Taipei, Jan. 17 (CNA) President Lee Teng-hui strongly defended his definition of relations across the Taiwan Strait as a "special state-to-state relationship" on Monday, and urged the international community to understand the Republic of China's basic stance.
Acknowledging that his definition has drawn mixed reactions in the world society, Lee said he was obliged to spell it out for the sake of safeguarding national interests and the people's rights vis-a-vis mainland China.
Lee made the remarks while meeting with a US congressional delegation, headed by Rep. Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.)
He recalled that when the United States and mainland China signed the Shanghai Communique in 1972, the so-called "one China" was open to anyone's definition.
However, he went on, under Beijing's pressure, "one China" is now generally defined as the "People's Republic of China." This definition ignores the ROC's existence and even downgrades it to a province under PRC jurisdiction.
"Beijing consistently regards itself as the central government and downgrades the ROC to the level of a local government," Lee said, asking: "How can the ROC negotiate with Beijing on such an unequal footing?"
Lee told his American guests that he has always given top priority to the development of cross-strait ties. "Nevertheless, I have a basic tenet in promoting cross-strait exchanges. That is parity between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. I believe that not only myself but also all Chinese people and foreign friends concerned about cross-strait relations cannot accept any violation of this fundamental principle," he stressed.
The president further said the ROC welcomes negotiations with mainland China on an equal footing and has always kept its door open to cross-strait dialogue.
"We hope to seek a solution to cross-strait disputes through peaceful exchanges on the principles of reciprocity and parity, and to pave the way for eventual national unification," Lee explained.
He also pointed out that the two sides must maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, saying that positive cross-strait development can be realized only under such conditions.
Noting that his declaration of termination of the Period of National Mobilization for Suppression of Communist Rebellion in 1991 marked an important turnaround in cross-strait relations, Lee said the ROC has since undergone a series of democratic reforms and is determined to handle cross-strait affairs with strictly peaceful means.
Lee continued that the ROC has set up the National Unification Council and has formulated the National Unification Guidelines in the pursuit of eventual national unification under freedom and democracy by setting short-, medium- and long-range goals.
Since 1991, Lee went on, the ROC has tried to let the world understand that it has existed as an independent sovereign state since its establishment in 1912.
He further pointed out that since the PRC was founded in 1949, the ROC and the PRC have co-existed.
"Against this backdrop, when a German radio station reporter in an interview on July 9, 1999 asked my opinion about Beijing's claim that the ROC is a renegade province of the PRC, I immediately said that our basic stance on the issue is that cross-strait ties should be defined as a `special state-to-state relationship,'" Lee said, adding that the definition perfectly reflects historical facts and legal reality.
The president said that what the ROC has done in the Taiwan area is mainly aimed at substantiating the ideals of freedom, democracy and popular sovereignty.
"We believe that Taiwan's progress can bring hope to all Chinese people and that its achievements can set a model for the development of the whole of China," he added.
Other members of the US House of Representatives present at the meeting included Rep. Rick Hill (R-Mont.), Rep. Patrick J. Toomey (R-Pa.), Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.), and Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.)