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MAC urges U.S. to heed Taiwan's desire for U.N. representation

ROC Central News Agency

2007-12-20 21:36:01

    Taipei, Dec. 20 (CNA) The Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Thursday that a planned referendum on applying to join the United Nations under the name Taiwan is an expression of the collective will of Taiwan's people, and urged China and the United States to heed their voice.

    The MAC's appeal was contained in a six-point statement amid reports that a U.S. ranking official may reiterate Washington's opposition to the planned referendum following remarks by Thomas Christensen, deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific affairs, characterizing the plan as "unwise."

    The MAC said that to seek U.N. membership under the name Taiwan is the aspiration and legitimate right of the 23 million people of Taiwan, saying it will show the collective will and resolution of Taiwan to join the international community.

    The MAC said that China's hostile approach towards Taiwan has antagonized the people, noting that Beijing has blocked Taiwan's democratic development, obstructed its efforts to join international organizations, and has attempted to mislead the international community by saying that the planned referendum is tantamount to "de jure" independence.

    The MAC also said that Washington's tilt toward Beijing in its policy will affect peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and hurt the feelings of Taiwan's people.

    Taiwan is a sovereign, independent county and has never been a part of People's Republic of China, the MAC said, and the United States, as the leader of democratic world, should support Taiwan's democracy instead of listening to the rhetoric of an authoritarian country, the MAC said.

    The MAC urged China and the United States to stop suppressing Taiwan and listen closely to the will of its people to pursue democracy, saying that their resolution to pursue democracy will not fail under any circumstances.

    The MAC concluded by calling for the U.S. to safeguard Taiwan in order to promote change in China, noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of cross-strait exchanges, that the world has witnessed the tremendous changes taking place in China, and that Taiwan has been one of the driving forces behind China's transformation.

    The MAC said that Taiwan's process towards and experience of democracy can serve as references as China moves toward democracy.

(By Lilian Wu)

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