President says China raised issue of peace accord a year ago
ROC Central News Agency
Taipei, Dec. 3 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou said Wednesday that China's President Hu Jintao raised the issue of signing a peace accord with Taiwan about one year ago, which Ma said was an indication that China wants peace as much as Taiwan.
Hu's aim was to end cross-Taiwan Strait hostilities, not to ensnare Taiwan, the president said.
Ma made the statement at a tea party hosted by the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents' Club at Sherwood Hotel in Taipei.
"Both sides of the Taiwan Strait want a peace accord, " said Ma. "However, it is not a pressing issue."
Ma noted that since he took office in May, the ambience of the cross-strait relationship has improved greatly.
"Hostilities have decreased to the lowest point in cross-strait history," said Ma. "We will deal with the easy issues first, and then we will move on to the more difficult ones. This is why we are talking about economics first and then will go on to political issues."
Ma said that the issue of Chinese missiles aimed at Taiwan remains a major cause for concern.
“The prerequisite for a cross-strait peace accord is that the two sides show goodwill toward each other, " the president said. "But right now, the people of Taiwan are still very much afraid because of the more than 1,000 (Chinese) missiles aimed at Taiwan."
Ma said his government will insist that the missiles be removed before signing any peace pact with China.
“More than a year ago, Hu raised the issue of a peace accord between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, " said Ma. "He did so not to set a trap for us, but to end cross-strait hostilities."
However, Ma stressed that mutual trust must first be established, especially between the military of both sides.
"This is so that the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait will feel safe," Ma said.
He added that the content of the proposed peace pact has not been decided, but the government of Taiwan will ensure that it benefits the Taiwan people.
"Both sides need to devote more time and energy to cross-strait negotiations before such an accord can be realized," he added.
When asked by reporters if he would like to meet Hu or China Premier Wen Jiabao, Ma replied,“I do not have any such plans at the moment, but I do not object to the idea, I do not rule out the possibility."
Noting that he has devoted great effort to improving cross-strait ties, Ma reiterated that his cross-strait policy is "no re-unification, no independence and no use of force."
He said he will maintain these policies, as they have the support of the people.
"As for the cross-strait battle to gain allies, both sides have called a truce, " said Ma, adding that Beijing showed goodwill by allowing former Vice President Lien Chan to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Peru recently.
"Beijing is being very flexible," he said.
While this is a sign that the cross-strait atmosphere is improving, Ma said, his government is not naive enough to interpret it as a "green light."
"We will continue to seek mutual interest and consensus to further develop cross-strait ties," the president vowed..
As for the Taiwan's efforts to participate in the World Health Assembly next year, Ma said that Beijing has not yet raised that issue.
"But we will keep investing our efforts in that direction, " he added. (By Andrew Lee) enditem/pc
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