Matsu, June 20 (CNA) Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian said on this ROC-controlled offshore island Wednesday that weapons are not the only way to secure the nation. He also reiterated that the government will continue to try to reopen deadlocked cross-Taiwan Strait talks.
The president made the remarks while lunching with members of the ROC armed forces stationed on the Matsu island group. Chen, accompanied by Defense Minister Wu Shih-wen and Chief of the General Staff Gen. Tang Ming-yao, arrived on Matsu to inspect the defenses there and to wish a happy Dragon Boat Festival to military personnel stationed there.
Chen pointed out that under the stimulus of nationalism, Beijing, in addition to endeavoring to keep Taiwan off the international stage, refuses to renounce the threat of force to take Taiwan.
Chen also said that without compromising national security, the government will gradually review and relax the current cross-strait trade policy based on the law and the spirit of reciprocity.
He added that the Executive Yuan is reviewing problems arising from the Jan. 1 implementation of the "three mini links" between the ROC-held islands of Kinmen and Matsu and the ports of Xiamen and Mawei in Fujian Province.