peace accord with Beijing to avoid an arms race, in the hope that the eventual settlement of the Taiwan issue will be settled peacefully, he said.
The "three direct links" -- trade, postal and transportation -- which have been off-limits to the current administration, and other economic and social contacts, will also be open for dialogue if he wins on Saturday, he added.
The former secretary-general of the ruling Kuomintang played down the impact of "dirty campaign tricks" allegedly practiced by the KMT, saying he is confident that the people of Taiwan are mature enough to see through such ruses. (By Maubo Chang)
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