Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

'FOUR STAGES OF ROC' ENDANGERS CROSS-STRAIT STABILITY: KMT

ROC Central News Agency

2005-08-02 21:44:51

    Taipei, Aug. 2 (CNA) An opposition Kuomintang (KMT) spokesman criticized Tuesday President Chen Shui-bian's new theory of "four stages of the Republic of China" as a factor that will endanger cross-Taiwan Strait stability.

    Chang Jung-kung claimed that Chen's new theory is a pro-independence one disguised with the Republic of China title.

    Chen presented that day his theory, which separates the ROC into four stages, with the first in 1912, when the ROC was set up; the second in 1949, when the ROC moved to Taiwan; the third during former President Lee Teng-hui's term in which the country was called "ROC on Taiwan;" and the fourth stage since 2000, when Chen himself took power as president.

    In an attempt to strengthen the public's ideas regarding the country's sovereignty and national identity, Chen announced his new theory and stressed that "ROC is Taiwan" has been the case since he assumed his post in 2000.

    According to Chang, Chen's remarks were aimed at placating pro-independence groups that were extremely disappointed by Chen's recent remarks that it will be impossible to gain Taiwan independence during his tenure.

    Noting that the ROC represents Taiwan proper and the outlying islands of Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, Chang claimed that it should not serve as a cover for the Taiwan independence movement.

    Chen's remarks will result in more efforts of the United States and China to prevent Taiwan's independence, which will limit ROC's development space in the world community, Chang speculated.

(By Elisa Kao)

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