Taipei, Oct. 26 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian Wednesday mentioned the establishment of a Taiwan Strait conflict management and prevention mechanism to maintain regional peace and stability during a meeting with C. Daniel Mote, president of the University of Maryland, who is currently on a weeklong visit to Taipei.
According to Chen, there are now three possible flashpoints in the Asia-Pacific area--the Korean peninsula, the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. Chen said long-feuding North and South Korea are engaging in detente and that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has provided a forum for prevention and management of South China Sea disputes or conflicts. In contrast, he went on, the Taiwan Strait is the only area where no effective dialogue mechanism exists. With a view to preventing cross-strait conflicts, he said, both Taiwan and mainland China should endeavor to thrash out conflict management or preventive diplomacy measures.
Chen told his guest that the Republic of China government has consistently given priority to improving and normalizing cross-strait relations. "Although there are still some `blind points' or obstacles to the development of cross-strait relations, I'm convinced that we'll be able to find a way out with goodwill, wisdom and creativity," Chen said, adding that his administration will do its utmost to avoid any possible cross-strait conflicts for the well-being of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
For his part, Mote said the University of Maryland has set up a global ethnic Chinese affairs study center and a conflict management and research center which has studied all major conflicts around the world over the past two decades. "We hope to contribute to the study of cross-strait issues, disputes and conflicts through the cooperation of these two organizations," Mote said.
During his visit, Mote will sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the University of Maryland (UOM) and the ROC's National Yang Ming University.
Chen said he will be pleased to see the prestigious U.S. university strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan's educational and research institutes.