The KMT yesterday unveiled a draft of its policy platform that sets the establishment of a confederation as the goal of cross-strait relations, a design in line with a proposal by party chairman Lien Chan (
The draft will be presented for discussion during the party's 16th national congress scheduled for July 29.
While this is the first time the party has put forth a policy platform since Lien took over the KMT leadership, the platform has widely been interpreted as a solid manifestation of a party line which is different from that of former chairman Lee Teng-hui (
Lien had intended to raise the confederation proposal as part of his campaign platform during the run-up to last year's presidential election. But the plan was dropped because of Lee's disapproval.
The draft stipulates that Taiwan should lift its ban on direct cross-strait transport, trade and postal links and relax the "no haste, be patient" policy restricting Taiwanese investments in China -- a measure ordered by Lee while he was president.
The draft states that Taiwan should follow the Guidelines for National Unification in developing cross-strait relations, pursuing peaceful and stable ties on the basis of the "one China with both sides having different interpretations" consensus of 1992.
The draft proposes that a Taiwan-China military confidence mechanism and a Taiwan Strait peace zone be set up to pave the way for the establishment of a confederation. The draft also calls for Taiwan and China to put aside their political disputes and work to build a better national system for their people.
To do so, both sides should resume institutionalized negotiations and strengthen exchanges, which would include political party exchange activities as well as visits between national leaders, the draft states.
At a KMT seminar yesterday, some party members said that the KMT should make its policy platform as specific as possible, because it is a pledge with which the KMT hopes to win back power.
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