A legislator of the ruling DPP called yesterday for equal sovereignty and peaceful exchanges with China, in a tentative response to Chinese President Jiang Zemin's (
Trong Chai (
Chai said that he will take into consideration views from all quarters before deciding whether to submit his proposed response, which he said has the endorsement of some of his DPP colleagues, to the DPP Central Standing Committee meeting.
PHOTO: CHU YU-PIN, TAIPEI TIMESN
Jiang called in his speech for Taiwan to shelve political disputes and resume cross-strait dialogue as soon as possible on the basis of the "one China" principle.
Chai said that "to implement Taiwan's independent sovereignty is the common hope of Taiwan's people." After Taiwan completed the peaceful political changeover in 2000, "we are now fighting for the goal of entering the United Nations," he said.
"As there is only one China, so Taiwan and China are two countries on either side of the Taiwan Strait," Chai said, adding that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China do not cover Taiwan.
"We adamantly support any words or deeds that identify with Taiwan's independent sovereignty; one China, one Taiwan; and one country on each side," Chai added.
He also said that on the basis of "equal sovereignty," both sides should put aside political disputes and resume cross-strait dialogue and negotiations, adding that "we would like to exchange views with China's party, political and military officials and all others, on the development of cross-strait relations and promotion of peaceful exchanges."
Saying that "we place our hope on the mainland authorities" to solve the cross-strait issue, Chai claimed that the Taiwan people have a "great tradition" of democracy and freedom and that the DPP "will fully protect the lifestyle of the Taiwan people and their wish to be their own masters."
"Cross-strait trade, postal and transportation links should provide a chance for government-to-government negotiation" and such talks should be conducted under the premise of "parity and dignity," he said.
Chai criticized Beijing's formula of "one country, two systems" as the worst approach for cross-strait exchanges, saying that only under the premise of "parity and dignity" can new chances for cross-strait exchanges be achieved.
Taiwan must determine its own fate and "the issue of referendum cannot be postponed indefinitely," Chai said, saying that with the passage of a referendum law, the destiny of Taiwan would be clearly defined.
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