Print

Mail

wiki links

Plans to change Constitution won't alter China ties

Proposals to move to a presidential system and other constitutional revisions wouldn't affect the nation's stance on cross-strait relations, Chen Min-tong (陳明通), vice chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council, said yesterday.

Chen made the comments yesterday at a seminar hosted by the Mainland Affairs Council and the Chinese Eurasian Education Foundation.

He was responding to comments made last week by People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜), who said that any changes to the country's Constitution would have to take into account the principle of "one China."

Chen yesterday said that constitutional changes to bring about a presidential or three-branch system of government wouldn't affect relations across the Strait.

Chen yesterday reiterated that the DPP government's stance toward China remains the "five nos" articulated by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) during his inaugural address last year.

At that time, President Chen said that as long as China doesn't use military force against Taiwan, he would not declare formal independence, change the country's name or push for language describing relations between China and Taiwan as "state-to-state" in the Constitution.

The president also said he wouldn't call for a referendum on the question of Taiwan's status or abolish the Guidelines for National Unification or the National Unification Council.

Any changes to the Constitution the DPP government is likely to propose won't involve questions of Taiwan's national identity, Chen Min-tong said yesterday.

"We are an independent, sovereignty country," he said.

"Our national title is the Republic of China, and this fundamental position will not be changed."

In addition, Chen said the DPP government still remains hopeful that Taipei and Beijing can make a breakthrough in cross-strait dialogue.
This story has been viewed 2469 times.