Although Taiwan and China have never agreed less on the nature of their relations -- which remain in a rut as presidential elections in Taiwan approach -- government officials here yesterday used the upcoming fifth anniversary of a major policy pronouncement by China's President Jiang Zemin (
Vice Chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council, Lin Chong-pin (
He said Taiwan should be allowed room to hold its own views on the nature of relations, a direct reference to the country's "special state to state" position that was announced by President Lee Teng-hui (
"Our position is one that can be discussed and used as a basis for cross-strait negotiations," Lin said.
Sunday, Jan. 30, marks the fifth anniversary of Jiang's pronouncement: "Issues on Developing Cross-Strait Relations and Advancing Peaceful Unification at the Present Stage," better known as "Jiang's Eight Points" (江八點).
Jiang's points not only stress opposition to independence or separatism or promotion of "one-China, one Taiwan," but also note China's determination not to discard the use of force as an option in handling the issue of Taiwan.
Taiwan expressed its hope that China would move away from such a rigid interpretation of relations across the Taiwan Strait.
What Taiwan wants is a return to the agreement both sides had in 1992, that negotiations could be held with room for the expression of differing views under the policy of one-China, Lin said.
"If China only sticks to Jiang's eight points, then that is regrettable," Lin said. "This shows mainland China still is taking a self-centered approach."
Taiwan says that in 1992, China and Taiwan had agreed to individual interpretations of the definition of relations under the framework of one-China.
China denies this, and now -- especially since the "state to state" announcement -- insists with even more vigor that Taiwan is a part of China and its interpretation of "one-China" is the only accepted version.
No matter what the interpretation is any one can be a foundation for cross-strait negotiations, Lin said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Taiwan would continue to step up its efforts to expand its relations as the struggle with China was far from over.
"We cannot stop and China will not cease its efforts to spread its propaganda," said a ministry spokesperson.
Meanwhile, a leading adviser to DPP presidential candidate Chen Shui-bian (
The adviser said that the DPP may announce its support for discussing "one-China" but stressed such a move did not mean it accepted China's stance.
Chen is expected to make an announcement related to Jiang's "Eight Points" tomorrow to insist the DPP is not a threat to the island's security.
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