Dallas, April 1 (CNA) A lack of mutual trust is the key factor behind the differences between Taiwan and mainland China on the definition of the disputed "one China" principle, said the top US liaison official with Taiwan on Saturday.
Richard Bush, head of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), which represents US interests in lieu of official relations between the two countries, said Taiwan and mainland China should try to seek terms acceptable to both sides so as to restart bilateral talks. The United States will not lean toward either side on this issue, he noted.
Commenting on mainland China's insistence that the "one China" principle drafted by Beijing should be a precondition of reopening bilateral talks and on Taiwan's stance that the "one China" framework is only one issue which needs further discussion, Bush reiterated that Washington acknowledges Beijing's "one China" position and that Taiwan forms a part of China.
Although the United States understands the reason behind the differences between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland over the definition of the "one China," the AIT chief said both sides should try to find a way to mend their differences. "The United States will not neither speak for nor seek to change either side," he asserted.
It's better for Taiwan and the mainland to talk than not to talk, Bush claimed, urging the two sides to find some sort of an agreement to resolve their problems.
The AIT chairman made the remarks while giving a speech on post-election Taiwan-US relations at a seminar.
Answering questions from the audience following the speech, Bush stated that although the proposed "Taiwan Security Enhancement Act" (TSEA) has a good name, the US administration does not think that the bill will substantively help strengthen Taiwan's security.
Saying that passage of the TSEA will produce many problems and will escalate tensions across the Taiwan Strait, he emphasized that Taiwan's security relies primarily on the determination of its people and the island's own military clout, followed by economic cooperation between Taiwan and mainland China and a US supply of defensive weapons.
The TSEA, already overwhelmingly approved by the US House of Representatives, still awaits passage by the US Senate.
Bush, the top liaison official in charge of United States' dealings with Taiwan, stressed that America will not do anything which would hurt Taiwan and that the United States has made very clear to the mainland that it will play a role should China launch a military attack against Taiwan.
Citing remarks by US President Bill Clinton that Taiwan and mainland China should resolve their disputes peacefully, Bush repeated that Washington will not force Taiwan to conduct negotiations with the mainland nor act as an intermediator between the two sides.
Considering the issue from a long-term prospective, Bush said, Taiwan security will be better safeguarded if it settles its disputes with the mainland. But he added that this does not mean that Taiwan should fully give in to mainland China's terms, while the mainland should also behave itself.
According to the AIT chairman, the United States has repeatedly urged the mainland China to explain the benefits of reunification to the people of Taiwan, rather than deploying missiles aimed at Taiwan or issuing sternly-worded statements to the island. Such conduct will only increase fears and resentment among the Taiwan people toward Beijing and damage bilateral links, he noted. (By Hui-Yen Chang and Flor Wang)
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