By C.M. Huang CNA Staff Writer
Taipei, March 16 (CNA) As relations between the Republic of China on Taiwan and mainland China turn more tense before Taiwan's presidential election, its policy toward the mainland becomes a top issue in the presidential campaigns.
It is quite natural for the five presidential candidates to focus their attention on mainland policy because people in Taiwan have for decades lived under the Communists' threat to invade the island. Communist leaders from Deng Xiaoping to Jiang Zemin have never ruled out the possibility of using force to take Taiwan if the island declares independence.
As recently as last month, the Beijing government issued a white paper in which it said Beijing will attack Taiwan if its leaders refuse to negotiate with mainland China on the reunification of the motherland. And on Wednesday, Premier Chu Jongji hinted at a press conference in Beijing that mainland China may start the attack if a candidate whose party is pro-independence is elected.
Chu warned at the press conference that mainland China is ready to "shed blood" to prevent Taiwan from breaking away. All signs show that Beijing has become impatient with the slow progress of the reunification efforts.
Each of the five candidates has said in his platform that he will work out means to improve ties between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland and to secure peace in the Taiwan Strait.
The five candidates are: Lien Chan from the ruling Kuomintang (KMT); Chen Shui-bian from the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP); two independent candidates James Soong and Hsu Hsin-liang, who is a former DPP chairman; and scholar and writer Li Ao, who runs for the New Party. All are aware of the importance of improving relations with mainland China and avoiding action that may provoke Beijing.
All five have featured the maintenance of peace in the Taiwan Strait as an important part of their campaign platforms, although each is slightly different from the others.
Lien Chan, the current vice president, said Taiwan should not seek independence because the Republic of China has been a sovereign state since 1912. He said Taiwan should not hurry to reunify with mainland China before the right time: when the democratic system is firmly implemented on the Chinese mainland. The two sides should try to avoid provoking each other so as to cultivate a peaceful environment, he added.
Lien also called on both sides to promote exchanges, maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and create a win-win situation to facilitate reunification.
DPP candidate Chen Shui-bian said in his campaign platform that Taiwan and mainland China should make more efforts to improve the strained cross-strait relations. The two sides should develop an institutionalized relationship, Chen suggested.
To work toward that goal, he said, the two sides should set up effective communication channels to promote mutual understanding and mutual trust. He also advocated the establishment of direct links in communications, trade and shipping between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland.
In addition, an agreement should be reached on the creation of an interim basic law to guarantee cross-strait parity and peaceful resolution of all disputes.
James Soong, a former KMT heavyweight and now an independent candidate, stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. However, in maintaining peace and stability, Taiwan's national dignity must be protected and the will of its people must be respected, he said. The two sides should also promote mutual prosperity and treat each other as equals, he added.
Soong proposed that Taiwan and mainland China start peace talks under the framework of a "special relationship," not that between a central government and a local government.
Meanwhile, another independent candidate Hsu Hsin-liang, who was formerly DPP chairman, said that the cross-strait relations issue should be put into an international context as it is not an isolated problem. He said that US involvement is needed because it will ensure Taiwan's security.
Hsu also advocated that the two sides work out an interim agreement which guarantees the present status quo for 50 years. Under such an agreement, Taiwan will not seek independence and mainland China will not invade Taiwan, thus paving the way for a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan problem."
Li Ao, who runs for the New Party, seemed to favor the one country, two systems concept initiated by Beijing's leaders. He said the two sides may start negotiations for reunification, but Taiwan should carry on the talks with certain conditions for its own interests. For example, he said, Taiwan may ask Beijing to help it join the United Nations or insist that Beijing appoint a Taiwanese as its foreign minister.
In this way, Li said, Taiwan will gain a lot through its talks with Beijing.
More than 15.4 million voters in Taiwan will go to the polls Saturday to elect a new president. No matter who is elected, the China policy will remain an important issue for Taiwan in the years to come.
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