The ROC government's stance in pursuit of China's eventual unification will never change, but prior to the realization of that goal, the international society should recognize the Republic of China's existence in Taiwan over the past decades, President Lee Teng-hui says this morning.
The President makes the remarks while meeting with visiting U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), who is also Democratic party whip in the Senate.
President Lee points out that Taiwan and the Chinese mainland are currently ruled by two separate, equal governments, and that "one China" refers to the China after unification.
The ROC's existence and development in the Taiwan area is an undeniable reality which the world should never ignore, he adds.
President Lee goes further to note that the Republic of China and the United States share the common values of freedom and democracy, and he expresses appreciation for the assistance and support the United States has rendered the ROC at various critical junctures over the past decades.
President Lee particularly cites the case of last March when the Clinton Administration dispatched two aircraft carrier battle groups to waters near the Taiwan Straits to dissolve the crisis arised from the missile tests and military exercises conducted by the Chinese Communists to intimidate Taiwan voters in the run-up to the ROC's first direct presidential election.
The timely move not only helped maintain security and stability in the region but also demonstrated the U.S. determination to defend freedom and democracy,
he says.
In addtion to pursing economic growth, the President notes, this country has been very actively promoting political reforms and seeking to reciprocate what she had received from the international community in the course of her development from an agricultural backwater to an industrialized economy.
Meanwhile, President Lee also tells his guest that the ROC has made great efforts at reducing her trade surplus with the United States and that the trade gap between both countries has narrowed substantially in the past decade.
For his part, Sen. Bingaman says he hopes bilateral relations between the ROC and the United States will be further strengthened in the future, adding that he believes the ROC will continue to progress under President Lee's leadership.
Accompanied by Deputy Director Christopher LaFleur of the American Institute in Taiwan's Taipei Office, Sen. Bingaman comes to the Office of the President for the meeting. Mr. Stephen S.F. Chen, deputy secretary-general to the President, and Mr. Chen Chien-jen, ROC Vice Foreign Minister, are also present.