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New minister explains his policy on diplomacy

Newly-appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (陳唐山) yesterday said that he did not know of any significant downturn in Taiwan-US relations since the resignation of American Institute in Taiwan Chairwoman Therese Shaheen.

"I am not clear about whether there is a rift in Taiwan-US relations. If there is, there should be some documents in the ministry, but since I have not taken over yet, I have not seen any papers in the ministry," Chen said.

"Taiwan's relations with the US are very important for the ministry. The Taiwan-US relationship must become better, and it is important that the two countries remain on good, trusting terms," he said.

Chen also remained low-key on the arrangements concerning new representatives to the US and Japan. It is rumored that Mainland Affairs Council Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) is likely to become the next top representative to the US, while Taiwan's current de facto diplomat in Japan, Lo Fu-cheng (羅福全), is expected to leave after May 20.

Chen said that he had not talked to Tsai about the post, and that he had heard nothing about Lo quitting until he read the newspapers. He said he has not yet had any contact with Tsai or Lo.

Chen did elaborate on the ministry's plans for international diplomacy, however.

"Under the framework of power politics, which is the current international political atmosphere, and the US' `one-China' policy, Taiwan's diplomatic space has come under pressure," Chen said.

He pointed out that China had been using various means to pressure Taiwan out of the diplomatic arena. To counter the pressure, Taiwan had to use diverse methods for competition, including "money diplomacy."

"Yet these days we prefer to give substantial and practical help to countries with which we share official diplomatic ties, to help them with their citizens' livelihood. We want to utilize technology that's relevant to people's livelihood to expand our diplomatic work," Chen said.

This kind of help includes transfer of agricultural and textile skills, as well as technology.

Chen also elaborated on the problematic relations with China.

"While China has been insisting that Taiwan is a part of China, it is a fact that Taiwan is a sovereign country. Taiwan has had contacts with China, but Beijing often insists on conditions that Taiwan cannot accept, such as the `one-China' ideology," Chen said.

"But the real situation is that Taiwan shares official diplomatic ties with more than 20 countries, and the US' Taiwan Relations Act and the Three Communiques declare that the issue between Taiwan and China needs to be sorted out peacefully. Based on reality, Taiwan cannot accept the conditions upon which China is insisting," he said.
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