Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) Republic of China Vice President Annette Lu said the purpose of a "Voice from Taiwan, World Peace and Love" campaign initiated by herself is to show how a "terrible lion" -- mainland China -- can live peacefully with a "lovely cat" --Taiwan.
She made the remarks while receiving Rep. Ben Gilman, honorary chairman of the International Relations Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, delegates from South Korea and delegates from Japan who are attending the event.
She also expressed hope that the international guests will convey the "voice from Taiwan for world peace" to every corner of the earth.
Both Beijing's and Taipei's WTO entry is a consensus reached among the United States and other "important" Western countries, Lu pointed out, claiming that Beijing "plans to use cross-strait WTO entry to downgrade Taiwan to the status of that of Hong Kong and Macau" with a "one country four districts" formula with the aim of further squeezing Taiwan's space in the international arena. "We will absolutely not accept this kind of arrangement and the people in Taiwan should speak out their rejection to let the people of the whole world know of our determination," Lu stressed.
Taiwan has been isolated and forsaken by international society and the democratic Taiwan is like a "lovely kitty cat" compared with mainland China, which is like a "terrible lion," according to Lu. Her peace forum is supposed to find ways for Taiwan to live peacefully with the mainland, Lu said.
Gilman said in return that he firmly supports the ROC's bid for membership of international organizations including the United Nations. He also said that the cross-strait dispute should be resolved peacefully.
Gilman also quoted former U.S. President Ronald Reagan's statement before he signed the so-called Aug. 17 joint declaration in 1982. Part of Reagan's statement read: "Arms sales will continue in accordance with the act and with the full expectation that the approach of the Chinese government to the resolution of the Taiwan issue will continue to be peaceful. We attach great significance to the Chinese statement in the communique regarding China's fundamental policy, and it is clear from our statements that our future actions will be conducted with this peaceful policy fully in mind. We have an abiding interest and concern that any resolution be peaceful. I shall never waver from this fundamental position."