Taipei, Jan. 14 (CNA) Vice President Annette Lu said Wednesday that Beijing's attempt to take control of Taiwan stems mainly from what she said is its ambition to build a "Chinese empire."
Lu made the remarks in a keynote speech delivered at the opening of the first annual convention of the International Parliamentarians Forum (IPF) for Asia-Pacific Security.
Without Taiwan in its fold, Lu said, the mainland cannot control the West Pacific sea lanes and therefore cannot become a maritime superpower. "This is why Beijing has stepped up its military buildup against Taiwan, " Lu said, adding that if Beijing were to take control of Taiwan, it could realize its dream of establishing a "Chinese empire."
Lu also blasted Beijing's deliberate distortion of President Chen Shui-bian's plan to hold a referendum to coincide with Taiwan's March 20 presidential election as a secessionist move to promote Taiwan independence. "Since Taiwan is already an independent sovereign state, we need not hold a referendum to declare independence, " Lu said, adding that the planned referendum is aimed at calling world attention to Beijing's deployment of nearly 500 missiles pointed at Taiwan.
Stressing that Chen is obligated to protect Taiwan's security and stability, Lu said the planned referendum is part of Chen's efforts to fulfill his official duties. "Therefore, the planned referendum should not be regarded as a provocation of Beijing or a move to change Taiwan's status quo as Beijing has claimed. It is instead aimed at safeguarding our independent status quo and regional peace," Lu added.