Taipei, July 28 (CNA) Republic of China President Lee Teng-hui said on Wednesday that he is not the troublemaker mainland China claims he is.
"In fact, I earnestly hope that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait can co-exist peacefully and jointly pursue a free, democratic, prosperous new China," he stressed.
Lee made the remarks while meeting with a group of foreign scholars visiting Taiwan to attend an international forum on peace and security in the Taiwan Strait.
The president said his recent definition of cross-strait ties as a "special state-to-state relationship" has drawn wide attention at home and abroad.
Lee said the term "special" means that the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share special feelings. "Therefore, it is easier for them to understand each other, and, I hope, respect each other."
Noting that the ROC has been a sovereign state since its inception in 1912, Lee said the ROC is absolutely not a renegade province under communist Chinese jurisdiction.
The president went on to say that Taiwan's achievements are the results of concerted efforts of the ROC government and people. "The Chinese communists have not contributed to Taiwan's development, how can they dictate Taiwan's future?"
Lee said that on the contrary, it is Taiwan that has contributed to mainland China's economic development in recent years, with more than 30,000 Taiwan companies having invested more than US$30 billion in the mainland.
Lee further said cross-strait relations are not "internal affairs" as claimed by mainland Chinese leaders. "Cross-strait relations refer to engagements between two equal entities," he insisted.
The president said Taiwan has long renounced the use of force to resolve cross-strait discord. "It is regrettable that mainland China still refuses to face the reality that the two sides of the strait are ruled by two separate governments and is unwilling to renounce the use of force against Taiwan," Lee said, adding that mainland China's hegemonic mentality has hindered the development of cross-strait relations and even threatens the security of the Taiwan Strait.
Stressing that the Taiwan Strait commands important sea lanes and air routes in the western Pacific region, Lee said peace and security in the Taiwan Strait are common assets of the international community.
Over the past 10 years, Lee said, the ROC has undertaken a series of political, economic and social reforms to lay a solid foundation for its long-term development under a liberal and democratic system. "Our achievement has also helped maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," he noted.
Lee also reaffirmed Taiwan's goodwill and determination to continue promoting cross-strait exchanges and constructive dialogue on an equal footing. "We hope to increase cross-strait engagements in order to minimize disputes and forge consensus to facilitate maintenance of peace and security in the Taiwan Strait," he added.
Scores of scholars and Asian affairs experts from the United States, Japan, Canada, Britain and several other countries attended the July 26-27 forum on Taiwan Strait peace and security co-sponsored by the Taipei-based 21st Century Foundation and the US think-tank the American Enterprise Institute (AEI).
Foreign academics present at Wednesday's meeting with Lee included John Bolton, senior AEI vice president; David Laux, president of US-ROC (Taiwan) Business Council; and Arthur Waldron, director of the AEI's Asian Studies Center.