Taipei, July 25 (CNA) No progress in ties between Taiwan and mainland China will be possible as long as Beijing sticks to its "one China" principle, President Chen Shui-bian told former U.S. Ambassador to Beijing James Lilley and American Enterprise Institute President Christopher DeMuth Friday.
Chen said Beijing's insistence on engaging with Taiwan only on the basis that Taiwan acknowledges the "one China" principle makes any meaningful contact between the two sides impossible because Taiwan cannot accept Beijing's position and will not associate with Beijing on such terms.
Although the United States adheres to the point of view that there is only one China in the world, the president took pains to point out to his guests that there is a vast difference between Beijing's "one China" principle and that of Washington. "For Beijing, the principle means the mainland and Taiwan should reunite peacefully, whereas for the United States, it simply means the two sides should straighten out their differences peacefully, " Chen said.
While Washington emphasizes peace, Beijing stresses reunification, which is the biggest difference between the two "one China" principles, Chen said.
Citing the July 1 demonstration in Hong Kong against a planned anti-subversion bill, Chen said Beijing has had difficulty selling to the Hong Kong people the "one country two systems" formula it designed to rule the former British colony, and even more difficulty selling it to Taiwan, which is more vigilant against Beijing's designs.
He reiterated his promise that he will not call for a plebiscite to justify his pursuit of Taiwan independence, but defended his decision to hold a referendum on several non-political issues concerning matters of public interest.
Lilley is the only U.S. diplomat to have headed U.S. missions to both Taipei and Beijing. He arrived in Taipei Thursday at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He will attend a ceremony Sunday to promote a Chinese edition of his new book about his diplomatic career in Taiwan and mainland Chin and give his only public speech during his stay.