Chen updates cross-strait `guidelines'

Announcing the "one principle, three insistences and five oppositions" as the government's new guidelines for cross-strait policy, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday said the government preferred not to open direct links if they could not be managed properly.

Chen made the remarks during the fourth anniversary celebrations for the founding of the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) held at the Taipei Ambassador Hotel yesterday.

Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) was also in attendance. In addition to their speeches, the interaction between Lee and Chen was the focus of attention.

Chen said that the guidelines had become more complex in response to the recent series of visits by pan-blue opposition leaders to China.

"The `one principle' is to protect Taiwan's sovereignty and negotiate with China under the principle of democracy, equity and peace," Chen said.

"Taiwan is willing to talk to China in a government-to-government mode and requires that all disputes must be settled by peaceful means. Armed force is forbidden," he said.

"The `three insistences' refer to not weakening our convictions in relation to democratic reform, persisting with protecting Taiwan's interests ... and not deviating from our mission to transform Taiwan into a great and progressive country," he said.

Chen said that the "five oppositions" referred to the government opposing Beijing's "one China" policy and the "one country, two systems" framework that would make Taiwan follow in Hong Kong or Macao's footsteps.

"We also oppose the `1992 consensus' placed within the context of `one China' or `one country, two systems,' and reject any proposal that is premised on `unification,'" Chen said.

"And we firmly oppose the so-called `Anti-Secession' Law. I believe that all TSU members can identify with these points," he said.

Chen said that although the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the TSU share the same political convictions and have a steadfast partnership, their roles and missions are different.

He said that the DPP, as the governing party, has to deal with the problem of national identity and other complex issues passed on by the old government, and that it was impossible for the DPP to negate the damage from the past all at once.

"Former president Lee ... can understand my difficulties most of all," he said.

Chen said the DPP and the TSU agreed that China is the biggest threat to the national security and cross-strait development.

"China does not accept the fact that Taiwan is an independent country with sovereignty and is enhancing its oppression of Taiwan in every way -- diplomatically, economically, culturally and socially -- in an attempt to annex Taiwan," he said.

"In the face of such a stern challenge, the people of Taiwan must build a sense of crisis and fortify the idea that Taiwan must occupy the foremost place [in our minds] so that we can ward off China's attempts to sow disunity," he said.

Notified in advance that Chen and Lee would share the same stage, the function room was crowded with guests and supporters for TSU candidates in the year-end elections for local constituencies.

Boisterous cheering and waving flags turned the event into something akin to a campaign rally as TSU Chairman Shu Chin-chiang (蘇進強) introduced the party's candidates individually.

Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌), DPP Secretary-General Lee Yi-yang (李逸洋) and leaders of pro-independence groups also attended the function.