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CROSS-STRAIT EXCHANGES SHOULD ABIDE BY LAW: PRESIDENT

ROC Central News Agency

2005-04-05 23:13:21

    Taipei, April 5 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian convened a major meeting Tuesday in which the participants reached a seven-point conclusion, including that cross-Taiwan Strait exchanges should abide by the law.

    Yu Shyi-kun, secretary-general of the Presidential Office and one of the participants in the meeting, said Chen invited officials from the Presidential Office, the Executive Yuan and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to the meeting in view of the latest cross-strait political and economic development, including a visit to China by a vice chairman of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) in the wake of the passage of China's Anti-Secession Law March 14.

    KMT Vice Chairman P.K. Chiang reached a 10-point consensus with Chen Yunlin, director of Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office, during his March 28-April 1 visit, which covered a wide range of issues, including cross-strait transportation, agriculture, protection of China-based Taiwan businessmen, the rights of Chinese fishermen working on Taiwan fishing vessels, and further easing of China's financial market.

    The participants in the meeting concluded that cross-strait affairs are related to the national sovereignty and the exercise of the government's authority. No political parties, groups or individuals have the right to represent the Taiwan people or replace the government's authority.

    Cross-strait exchanges should abide by the law and anyone who reaches agreement with foreign governments, the other side of the Taiwan Strait or the envoys they dispatch will be dealt with according to the law by related agencies.

    Other conclusions reached by the participants included that the overall interests of the nation and the wellbeing of the people are above the interests of political parties, especially cross-strait contacts, dialogue and consultation, which should require prior consensus among the political parties and the general public for the maximum interests of the nation.

    Chen is willing to meet with leaders from the ruling and opposition parties so as to avoid a craze of "China fever" undermining Taiwan's dignity and interests.

    The participants pointed out that the biggest difference between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is not about separate rule, but democracy vs. authoritarianism. If Beijing really wants to close the gap between the peoples on both sides, it should not try to lure Taiwan with small favors under its undemocratic system.

    As a rising power, Beijing should seriously consider that it should serve as the keeper of international peace and not an intimidator who uses non-peaceful means to sabotage the international order.

    Only the 23 million people of Taiwan have the right to decide the fate of the nation and that the Beijing authorities should address and respect the will of the majority of people on Taiwan.

    Cross-strait differences should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and that the choice of the Taiwan people under free will should be respected. The Taiwan people adamantly oppose China's legislation of the Anti-Secession Law and its attempts to resolve cross-strait disputes by "undemocratic and non-peaceful means, " they said.

    The government will base cross-strait relations on the principle of "reconciliation without flinching and steadfastness instead of confrontation."

    Faced with China's persistent denial of Taiwan's sovereignty and its government's attempt to split Taiwan and mislead the international community, the Cabinet should respond immediately in a steadfast and unequivocal manner.

    Cross-strait trade policy should base on the principles of "stand ing firmly on Taiwan soil yet reaching out to the world, " and "active opening, effective management, " so as to carry out the ideals of investing in Taiwan first to ensure the country's economic lifeline.

    They stressed that the government should not ignore the crucial "effective management" and said the national security and administrative agencies should immediately adjust related trade policy.

    On issues related to cross-strait agriculture and service sectors, the government should conduct consultations under the framework of the World Trade Organization, they added.

    Those attending the meeting included Vice President Annette Lu, Presidential Office Deputy Secretary-General Ma Yung-cheng, Presidential Office Director Lin Teh-hsun, National Security Council Secretary-General Chiou I-jen, Premier Frank Hsieh, Vice Premier Wu Rong-i, Secretary-General of the Executive Yuan Lee Ying-yuan, Cabinet spokesman Cho Jung-tai, Foreign Affairs Minister Tan Sun Chen, Mainland Affairs Council Chairman Joseph Wu, DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang, DPP Secretary-General Lee Yi-yang, KMT Policy Committee Director Ker Chien-ming, and the DPP caucus whips in the legislature Chao Yung-ching and William C.T. Lai.

(By Lilian Wu)

ENDITEM/J