Taipei, March 19 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian asked a group of pro-Taiwan independence activists Monday not to be "overly sensitive" to the concept of "integration" between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Chen told 29 senior executives of the World Taiwanese Congress (WTC) that the term "integration" mainly refers to a process for cross-strait rapprochement. In his Lunar New Year's Eve message, Chen called for gradual cross-strait economic and political integration as a response to Beijing's demand for his recognition of its "one China" principle.
During Monday's meeting, Chen reminded WTC executives that he was sworn in as the Republic of China's 10th-term president in front of the national flag. "As ROC head of state, I must care for the well-being of all of the 23 million Taiwan residents, not just certain groups of people," Chen said.
Moreover, Chen went on, he campaigned on a "middle-of-the-road" platform in the run-up to last year's presidential election. "I must honor my campaign promise and give the ‘middle-of-the-road’approach an opportunity," he noted.
As local people remain widely divided over the issue of whether Taiwan should move toward independence or unify with mainland China, Chen said he must uphold the "middle-of-the-road" stance in order to work out a "third way" and forge a national consensus on Taiwan's future and the development of cross-strait ties.
Chen further explained that the "integration" concept would not necessarily lead to mainland China's swallowing of Taiwan. The president went on to say that although his administration has encountered many difficulties during its first year in office, he has not lost confidence in the country and the people.
Chen said his electoral victory on March 18, 2000 was a historic event as it marked the ROC's first-ever transition of power between different political parties.