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Chen and Soong meet to discuss policy concerns

President Chen Shui-bian, left, and People First Party Chairman James Soong shake hands before their first formal meeting at the Taipei Guest House last night. PHOTO: CHEN CHENG-CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) met last night in Taipei to discuss a variety of topics and both agreed that greater communication was key for all political parties.

This was the first time since Chen's inauguration in May that Soong, who was runner-up in the election, met the new president.

The two said the main topics of their conversation included relations with China, halting the stock market slide and cleaning up corruption. Both said the atmosphere of their talks was good, and they urged all political parties to put aside individual interests and devote themselves to the people's welfare and Taiwan's future.

The closed-door meeting was a "significant step toward political reconciliation," Chen said, adding that it could be a historic step in the transformation of party politics.

Chen personally welcomed Soong at the front door of the main building of the Taipei Guest House at 8pm and made an opening speech to reporters to express his gratitude for Soong's help in organizing the meeting.

"Soong's experience in leading the Taiwan Provincial Government was well known as outstanding," Chen said. "We have invited many talented people from the team he once led during his term to join the new government."

Chen told Soong that he wanted to set up a "hotline" between the president and the various political parties to further open lines of communication.

"And I reaffirm my sincere desire to invite Soong and the PFP to join the president's advisory group on cross-strait relations. All suggestions that the opposition has will be taken into consideration," Chen said.

Soong and the PFP had previously refused to join the advisory group, saying the president should convene a meeting of the National Reunification Committee (國統會) and that there was no need to set up the new task force.

Chen also asked Soong for his cooperation on economic affairs, post-quake reconstruction and ending "black gold" politics.

Soong later said that he felt that Chen had spoken sincerely and that the opposition party should put aside personal feelings to help the government as it faces the challenges of leading the country.

"The people of the Republic of China understand that our nation is beset with difficulties, both domestic and international," Soong said.

Soong said that the government should accept the facts of history and insist on maintaining the constitutional system "as that of the Republic of China."

"We are Taiwanese and also Chinese, and we have to do our best to improve the welfare of Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait," Soong said.

"One thing that we can all agree on is the rejection of Beijing's conditions for unification. The PFP wants to ensure that all the people of Taiwan have the right to decide their future," he said.

Soong went on to criticize the Cabinet for using the ideology of the DPP to decide the fate of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, while ignoring the economic realities that the country faces.

"While the country is facing a crisis in power and water supplies," Soong said, "the government should consider more than just its own policy platform."

Chen said that last night's meeting was not the last.

"This is absolutely not the last time [we will meet]," Chen said after the meeting. "

Chen and Soong were accompanied by Secretary-General to the Presidential Office Yu Shyi-kun, and the PFP's secretary-general, Chun Jung-chi (鍾榮吉).
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