Lien's remarks dismay Chinese communist friends

KMT Chairman Lien Chan's (連戰) speech last week, in which he said "oppose the Communists, defend Taiwan" has raised concerns in China about the KMT's stance, the Chinese-language media reported yesterday.

The report quoted unnamed sources in China as saying that, faced with the KMT's unfriendly gesture, China would not rule out the possibility of adjusting its approach toward the party in the future.

At the KMT's Central Standing Committee meeting last Wednesday, Lien stressed that the party is determined to maintain the nation's dignity and identity within the framework of the Constitution.

"The KMT holds fast to the `Taiwan first' principle, and will resolutely oppose Communists and defend Taiwan," Lien said.

The speech immediately aroused concern among China's government agencies in charge of Taiwan affairs since the KMT has not used such strong and provocative words for several years, the report said.

Through its communicative channels with Taiwan, China is trying to gain an understanding of the full content and the background of Lien's speech. China suspects the statement is an unfriendly gesture from the KMT, the report said.

China has maintained good relations with the KMT since President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) took office in 1999.

China has not directly contacted the DPP administration partly because the KMT has repeatedly emphasized its willingness to adopt the so-called "1992 consensus" as a basis on which Taiwan can resume talks with China, the report quoted unnamed sources as saying.

President Chen Shui-bian has said that adoption of the 1992 consensus would be equivalent to giving up Taiwan's sovereignty and a accepting a "one country, two systems" Hong Kong-style reunification deal.

Some sources cited by the report claimed, however, that Lien's remarks should be seen as a response to accusations, in the run-up to the elections last month, that the KMT was uniting with China against Taiwan. But, the sources added, Lien's statement had forced China to re-evaluate the erstwhile ruling party's attitude toward cross-strait relations.

Responding to the comments, Su Chi (蘇起), a former Mainland Affairs Council chairman and currently a convener at a KMT think tank, said that the KMT had maintained a middle-of-the-road line.

Su explained that the party opposes communist systems, not China, and it has dedicated itself to protecting Taiwan for decades.

Due to its "middle path," Su said, the party has often failed to please either side. Without the KMT's role as a buffer, Taiwan would only have Chen and former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) to represent Taiwan's voice, and thus would definitely face military attack from China, Su said.

Su said that it has been the KMT's contribution to society that has preserved Taiwan's security.