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MESSAGES FOR CHINA CONSISTENT WITH TAIWAN'S INTERESTS: PRESIDENT

Central News Agency

2005-05-03 21:09:20

    Kiribati, May 3 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Tuesday that the messages that he has asked opposition People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong to pass on to the Beijing leadership during his upcoming China visit are consistent with the interests of the country.

    Chen would not reveal what the messages are, saying only that they will definitely stand up to public scrutiny when they are made public.

    Chen made the remarks during an informal meeting with reporters in Kiribati, the second leg of his state visit to the South Pacific, which also includes the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu.

    The president first disclosed on Sunday that he had told Soong to help bring some messages to Chinese President Hu Jintao during his China trip, scheduled for May 5-12.

    Speaking again of the matter on Tuesday, Chen said although Soong is not visiting China as a government representative or the president's special envoy, it would be nice if he could help convey some messages to the leadership in Beijing.

    Chen said he has maintained smooth communications with Soong and that he will stick to his Feb. 24 10-point agreement with him.

    Pointing out that it is stated in the agreement that the sovereign status of the Republic of China deserves respect and recognition by both sides of the Taiwan Strait and the international community, he said Soong has the obligation and responsibility to ask Beijing to recognize and respect the sovereign status of the ROC during his China trip.

    Chen said he thinks it is a very good thing that opposition leaders can visit China and exchange views with Beijing leaders firsthand, because Taiwan has only been able to obtain information about China from media reports and second-hand means in the past.

    However, Chen said he did not ask the opposition leaders to invite Hu to visit Taiwan on his behalf.

    In addition to holding meetings and phone conversations with Soong, Chen also discussed issues over the phone with opposition Kuomintang Chairman Lien Chan before he set off on April 26 for China. Lien returned to Taiwan on Tuesday.

(By Tsai Su-jung and Y.F. Low)

ENDITEM/mw