Taipei, Nov. 18 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Monday that Taiwan will agree to "conditional" cross-strait transportation links only when national security can be ensured.
President Chen made the remarks when he received a four-member delegation from the National Committee on United States-China Relations headed by former U.S. Defense Secretary William Perry, which arrived here Saturday for a three-day fact-finding visit.
The president said that though cross-strait transportation links will benefit Taiwan, they could also bring great impact. The majority of Taiwan people care most about whether national security can be safeguarded after opening cross-strait transportation links, and this is the reason "we have to be cautious," the president said.
The president said that some people have considered direct cross-strait links the panacea to stimulate Taiwan's economy, and a needed shot in the arm to lift the country out of its present doldrums, a remedy which he described as too much "wishful thinking."
He said that direct cross-strait transportation links, instead of rerouting via Hong Kong, Macau or a third country as in the present situation, will surely be more convenient and cut costs, but the government will not ignore the fact that such links involve the rights and interests, as well as the life, property and safety of the 23 million people on Taiwan.
Chen reiterated that the government will not oppose "conditional cross-strait transportation links, " but the links will have to base on the principles of "democracy, equality and peace." During the consultation process, Taiwan must also not be "denigrated, localized or marginalized."
He also told the American visitors that the 400 missiles that mainland China deploys along its southeast coast targeting Taiwan, "may be far from the United States, " but it means that Taiwan people live constantly under the fear of military intimidation. "Taiwan hopes to have normal relations with mainland China, " but with its national security under threat from these missiles, and the fact that Beijing has never renounced its use of force against Taiwan, Taiwan will have to exercises "great caution" in establishing cross-strait links.
The president also said that the government hopes mainland China's new leadership headed by Hu Jingtao will be able to "change and adjust" its policy toward Taiwan, and that the olive branches extended by Beijing's friendly remarks are "sincere, " and not a "united front" strategy.
Noting that Beijing has insisted on Taiwan accepting the "one China" principle and its "one county, two systems" rhetoric, which he said are setting the premise that Taiwan must become the second Hong Kong, which he said will not be accepted by the government and the majority of the people on Taiwan.