President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) accused the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday of "coercing everyone into swallowing sugar-coated poison" by demanding that the government accept recent conclusions on cross-strait issues reached between the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
He accused the KMT of trying to curry favor with Beijing for the sake of partisan interests and carrying out a "political struggle" against the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) "under the pretense of promoting economic and trade exchanges" with China.
Chen made the remarks while receiving representatives of the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce at the Presidential Office Building.
He was referring to conclusions reached at last week's KMT-CCP economic forum in Beijing, in which the two parties agreed to promote direct transport links, enhance cross-strait agricultural exchanges, strengthen cross-strait financial exchanges, encourage Taiwan's services sector to enter the Chinese market, boost cross-strait tourism and seek to establish a stable mechanism for cross-strait economic cooperation.
Chen said the government was not against China or the Chinese people or cross-strait economic and trade exchanges, but that Taiwan must not harbor any "wishful thinking" or turn a blind eye to the potential danger and crisis underlying cross-strait economic activities.
Chen said the government hopes to engage in dialogue and consultations with China but would not accept any attempts by Beijing to downgrade and marginalize Taiwan and to deny the legitimacy of the government and sovereignty of Taiwan.
He said it was part of China's united front tactics against Taiwan to bypass the popularly elected government, which he said was unhelpful to the development of cross-strait economy and trade.
He said that improving law and order, preventing a bird flu outbreak and boosting the economy were the three major goals of the Cabinet led by Premier Su Tseng-chang (
The president praised Su for properly handling Taiwan-US relations and cross-strait ties.
On media reports that Su was at odds with Chen on cross-strait policy, Chen dismissed the stories as "unfactual reports" aimed at driving a wedge between Su and himself.
Chen said Su's April 12 announcement regarding the government's policy towards cross-strait charter flight services, visits to Taiwan by Chinese tourists and the export of agricultural products to China was based on his instruction that the government must take the initiative in cross-strait relations.
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