Taipei, Feb. 23 (CNA) Republic of China Vice President Annette Lu said in Taipei Saturday that the ROC government should urge the United States to strengthen the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA).
She made the remarks while speaking at a seminar organized by the National Development Foundation on Taiwan's past and future 30 years after the signing of the Shanghai joint communique between the United States and mainland China.
Lu said that U.S. President George Bush did not hurt Taiwan's interests during his recent visit to mainland China and added that he even moved to protect Taiwan.
She expressed her heartfelt thanks and respects to Bush for his friendly moves, and went on to say that Bush's statements opened a "window of hope" for Taiwan.
Bush openly described Taiwan as a "good friend" before his departure for Beijing and stressed that the U.S. would not only defend the security of itself, but also that of friendly countries, including Taiwan, Lu said.
Regarding cross-Taiwan Strait disputes, she continued to say that Bush wanted to see a "peaceful resolution" rather than a "peaceful reunification."
Lu said that Bush also expressed his hope that nation-wide elections will be held in mainland China some day and stressed that mainland Chinese people have rights to decide their own future.
She asserted that Bush was the first U.S. president who had ever raised the Taiwan Relations Act during an official visit to Beijing.
Lu noted that Bush's remarks regarding the Taiwan issue were "prudent, precise and consistent," fully displaying his respects for Taiwan.
The vice president said that an important mission of Bush's Beijing trip was to promote "peaceful evolution of China."
She said that the ROC government should take positive action to urge the U.S. to beef up and renovate the TRA so as to cope with the new global situation.
Lu said that Taiwan, located on a vital strategic point in the Asia-Pacific area, should continue pursuing the universal value of freedom and democracy while promoting the formation of an "Asia-Pacific democratic alliance" to counter mainland China's conspiracy to isolate Taiwan.
As the Bush administration was reluctant to talk about the three joint communiques signed by the U.S. and mainland China, Lu said that the people in Taiwan should also stop their contention regarding independence and unification.
Lu said that the people should stand firm on Taiwan while extending their views to mainland China and the world fairly, and should strive to develop Taiwan into an "island of the world." She also called on the U.S. government to make equal and parallel treatment toward Beijing and Taipei.