Vice-president Lu granted an exclusive interview to Isii Tosinao, the Taipei correspondent for the Japanese daily newspaper the Yomiuri, yesterday. The vice-president conveyed her thoughts on the Democratic Pacific Union, the interaction between Taiwan and Japan and the relations between Taiwan and China. The article was published today.
According to the vice-president, the Japanese government's issuing of visa-free privileges to Taiwanese tourists symbolized the close and cordial relationship shared between the two countries. The vice-president also expressed her gratitude to the Japan-ROC Diet Members' Consultative Council, led by Takeo Hiranuma and the Democratic Pacific Union, for the opportunity to address the Asia-Pacific regional meeting via videoconference on June 10th of this year.
The vice-president revealed to Tosinao, that the title of her inaugural speech for the Democratic Pacific Union (DPU) would be "The Birth of the Blue Civilization in the New Pacific Era." To the vice president, the "Blue Civilization" refers to a Pacific Ocean that is based upon principles of technology, humanity, and soft power. The three fundamental ideas established under the organization of the Democratic Pacific Union are "democracy", "peace" and "development;" the vice president hopes that with Japan's experience, the Japanese can play a prominent role in the institute of "peace." The vice-president also proposed creating a university at sea for students and scholars from diverse fields to attend courses while the vessel travels throughout the Pacific Ocean from Taiwan, Japan, Korea to Singapore exchanging and sharing different cultural experiences as well as promoting the values of the DPU.
Adhering to the ideals of a "communal sovereignty," the vice-president referred to resolving regional border disputes under the spirit of "democracy, peace and development," for she said that the earth is a mutual home to all. Using the example of the Diaoyutai island, which China, Japan and Taiwan all claim ownership to, the vice-president suggested that the parties involved needed to meet and devise an agreement on how to share the island's resources in an environmental-friendly and sustainable manner.
Regarding Taiwan's strategic value in the region, the vice-president believes that no country in the world wishes to see Taiwan become a part of China; thus, she emphasized that Taiwan must develop and display its geo-political importance as well as strengthen its self-defense capabilities in order to withstand China's growing military expansionism in the Pacific. She also stated that China's saber rattling actions are not only directed at Taiwan, but also aimed at extending Chinese hegemony to the entire Pacific Ocean. The vice-president further highlighted regional military alliances such as the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, in which Taiwan is seen as a mutual security concern, as a significant measure to preserving national security. She stressed, however, that Taiwan's efforts to enhance its defense is not an intent to pursue an armament race with China.
The vice-president also refuted a journalist's speculation that Taiwan intents to develop nuclear weapons, calling the assumption groundless since she and president Chen support a non-nuclear Taiwan policy. She further added that developing nuclear weapons would completely violate the country's national spirit. The vice-president also took the opportunity to reprimand countries still developing and using biological and nuclear weapons.
In regards to Taiwan and China, the vice president said that interaction is unfortunately limited due to China's unwillingness to hold negotiations with the Taiwanese government and because of China's persistent marginalization of Taiwan in the international arena, such as at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. She also remarked on China's official reception of Taiwan's opposition leaders during their visit to the Mainland as a blatant political move. And while commenting on Chinese tourists in Taiwan, the vice-president said that the fundamental purpose of permitting such visits is to promote mutual understanding between the people of China and Taiwan. However, she said that discussions on direct flights between Taiwan and China, although inevitable, would be very difficult to achieve if China continues to localize the Taiwanese government and issue preconditions of accepting their "one china" policy.
President Chen's recent statement, "the Republic of China is Taiwan," elicited a strong reaction from the People's Republic of China; when asked for her thoughts on the issue, the vice-president replied that the government of the mainland would never be satisfied until Taiwan acknowledges the "one China" or "Taiwan is a part of China" idea. She further added that the president's remarks were historical facts that no one could erase.
Before taking office, Vice-President Lu said that she visited Japan quite frequently, however, what seemed possible then is now impossible due to the political barriers associated with her position. She suggests the Japanese government adopt the United States' approach of allowing president Chen a "safe, comfortable and respectable" reception in the U.S. while on his trips abroad, so that visiting Japan can be a reality for both her and the president. In addition, the vice-president also recommends that the Japanese government establish legislation similar to that of the U.S.'s Taiwan Relations Act. She believes that there is room for improvement in Taiwan and Japan relations.
When asked if she intends to further her political career, the vice-president skirted the issue and replied that being a female vice-president in a traditional Chinese cultural environment is already a challenge; however, she believes that as Taiwan's democratic society progresses the opportunities for women will also improve. She believes that it is only a matter of time until women's roles in politics becomes an acceptable norm, as Taiwan is not lacking in outstanding and talented women.