President reaffirms continued engagement with China
ROC Central News Agency
2011/01/22 22:20:29
Taipei, Jan. 22 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou said Saturday that his administration will continue dialogue and engagement with China in the hope that the two sides can use Chinese wisdom to find a solution to their political disputes.
By so doing, Taiwan's ultimate goal is to maintain peace in East Asia and allow people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to pursue the values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, Ma added.
Addressing a ceremony marking 2011 World Freedom Day, which falls on Jan. 23, Ma said the Republic of China on Taiwan has become a fully democratic country.
When he assumed office in 2008, Ma recalled that he was moved by then-U.S. President George W. Bush's congratulatory message that described Taiwan as a beacon of democracy for Asia and the rest of the world.
During Chinese President Hu Jintao's just-concluded state visit to the U.S., President Barack Obama recognized progress in cross-strait relations, particularly the Taiwan-China Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, during his talks with Hu and in their joint statement, Ma said.
Noting that he shared Obama's views that Taiwan and China should increase exchanges and dialogue in all fields, Ma said Taiwan's two top policy goals are to play the roles of peacemaker and donor of humanitarian aid in the international community.
As 2011 marks the ROC's 100th year, Ma said, the country also hopes to become a beacon of freedom and democracy in the global Chinese community. (By Hsieh Chia-chen and Sofia Wu) enditem/ls
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