President Ma Ying-jeou on the morning of August 1 at the Presidential Office met with the outgoing Australian Commerce and Industry Office Representative Mr. Stephen Waters. The president affirmed and expressed his appreciation for the work carried out by Mr. Waters over the past three years in promoting relations between Australia and Taiwan.
The president said that Australia was the first country he visited when he served as Taipei mayor. He said he traveled there to participate in the Asia Pacific Cities Summit. Besides that trip, he also made visits to Australia in 2002 and 2006. Two years ago on a trip there, he met with members of Australia’s parliament, media and local think tanks. The trip left a deep impression on him, and he said that he felt that significant room exists for further cooperation between the two countries. The president said that many tourists from Taiwan visit Australia, and a substantial number of people from Taiwan can be seen in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
President Ma added that during his campaign for the presidency, he met with Representative Waters and the two discussed topics related to Taiwan’s diplomatic efforts in the South Pacific. Coincidentally, former Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer was visiting Taiwan at the time. The president said that he had an opportunity to meet with Mr. Downer and the two exchanged opinions on issues of mutual concern.
President Ma said his views regarding seeking reconciliation and a truce between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait within the international community came about in a large part due to his visit to Australia two years ago. During his visit there, he stressed to the media that the only way to fundamentally resolve the meaningless vicious competition between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait in the international arena is not only through the adoption of diplomatic methods, but also by addressing the state of cross-strait relations. The president said that the new ROC government has adopted this stance. He said he intends to make an inspection visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the coming days and he will further explain to persons working in the ministry the ideas of a diplomatic truce and reconciliation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait in the international arena.
President Ma furthermore said that after airing his ideas, persons on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and in the United States, Japan, and other countries have expressed interest as to how such reconciliation will be carried out. He said that while both sides have yet to discuss this issue, the topic has been talked out in local circles, adding that he believes that these discussions are healthy. President Ma said if the vicious competition continues between the two sides, resources will be wasted and this will lead to a negative reaction by the international community. He said he is confident that many people who are involved in these discussions have the same feeling.
Representative Waters said that he has spent lengthy periods on Taiwan on three occasions, which has enabled him to reside here for a total of seven years. He said that he has very much enjoyed his life on Taiwan and it is difficult for him to leave. On behalf of the Australian government, Representative Waters told President Ma that Australia is pleased to see the improvement in relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. This will not only foster regional stability and peace, but is also in the best interest of the international community, including the wellbeing of the Australian people, he said.