Good relations between the US and China would help the latter to become a freer, democratic country that accepts international order and norms, President Chen Shui-bian (
"We wish that all authoritarian countries in Asia could become nations with freedom and democracy," the president said.
Chen made his remarks as he received a delegation from the US Senate led by Joseph Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The president said the government has dealt cautiously with cross-strait and diplomatic issues. "I think everyone has perceived my discretion in handling those issues. But why does the development of today's cross-strait relations fail to satisfy the people? I believe the problem is with China, not Taiwan," he said.
Chen also blamed China for refusing to accept the government's sincerity and determination to improve cross-strait relations.
"We deeply regret that while Taiwan has made efforts to establish the `small three links' and allow Chinese people to visit Taiwan, China ignores everything," he said.
Chen said he hopes the US Congress will continue to support Taiwan's efforts to enter international organizations and that the lawmaking body can become a driving force in promoting Taiwan-US relations.
At the end of the meeting, the president stressed again that -- in the face of China's military threat -- Taiwan must have its own defensive power, and that Taiwan's procurement of weapons was for self defense, not for provoking China or triggering an arms race.
The president said he hoped the US delegates would help thaw icy cross-strait relations when they travel to China to meet with President Jiang Zemin (
Today, the senators plan to travel to Shanghai, where they will meet the American Chamber of Commerce, graduate students at Fudan University and Shanghai Mayor Xu Kuangdi (
The delegation tomorrow plans to meet with Jiang and Zhu at Beidaihe, a seaside resort in northern China where the nation's top leaders meet each summer.
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