Vice President Lien Chan this morning made a speech at the Conference on "Cross-Strait Relations and Regional Peace" held in Taipei. This conference was sponsored by the ruling Nationalist Party for some 200 visiting representatives of political parties from around the world.
Full text of the Vice President's speech, on the topic of "The Relations Across the Taiwan Strait: Problems and Prospects", is as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I know you are all representatives of many political parties from around the world. Your gathering here in Taiwan has done a great honor to my party, the Nationalist Party of the Republic of China. I'd like to extend my most sincere gratitude to you for traveling thousands of miles to come to Taiwan to observe this presidential election, which will be held in a few days.
On February 21st, the Chinese authorities in Beijing issued a white paper entitled "The One China Principle and the Taiwan Issue." The thrust of the paper is that the PRC will use force to achieve reunification if three events take place:
First, if a grave turn of events occurs leading to the separation of Taiwan from China,
Second, if Taiwan is invaded and occupied by foreign countries,
Third, if the Taiwan authorities refuse, sine die, the peaceful settlement of cross-Strait reunification through negotiations.
There has been critical reaction to this white paper both in Taiwan and throughout the world, because it has tried to threaten the people's sense of security on the eve of the presidential election.
Prior to the issuance of the Chinese white paper, on February 17 of this year, I made a statement in a meeting of my party offering my thoughts and proposals on the issue of cross-Strait relations. My staff will give a translation of that speech to you. That speech together with my speech today will give you an idea of the problems and prospects we face in cross-Strait relations.
Today I would like to take this opportunity to discuss my fundamental thoughts on how to work toward the resolution of disagreements and conflict across the Taiwan Strait. These can be summarized in four basic principles.
First is the principle of mutual respect. I think that both sides need to hold to a principle of mutual respect as they continue the dialogue and move toward future negotiations of the relationship. While we fully recognize that the People's Republic of China enjoys a much larger territory, a much greater population, and the recognition by the majority of the nations in the world, the Republic of China has also achieved great successes as a state. It exercises effective control of Taiwan, Penghu, and adjacent off-shore islands. Its 23 million people have built the world's 18th largest economy, and the 15th largest trading power. Our per capita income is ranked 25th in the world. Furthermore, its people enjoy a high degree of democracy, as evidenced by the presidential election activities going on in recent days. The Republic of China's government is recognized by several dozens of nations. These are all realities grounded in fact. We believe that both sides should treat each other with due respect and equality. Therefore, the PRC's one-sided pre-conditions for reunification, such as "one country, two systems," is not a fair and proper way to push for reunification.
Second is the principle of incrementalism. There are many disagreements between the authorities on both sides of the Strait. For example, both sides have different definitions of the so called One China Principle. Our government's position on this issue is that both sides should have the freedom to define this principle to suit its own needs. Because of this impasse, the dialogue across the Strait seems to have reached a stalemate. To resolve this problem, I would like to propose that we put aside the disputes over One China Principle and tackle those issues in which we have common interests. One of the foremost issues on the table is the so-called three links: direct commerce, direct communications, and direct transportation. We may find that this process of incrementalism will allow both sides to gradually build-up mutual confidence, trust, and understanding, so as to facilitate the resolution of more difficult issues.
Third, the principle of peace. To ensure peace in the Taiwan Strait, I propose that both sides work toward a peace settlement or peace agreement. I also suggested the creation of a Peace Zone in the Taiwan Strait and a mechanism for mutual trust between the military of both sides, including a hotline between the leaders of each government. By making these practical efforts, we can be sure that no accidents of war or other armed conflict can occur. I'm sure our neighbors in the Asia Pacific region, including the United States, would welcome such a mechanism.
The fourth is the principle of regular and open communications. For the past decade, through the efforts of both governments we have established a channel of exchange through the Strait Exchange Foundation on our side and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait on the other side. Because of some existing disagreements, these two organizations have not been able to perform their assigned duties for quite some time. I hope that this channel of communications can be revitalized, and therefore if I'm elected, I will invite Mr. Wang Daohan of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait to visit Taiwan. After that, it is my hope that the leaders of the two governments can exchange visits, and then arrange regular summit meetings.
During the last five decades, there have been wars and conflicts across the Taiwan Strait. Many lives have been lost. Four years ago, the tensions in the Taiwan Strait were so high that they aroused international attention and criticisms. At various times, the Taiwan Strait has been a potential tinderbox, and aroused worry and fear in many nations. I think such a development is unfortunate and unnecessary. We are all Chinese people, and share many commonalities in terms of race, history, culture, and geography. I believe that both the leaders and the people of each side should have the wisdom and determination to leave wars behind as we enter the new century.
In conclusion, let me repeat my hopes made recently about the prospects of relationships between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait:
First – that "Chinese will not attack Chinese." Let the world see a Taiwan Strait that is free of roaring cannons and raging battles.
Second – that "Chinese will help Chinese." Let the world see friendly exchanges, sincere trust, and mutual benefit between the two sides.
Let both sides make efforts towards realizing these two hopes. It will not only benefit the people on both sides; it will also relieve anxiety and concern shared by our neighbors and friends around the world. Then and only then can the Chinese people on both sides of the Strait make real contributions to world peace.
I thank you.