Soong's China policy vague: Su Chi

The notion of a "quasi-international relationship" (準國際關係) between Taiwan and China, brought up by independent presidential candidate James Soong (宋楚瑜) two days ago continued to draw criticism yesterday from government officials, the KMT and opposition parties.

During a live interview with CNN on Sunday, Soong declared that the cross-strait relationship should be identified as a "quasi-international relationship with mutually exclusive sovereignty"(相對主權的準國際關係).

In response, Mainland Affairs Council Chairman Su Chi (蘇起) yesterday blasted the policy as "vague."

Su said the "special state to state relationship" (特殊國與國關係) that President Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) announced in July was both more accurate and clearer than Soong's proposals.

As to Soong's other proposal to seek a "mutual nonaggression treaty" (互不侵犯條約) monitored by international observers, Su said Beijing is very sensitive on matters of "face" and any international involvement would violate China's interpretation of the "one China" policy, as well as its view that the so-called "Taiwan problem" is an "internal problem."

Premier Vincent Siew (蕭萬長), meanwhile, said Soong was not the first person to bring up the idea of a "quasi-international relationship."

"Cross-strait policy must be stable, concrete, practical and forward-looking, and any policy that violates these principles is empty talk," said the premier, who is also the KMT's vice presidential candidate. He added that the"special state to state relationship" is a clear and concrete policy.

Jason Hu (胡志強), the KMT's presidential campaign manager, said Soong's proposal is nothing new, adding that Vice President Lien Chan (連戰) is set to announce his China policy this month.

"Lien will bring up a broader vision to bring greater interaction, stability and a future for the cross-strait relationship," said Hu.

Legislators of the New Party, widely known to favor Soong, also directed their own criticism at the independent presidential candidate's China policy.

During a press conference called by the party, Legislator Feng Hu-hsiang (馮滬祥) said "quasi-international relationship" is unacceptable and incorrect.

Meanwhile, the DPP's presidential campaign manager, Chiu I-jen (邱義仁) asked Soong to make his stance clear on both the "quasi- international relationship" and on Taiwan's joining the US Theater Missile Defense (TMD) program.

Yien Wan-chin (顏萬進), director of the DPP's China Affairs Department, said Soong's "quasi-international relationship" lowers Taiwan's status. "He dares not admit the fact that Taiwan and China are two countries, nor does he have the guts to declare his `one China' policy," Yien said.