Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

VP-elect's meeting with Chinese leader helpful: KMT lawmaker

ROC Central News Agency

2008-04-13 17:12:28

    Taipei, April 13 (CNA) An opposition Kuomintang (KMT) legislative caucus leader said Sunday that although it was yet unclear what results the meeting between Taiwan's vice President-elect and the Chinese president would produce, the exchange was definitely conducive to the development of cross-strait ties in the future.

    Hsieh Kuo-liang, an acting KMT legislative caucus whip, said he welcomed the meeting between Taiwan's Vice President-elect Vincent Siew and Chinese President Hu Jintao Saturday, which took place on the sidelines of the 2008 Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan, China.

    Hsieh said although the KMT caucus would not be able to determine the tone of Siew's "ice thawing" participation in the Boao Forum until the vice-president elect returns to Taiwan, it views the amicable Hu-Siew meeting as a historic event that would significantly contribute to the development of cross-strait relations.

    Meanwhile, Hsieh blasted Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairman Chen Ming-tong for adhering to what he called the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration's approach of shutting off Taiwan from the international community by refusing to engage in any kind of exchanges with China. "It would be pathetic if Chen chose to stick to the DPP's closed-door policy until the last day, May 20, when the incoming KMT government takes over," Hsieh said.

    If Chen is indeed a responsible official in charge of formulating Taiwan's China policy, he should take the time to obtain a better understanding of the incoming government's cross-strait policies and its needs so that he could help the MAC administer the measures that would be introduced by the KMT, Hsieh added.

    Also commenting on the historic Hu-Siew meeting, Vice President Annette Lu said the meeting could help ease cross-strait tensions, which had intensified since Taiwan launched referendums on the country's bid to enter the United Nations under the name "Taiwan."

    Lu also called for the country not to fuss too much over how Siew was treated at the meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao, saying that she thinks Siew was met with proper etiquette in his capacity as a leading KMT figure, while Hu met with him in Hu's capacity as general secretary of the Communist Party of China.

(By Deborah Kuo)

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