President Ma Ying-jeou on the morning of June 25 at the Presidential Office met with former United States Secretary of Defense Mr. William Perry and a delegation he is leading from the National Committee on United States-China Relations. President Ma extended a warm welcome to the guests on their visit to Taiwan.
President Ma said that he realizes everyone is very concerned about topics related to Taiwan's security and ability to defend itself. In the wake of an improvement in relations between Taiwan and Mainland China, these are matters of interest not only to the people of Taiwan, but also to the United States, Japan and Europe. As a result, President Ma said he clearly stated his position on these topics in his inauguration address. The president noted that Taiwan will rationalize its defense budget and auquire necessary defensive weaponry with the objective of demonstrating its determination to protect itself. At the same time, however, he stressed that Taiwan will be a peacemaker and will adopt stances that will put other countries in the region at ease. Taiwan will pursue peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, he said, noting that Taiwan's improvement in relations with Mainland China will first begin in the realm of economics and will gradually progress to seeking more international space for Taiwan. Ultimately, he said that the two sides in the future could discuss a peace treaty.
President Ma also said that Taiwan and the United States have a deep relationship, which stretches beyond economics. He said that the United States is the main destination for many Taiwan students who seek to study abroad and that Taiwan hopes to continue to maintain this close relationship. In mentioning the presidential election held here in March, President Ma said that the opinion expressed that moved him the most was made by US President George W. Bush, who wrote in his congratulatory letter that Taiwan is a beacon of democracy to Asia and the world.
In addition to thanking President Ma for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with them, the guests also congratulated the president on winning the election and on his inauguration. They expressed their admiration for the democratic accomplishments of Taiwan and also praised President Ma's inauguration address, saying that it clearly set forth his position on many important topics.
Former Defense Secretary Perry said that while the United States, China and Taiwan pursue bilateral relationships with each other on their own, a stable trilateral relationship also generates many common benefits. He said that in the future, all parties should work with these interests in mind to further develop this relationship and strengthen mutual cooperation.
The guests and President Ma then exchanged opinions on topics related to national security, cross-strait affairs, and the Taiwan-US relationship.
In addition to Mr. Perry, the delegation included Admiral Joseph Prueher, Ambassador Robert Blackwill, Dr. Ashton B. Carter, Stephen A. Orlins, Hsu Ta-lin, Dr. David Lampton, Dr. Kurt Campbell, Dr. Ashley Tellis, Dr. Evan Medeiros, Jan Berris and Deborah Gordon. The delegation was accompanied in the morning to the Presidential Office by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrew Li-Yan Hsia. Also in attendance was National Security Council Secretary-General Su Chi.