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TAIWAN NOT AGAINST UNIFICATION IF CHINA BECOMES DEMOCRACY: ENVOY

ROC Central News Agency

2005-12-01 11:47:34

    Berlin, Nov. 31 (CNA) Taiwan does not exclude the possibility of unification with China at some point in the future if the latter becomes a democratic country, Taiwan's top envoy in Germany said Wednesday.

    Speaking in an interview on German television, Shieh Jhy-wey said that what he is opposed to is the threats posed by China's totalitarianism to Taiwan's freedom and democracy.

    The envoy also questioned the restrictions imposed by German authorities on the designation used by Taiwan's representative office in the country. He pointing out that the two countries share a close economic and trade relationship, with Germany being Taiwan's most important trading partner in Europe and Taiwan being Germany's fourth largest trading partner in Asia. "The designation of Taiwan's representative office in Berlin as 'the Taipei Representative Office' does not adequately represent Taiwan," he said.

    Shieh further said that he respects Germany's "One China" policy and its position of not officially recognizing Taiwan, adding, however, that he hopes Berlin will at least pay proper attention to the fact of Taiwan's existence in order to have exchanges with the island in a fairer and more open manner.

    Talking about cross-Taiwan Strait relations, the envoy said that Taiwan does not exclude the possibility of unification with China at some time in the future if China becomes a democratic country.

    In the interview, Shieh also invited German tourists to come visit Taiwan, pointing out that Taiwan now offers visa-free treatment to German citizens for stays of up to 30 days.

(By Y.L. Lin and P.C.Tang)

Enditem/Li