President Lee Teng-hui stated today that the reason he defined cross-strait relationship as a "special state-to-state relationship" in an interview with Deutsche Welle one month ago is to express the reality and to further clarify and establish that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are standing on parity. He made the remarks when meeting with visiting US Senator Slade Gorton.
President Lee elaborated that Peking currently considers itself as the "central government" and views Taiwan as a "local government" or a "renegade province." This is something the ROC can never accept, he said. "Only on the basis of equality, can cross-strait relations develop in a favorable way."
The President stressed that the ROC's mainland policy has remained unchanged. "Continued cross-strait exchanges and dialogue have consistently been my insistence and position, he said. "I fully support President Clinton's proposal that the two sides of the Strait should strengthen exchanges and dialogue and settle their problems by peaceful means."
Accompanied by David Lee, Deputy Foreign Minister, and Acting Director Stephen Young of the AIT Taipei Office, Senator Gorton and his Chief of Staff Tony Williams met with President Lee at the Presidential Office this afternoon. Ding Mou-shih, Senior Advisor to the President, and Lin Bih-jaw, Deputy Secretary-General to the President, were also present.
President Lee extended a warm welcome to the visiting US senator, and expressed his sincere appreciation for the long-time support that the US Congress has rendered to the ROC.
Senator Gorton asserted that the US Congress always supports the free and democratic Republic of China. He said that he personally did not consider President Lee's remarks on the "special state-to-state relationship" as inappropriate, and that the US government should adopt a balanced approach toward both sides of the Strait, rather than favoring either side.
Since Senator Gorton represents the State of Washington, where Boeing Co. is based, he also expressed his concern over China Airlines' purchase of new aircraft. President Lee said that the ROC is a democratic and open country, and that its government is in no position to intervene in a commercial deal like China Airlines' purchase. However, the President said that he understands the concern of Senator Gorton and other American people over this procurement. Since aircraft purchase involves many technical considerations, Boeing employees should directly contact and consult with their China Airlines counterparts, he proposed. This will benefit both China Airlines and Boeing, he added.