President Ma Ying-jeou on the afternoon of July 22 at the Presidential Office met with US-Taiwan Business Council Chairman of the Board Paul D. Wolfowitz. The president, on behalf of the Republic of China government and 23 million people of Taiwan, extended a warm welcome and appreciation to Mr. Wolfowitz.
President Ma noted that Mr. Wolfowitz in the past served as President of the World Bank and US Deputy Secretary of Defense. He said that Mr. Wolfowitz has long been an international friend to and supporter of Taiwan, and therefore he is extremely pleased to personally meet with him today.
President Ma said that since his election on March 22 and his inauguration on May 20, the US government has given Taiwan significant support and assistance. He particularly pointed out that after he was elected, US President George W. Bush sent a congratulatory message to him. In the message, President Bush lauded Taiwan as a beacon of democracy in Asia and the world. The president said this symbolizes that Taiwan-US relations have entered a new stage. The most important change, President Ma said, is that the United States is no longer concerned that Taiwan will take unilateral action to change the status quo. He said that cross-strait relations are entering a new era in which stability, peace and the pursuit of prosperity are being stressed. He said that President Bush and China President Hu Jintao spoke over the phone on March 26. During their conversation, the topic of the “1992 Consensus” between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait was discussed. China President Hu mentioned that both sides had an understanding on the stance of “one China, respective interpretations.” President Ma said he believes that this position will have an important impact on the development of relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.
President Ma furthermore said that given this climate, cross-strait relations are progressing smoothly. The two sides in the middle of June resumed negotiations that had been suspended for 10 years, and both agreed, starting in July, to commence direct charter flights between the two sides during the weekends. Taiwan has also liberalized tourism to Taiwan by tourists from Mainland China. President Ma stressed that as never happening in the past decades, this marks an extremely important turning point in Taiwan’s history. At the same time, the United States and Japan no longer need to be concerned of the outbreak of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait. As a result, more attention can be focused on strengthening substantive ties in other areas of the relationship. In addition, if cross-strait relations can proceed in the planned path and direction, peace and prosperity will prevail in the Taiwan Strait. The area will no longer be a potential flash point for military conflict. The United States and Japan will be able to concurrently develop friendly relations with Taiwan and Mainland China without having to worry that military action will be seen between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, he said. This also means that the United States and Japan will not be forced to take sides or to make difficult decisions in the event of a conflict between the two sides.
President Ma also said that he is confident that changes in the direction of Taiwan’s development will also change Taiwan’s destiny. Even though time will be needed to forge peace and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait, he said he is certain that future development between the two sides will move down this path.
Chairman Wolfowitz expressed his gratitude to President Ma for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with him. He said that Taiwan will receive even more support from the United States amid an improvement in relations between Taiwan and Mainland China.