President Lee told visiting U.S. scholars today that based on the principles of "peace, equal status, rationality and goodwill," the mainland policy of the Republic of China is to promote mutual understanding through exchanges and to dissolve hostility through reciprocity, in order to achieve the ultimate goal of building a China under democracy, freedom and equitable distribution of wealth. He made the remarks when receiving U.S. participants in the 27th Sino-American Conference on Contemporary China.
On Washington-Peking relations, President Lee said that the ROC is glad to see the development of their relations as long as such development is conducive to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
On the ROC-U.S. relations, he said: "I am very optimistic about the ROC-U.S. relations." He said that he believes President Bill Clinton, who will soon visit mainland China, understands the stance of the ROC.
President Lee maintained that through active promotion by both countries, Taipei-Washington relations have become closer and more extensive now than in the past.
Regarding the trilateral relations among Taipei, Peking and Washington, President Lee stated: "We sincerely hope that the United States, mainland China and the Republic of China will be able to develop triangular relations based upon peace and mutual benefit. In order to maintain regional stability and world peace in the post-Cold War era, we should adopt such active attitude and approach to build a new international order."
As the background of these U.S. scholars covers cross-strait politics, economics and military, the topics of the conversation today include cross-strait relations, future ROC-U.S. relations, Asia's economic prospects and changes in post-1997 Hong Kong. President Lee said that since the Chinese mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong have witnessed major changes in recent years, China experts must accordingly employ innovative approaches and paradigms to explore different dimensions of the issues.
The President asserted that the development model built and experience accumulated by the Republic of China through overcoming diverse challenges, commonly known as the "Taiwan experience," carries special historic significance when considered within the greater framework of the China issue.
Accompanied by Director Shaw Yu-ming of the Institute of International Relations, National Chengchi University, the U.S. delegation to the conference met with President Lee at the Presidential Office this afternoon. Ding Mou-shih, Secretary-General of ROC National Security Council and Su Chi, Deputy Secretary-General to the President, were also present at the occasion. The delegation members included: James R. Lilley, Richard W. Walder, Arthur Waldron, Nan Lin, Eric Hyer, Melanie Manion, Barry Naughton, Alfred Eckes, Shaoguang Wang, Martin K. Whyte, Michael Y.M. Kau, James Myers, Donald Puchala, Cecilia S. Chang, John F. Copper, Robert S. Ross and Evan A. Feigenbaum.