Taipei, Jan. 28 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Monday he hopes that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait can do more to increase "bilateral economic exchanges, contacts and trust" while reducing "politics, misunderstanding and suppression."
Chen made the remarks while meeting with American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairman Richard Bush, who is currently on a 13-day visit to Taiwan to inspect AIT operations here and meet with senior ROC officials, political party leaders and business executives.
During their talks, Chen also welcomed mainland Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen's recent softened stance regarding cross-strait relations.
Commenting on Qian's remarks, Chen said he welcomes any mainland gestures and steps that are conducive to the improvement of cross-strait relations.
Chen further said Qian's remarks indicate that the mainland has become more pragmatic in facing up to the political realities following Taiwan's legislative elections last December in which the DPP won the largest number of seats up for grabs. "The choice of the Taiwanese people should be respected and accepted by all members of the international community, including mainland China," Chen said.
Stressing that the DPP will not change its policy on cross-strait relations after it becomes the largest party in Taiwan's new legislature to be sworn in Feb. 1, Chen said his administration has the sincerity and determination to improve and stabilize cross-strait ties.
Chen said he expressed hope in his New Year's message that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait can engage in active cooperation. "I believe that with goodwill and sincerity, the two sides will be able to mend their differences and upgrade bilateral relations."
Turning to relations with the United States, Chen said the Republic of China government is grateful for U.S. assistance in helping stabilize cross-strait relations over the years.
He said even though the United States cannot play the role of mediator in cross-strait engagements, it can certainly act as a "stabilizer and balancer." "We really feel the sincerity of the U.S. government to help lay a foundation for steady development of cross-strait relations in the past couple of years," Chen noted.
He went on to say that continued U.S. sale of defensive weapons to Taiwan has helped safeguard Taiwan's hard-won democratic achievements. "Without the support and encouragement of the U.S. government and people, Taiwan might not have been able to transform itself into a mature democracy so smoothly."
Chen further said he hopes that the annual sub-Cabinet-level economic dialogue between the two countries can resume as soon as possible to discuss trade issues following Taiwan's Jan. 1 entry to the World Trade Organization. Last year's sub-Cabinet dialogue was canceled after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.
Meanwhile, Chen said he hopes the Bush administration will grant a visa to ROC Minister of Justice Chen Ding-nan so that he can travel to the United States to sign an agreement on mutual judicial assistance.
Noting that Taiwan is seeking to become an observer of the World Health Organization (WHO), Chen said Taiwan needs continued U.S. support for this bid. "With this U.S. support, we would be more confident of our prospects for obtaining WHO observer status," he added.