President Chen Shui-bian on June 6 met with professors David M. Lampton, Harry Harding and David G. Brown, all of whom are American experts on China. The president, on behalf of the people and the government of the ROC (Taiwan), welcomed the group of academics to Taiwan and expressed his appreciation to them.
The president said that China's efforts in belittling and isolating Taiwan are irrespective of the party in power here, adding that China's actions in this regard are not directed solely at the Democratic Progressive Party or at his presidency. He said that prior to the alternation of power in 2000, China also put heavy pressure on the then Kuomintang government. President Chen noted that neither Taiwan's withdrawal from the United Nations nor the severing of diplomatic ties between the United States and Taiwan occurred during his presidency.
The president said that during Former President Lee Teng-hui's 12 years in office, the government established the so-called National Unification Council and the National Unification Guidelines. The council and guidelines not only embraced a "one-China principle," but also espoused the ultimate reunification of both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Even this stance, however, was unsuccessful in persuading China to halt its measures against Taiwan. While Former President Lee was in office, President Chen said, China not only launched missiles into waters off Taiwan in 1996, but also prevented him from making a transit stop in Washington D.C. or even spending the night in New York City.
President Chen stressed that in his seven years as Taiwan's head of state, it has become extremely clear to him not to harbor any illusions with regards to China since Beijing's fundamental standpoint is that Taiwan is not a sovereign nation. He said that China's view on the matter is both clear and resolute, and has never changed. It continues to look upon Taiwan as a part of the People's Republic of China. From China's perspective, he said, Taiwan is a local government and a special administrative region, a second Hong Kong so to speak. He said that China has put up roadblocks to prevent Taiwan from participating in the World Health Organization and is belittling Taiwan's presence in the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). The OIE has changed Taiwan's status from a sovereign nation to a non-sovereign regional member. The president said China contends that the People's Republic China, which it says includes Taiwan, is the sole legal government of China. The constitution of the People's Republic of China mandates such as stance. Beijing has not changed its standpoint for decades and continues to try to belittle, marginalize and localize Taiwan, aiming to erode the authority of the government here, he said.
The president also said that during his tenure as president, the attitude of the Taiwan government has been extremely clear in that it rejects the so-called "one-China principle" and the stand of ultimate unification with China. He said the government does not accept the so-called "1992 consensus", which he said never existed. Some contend that the "1992 consensus" binds both Taiwan and China to a "one-China principle", but that the two sides may interpret in different perspectives. President Chen noted, however, that in fact the "one-China consensus" was a consensus between the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party, and not one in which each side was able to provide its own interpretation.
With regards to topic of Taiwan's sovereignty, President Chen said that China will not yield in its stance until Taiwan makes concessions and abandons its sovereignty. As the president of Taiwan, he said that renouncing Taiwan's national sovereignty would not only betray the 23 million people of Taiwan but also the nation's forefathers. President Chen reminded the candidates who will run in next year's presidential election not to harbor any illusions with regards to China. He said that China will not cede any ground on the topic of sovereignty unless Taiwan surrenders.