KMT News Release

KMT News Release

Statement of Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung

at the Central Standing Committee, October 29

Sources: KMT

Accepting an invitation from Chiang Pin-kung, Chairman of Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), Chen Yunlin, Chairman of Mainland China’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), is set to lead a delegation to Taiwan from November 3 to November 7. Both organizations will conduct consultations and sign agreements. This is the fourth round of talks between top leaders of both organizations since the Koo-Wang talks in Singapore in April, 1993, and this is also their second round of talks after the KMT returned to power in May this year. More significantly, this is the first-ever time for the ARATS Chairman to set foot on Taiwan, a historic event symbolizing that cross-Strait relations have entered a benign circle.

During the rule of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) over the past eight years, SEF-ARATS interactions had come to a complete halt, and any issues concerning the interests of people could not be protected via consultations between both organizations. Meanwhile, the DPP administration’s provocative moves constantly ran over the “red line” in the Taiwan Strait. This not only heightened cross-Strait tensions, but also led the international community to doubt Taiwan’s real motives. Fortunately, the KMT established contacts with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) beginning 2005, and the Mainland authorities were able to avoid misjudgments that might have led to political and military confrontations across the Taiwan Strait.

After Mr. Ma Ying-jeou was elected in the 3/22 Presidential Election with 58% of the vote, congratulatory messages from many countries all beseeched us to improve cross-Strait relations and to ease tensions. In President Ma’s inaugural address, he demonstrated our sincerity and goodwill, and defended Taiwan’s dignity and cross-Strait parity. His speech won praise from around the world. US President George W. Bush even praised it as “Wonderful,” and said that he was “Excited” about the speech. President Ma’s inaugural address had laid a cornerstone for the resumption of cross-Strait talks.

On May 28, when I met with CCP General Secretary Hu Jintao, we agreed that both organizations should resume talks in the “shortest time” possible. Mainland China’s ARATS immediately sent a formal invitation to the SEF calling for talks in Beijing. On June 13 in Beijing, Chairman Chiang and Chairman Chen signed two agreements, one on the weekend charter flights and the other on the opening of Taiwan market for Mainland tourists. Both accords were well received by the people of Taiwan.

Those two agreements met the urgent needs of Taiwan at the time. The upcoming Chiang-Chen talks in Taipei will address four important issues, namely, “The Cross-Strait Air Transport Agreement,” “The Cross-Strait Sea Transport Agreement,” “The Cross-Strait Postal Agreement,” and “The Cross-Strait Food Safety Agreement.” These achievements would have been impossible under the DPP rule. Therefore, every public opinion survey indicates that a majority of the public supports the Chiang-Chen talks (65% according to a survey conducted by the Mainland Affairs Council, 59.33% according to Apple Daily’s survey, 55% according to a survey conducted by TVBS, 50.3% according to the Global Views Magazine’s survey, and 50% according to a survey by the Research, Development and Evaluation Commission under the Executive Yuan). Thus, it is evident that Chen Yunlin’s visit to Taiwan is a necessary move for progress in the cross-Strait relations, and it has the support of the mainstream opinion of Taiwan. Taiwan’s society cannot allow this achievement to be smeared or distorted by the opposition camp.

In 1991, The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and the Association for Relations Across the Straits (ARATS) established a consultation mechanism. Since then, the consultations between both sides of the Strait have been based on the principles of “shelving political disputes” and “promoting the people’s welfare.” Even now, we still stick to the principles of “upholding Taiwan’s dignity” and “cross-Strait parity” All of the results of the consultations have been favorable to Taiwan. The development of the cross-Strait relations had been stalled under the DPP’s eight-year rule. To avoid Taiwan’s economy from being marginalized, to elevate Taiwan’s competitiveness and to improve cross-Strait relations, both the SEF and the ARATS must, more than ever, work closely. Only by doing so can we improve our economic interests and uphold the public’s rights. The talks between the both sides will definitely not impair Taiwan’s political status and will only be conducive to the maintenance of the status quo. It is absolutely unreasonable for the opposition camp to obstruct the dialogues across the Strait.

Dignity or Taiwan’s self-identity is not a slogan. It will be manifested through cross-Strait consultations on an equal footing. Both the mainstream vox populi in Taiwan and the international community look forward to a successful Chiang-Chen meeting. Only the DPP holds different views and tries to obstruct the talks. We are willing to show our utmost respect for the opposition parties’ right to express their views by legal means. However, we cannot tolerate their use of violence for it can only harm the image of Taiwan. The government will have to exert its power to crack down on violence. Taiwan wants to be a good host. We must show our hospitality. People in the world are watching and Taiwan must demonstrate to the world the spirit of democracy and respect for the rule of law.

Since KMT regained power earlier this year, we have pursued the policies of “no unification, no independence and no use of force” in cross-Strait relations. The maintenance of the status quo allows us to aggressively push for more reciprocal economic ties across the Strait. We want to create a win-win situation for both sides. That is why people chose President Ma Ying-jeou as our leader. Now, it’s time to honor his commitments. Under the Constitution and the democratic system, the sovereignty of the ROC will be upheld. The future of Taiwan is in the hands of the Taiwan people. There is no doubt about it. The consultations between the SEF and the ARATS do not mean a change in the status quo. In reality, it will only promote the welfare of the people and enhance Taiwan’s security.

The KMT pursues peaceful relations for people on both sides of the Strait in its Mainland policy. Thus, the KMT will show its fullest support for the government and wish the Chiang-Chen talks success. We urge the public to observe the spirit of democracy, to uphold the rule of law and to show hospitality. Taiwan must demonstrate to the international community the resolve that we want to be a peacemaker in the world.

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