Miaoli, northern Taiwan, Oct. 23 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Wednesday that the opening of direct cross-Taiwan Strait trade, postal and transportation links is crucial, but not a panacea for Taiwan's economic ills.
Chen called for the public not to simplify the "three links" issue too much, but to strive instead to accomplish the long-awaited and oft-discussed links issue with vigilance and trepidation.
The president made the remarks during a visit to a fishing port presently under construction in Miaoli County.
During the visit, Miaoli County Magistrate Fu Hsueh-peng proposed that Chen sees to it that the links are opened as soon as possible.
Fu noted that the Waipu Fishing Port is only 70 nautical miles from mainland China, requiring a sailing time of just 3.5 hours.
The geographic advantages of the port will help it become a multifunctional seaport serving fishermen, tourists and holidaymakers, he added.
Responding to Fu's proposal, Chen stressed that he knows very well that the public has great expectations for direct transportation links, but he warned it is an issue of great importance, complexity and sensitivity.
Noting that links issue is not one of "wishful thinking," he urged the public not to be naive and not to over-simplify the matter.
Technically speaking, Chen went on, of the "three links," only direct air and shipping links remain closed so far. He said he is sincere in his willingness to negotiate with his Beijing counterpart on the opening of transportation links, but only if Beijing agrees not to dwarf, localize or marginalize Taiwan.
He further said that mainland Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen's Oct. 16 idea of labeling direct transport links as "cross-strait" rather than "domestic" routes is welcomed, but he added that although he has not seen or heard any further statements from the Beijing authorities confirming Qian's remarks he would rather believe in Qian's goodwill and sincerity than harbor any doubts.
Chen went on to say that Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh, who will represent him at the upcoming APEC informal leadership summit in Mexico, will convey his goodwill to mainland President Jiang Zemin in this regard.