The Taiwanese government can not accept the "one China" principle when engaging in cross-strait talks, despite it being a precondition for China, because both sides must be on an equal footing if involved in any negotiations, according to Wei Jingsheng (魏京生), one of China's most well-known exiled dissidents.
"When both countries enter into negotiations, it is vital that both sides are treated equally. Taiwan should never accept the `one China' principle [requested by the Chinese government] and no negotiations should be opened under this premise. If you give in on this, [China] will ask you to concede more," said Wei,
"No matter what possibilities the negotiations may hold, it is crucial [for Taiwan] to stand steadfast. Otherwise, it would be like surrendering to the enemy before the war begins."
Wei made the remarks yesterday when paying a visit to the New Party headquarters to exchange views with New Party lawmakers concerning Taiwan-China relations and the prospects for Chinese democratization.
The Chinese dissident, jailed for 17 years by the Beijing government for advocating multi-party democracy in China, seized the opportunity to reiterate the importance of democracy and partisan politics.
"On the surface, China's elections might look democratic, but in fact the overwhelming majority can not participate in them. People's basic human rights are not being protected and they are being deprived of their freedom of speech," he said.
Despite his dauntless effort in support of multi-party democracy in China, Wei was not optimistic about China's political environment.
It seems unlikely Chinese authorities are going to liberalize the establishment of parties, he said, because the Chinese regime has taken a very tough stance on the formation of any organizations.
When asked why he opposed Beijing's hosting of the 2008 Olympics, Wei said he was concerned about the lack of progress in the protection of human rights.
He said if China were permitted to host the Olympic Games, it would be great propaganda for the Chinese government, which would utilize being a host country for the Olympics as a pretext to justify its being anti-democratic.
Being allowed to host the prestigious games would be a message China leaders would read as meaning the international community did not care about and would not punish their infringements of human rights, Wei said.
He stressed that the Chinese people were not the only force in the drive to make China a democracy. The pressure from other countries played an important role as well.
Beijing is competing against four other cities to become the host of the 2008 Olympics. Chinese authorities have gone all out vying for the position, bridling at suggestions that politics should be a consideration. The International Olympic Committee will announce its choice in July.
Wei is in Taiwan for a two-week stay under the invitation of Shih Ming-teh (施明德), a former Taiwanese dissident and now an independent lawmaker.
The two are to conduct nine rounds of dialogues on issues concerning democracy, human rights and the future of cross-strait relations. Today, Wei will visit Green Island, previously a jail for political prisoners, with Shih.
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