Taipei, Oct. 21 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Saturday that he holds no preset stance on the development of cross-Taiwan Strait relations and that as a head of state, he is willing to accept all outside opinions.
Chen stressed that consensus and decisions reached by the Presidential Advisory Group on Cross-Strait Relations in the future will be the pivotal basis on which the administration formulates its policies on the thorny cross-strait relations issue.
He made the remarks during a meeting with opposition New Party head Hao Lung-ping at the Taipei Guest House--Chen's second meeting since his inauguration for fence-mending efforts with the oppositions.
He noted that the 21st century begins only 72 days from now and said he earnestly hopes that people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait will play greater roles in the new era. He added his fervent hope that there will be no war, no conflict, but only peace and glory ahead.
He lauded the New Party as "an efficient and responsible opposition group." He said the party's "small size" is no problem, as long as the party has its own "height and depth." In his view, Chen said, a mini-party or a minority government is a majority as long as it meets the people's expectations and its policies are aimed at the greatest interests of the people.
Quoting the old Chinese proverb: "When brothers are of one heart, they will create a force strong enough to cut steel," Chen welcomed his meeting with the New Party leader, saying that as long as all parties stand together, all difficulties, no matter how invincible they seem, will be conquered.
He added that similar meetings will take place in the future so that his administration can hear more opposition voices. During the meeting, Chen exchanged views with Hao on matters regarding cross-strait relations, constitutional reforms, policies to reinvigorate the domestic economy and bourse, and ways to enhance ethnic harmony.