The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus in the Legislative Yuan yesterday urged Beijing to respond positively to President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) extension of an olive branch, saying that only through communication can cross-strait differences be resolved.
The DPP caucus was referring to Chen's remarks during a videoconference with the United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA) in which the president made his case for Taiwan's UN membership bid and said that he would like to debate with Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) in public on this issue if the UNCA can arrange it.
The president also said that Taiwan's UN bid was not meant as a challenge to China, and that UN membership for the country wouldn't hamper the development of relations between Taiwan and China.
Tsai Huang-liang (
Tsai said that Chen had extended an olive branch by expressing the hope of meeting with Hu, adding that he hopes China can respond in kind.
Meanwhile, DPP Legislator Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) also said that Chen attached great importance to debating with Hu because Taiwan's UN bid does not only involve cross-strait issues, but also the question of whether the UN system is fair and whether the principle of universality championed by the world body is respected.
Noting that many other countries have debated the question of UN membership for Taiwan, Hsiao said that Chen wants the two parties directly involved to debate the issue in an international forum.
She said that Chen has more than once expressed the hope of engaging in dialogue with China's leaders, adding that if the two sides could discuss the issue of UN membership for Taiwan, this would be helpful in terms of establishing a regional cooperation platform.
Meanwhile, Mainland Affairs Council Vice Chairman Chiu Tai-san (
However, Chiu stressed that the meeting, if arranged, would not involve competition, but rather discussion.
"This is not a competition; it is a way for both sides to discuss matters of reality and allow the international community a clearer understanding of the differences that exist across the Strait," Chiu said.
With regards to how China would respond to Chen's invitation, Chiu drew an analogy with election debates.
"It's like the election debates we have in Taiwan -- when one party suggests a debate on a certain topic, the other party has to decide first if they want to engage in the debate, and then when, where, and how the debate is to be conducted," Chiu said.
"There are many channels for the exchange of information, but both parties have their own considerations. We are therefore waiting for China's response," Chiu said.
Also See Full Text of Chen's Speech Inside
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