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Nation must `go its own way': Chen

"We should not have any illusions about seeking peace by stooping to compromise with China."

President Chen Shui-bian

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday reiterated that Taiwan should stop having unrealistic expectations of China and that it must "go its own way."

The president also encouraged Taiwanese business leaders to follow the government's "go south" policy to invest in Southern Asian countries instead of becoming too reliant on the China market.

"It's good to create fortunes overseas, however, Taiwan's national security should be considered a priority and the public interest must be put first," Chen said when addressing at the opening of the ninth annual meeting of the Asian Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce.

"If our country is not secure, making more money doesn't mean anything," Chen told the group of business leaders.

Chen exhorted his audience to refrain from making themselves too reliant on China, saying that the China market is just one of a vast web of world markets they should be targeting.

"All Taiwanese businesspeople should map out a global strategy for developing the economy," Chen said. "The government will work devoutly behind everyone to jointly do our best under the `go south' policy to expand investments in Southeast Asian countries."

The president also expressed his admiration to those Asia-based Taiwanese business leaders who have staunchly supported the nation and the government's policies, urging them to continue doing so.

"I hope all of Taiwan's business-people will recognize that without Taiwan itself, there would be no Taiwanese businesspeople and that if Taiwan becomes strong, Taiwan's businesspeople will have a future on the international stage," he said.

Chen also took a shot at China, criticizing Beijing's moves to suppress Taiwan in the international community and its refusal to renounce the use of force against the country.

"Beijing has still not given any positive response to Taiwan's repeated demonstrations of goodwill over the past two years, therefore Taiwan should seriously consider going our own way and working to create our own future," Chen said.

Chen also called on the nation and on business leaders around the world to stop harboring any illusions about Beijing.

"No matter what, Taiwan can not downgrade itself to China," Chen said. "We should not have any illusions about seeking peace by stooping to compromise with China."

Chen reiterated that the government still expects to improve cross-strait relations and that it will never give up any opportunity that may lead to new possibilities in addressing the cross-strait stalemate.

"Taiwan needs to survive and develop, however, the other side of the Strait just wants to annex Taiwan," Chen said. "We cannot just keep silent when being bullied by others."

The ninth annual meeting of the Asian Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce began yesterday morning at the Sheraton Taipei with some 300 Taiwanese business delegates from Australia, New Zealand and eight other countries in Southeast Asia and Latin America participating.
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