President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen made the comment in response to a visiting Japanese delegation, who expressed interest in the content of the speech. On Sunday, Chen had said that he would deliver an important policy statement on relations with China in his National Day speech on Oct. 10.
Response to Beijing
The speech will be a response to a May 17 statement issued by the Chinese Communist Party and the Beijing government's Taiwan Affairs Office, Chen said.
"For the sake of Taiwan's long-term security and stability, cross-strait relations should be normalized," Chen told his Japanese guests, who were in Taipei attending the 2004 Forum on Taiwan-Japan Relations.
"I hope the National Day speech will help ease tensions and unnecessary confrontation and close the cross-strait gap," Chen said.
Chen did not further elaborate on the content of the speech.
Chen told the Japanese delegation that Taiwan is simply "maintaining the status quo of Taiwan's democracy, prosperity and peace.
"Yet as Taiwan tries to become a normal country, to step out -- including becoming an observer in the World Health Organization, joining the UN and signing free trade agreements with other countries -- other countries have been misled by the Beijing authorities [and see this] as Taiwan's attempts to damage the status quo," Chen said.
Chen added that his push for constitutional reform -- a move aimed at enhancing Taiwan's competitiveness and government efficiency -- had also been distorted by China as an attempt at destroying the cross-strait status quo.
Chen told the delegation that Taiwan and Japan shared many features, such as a striving to move on from the past and become more engaged in international affairs.
Chen said he had noticed discussion in Japan in recent years on constitutional change and becoming a "normal nation."
Noting Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's recent remarks at the UN that his country wished to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Chen said that the move symbolized Japan's goals and hopes that it could play a more active role in international affairs.
"This thinking demonstrates that Japan, through introspection, reflection and the undertaking of reforms, is attempting to step out of the past and be prepared for the competition that lies ahead in the 21st century," Chen said. "So is Taiwan."
"After experiencing democratization and a wave of economic development, Taiwan is also reflecting on the issue of national identity and hoping to become a normal, complete nation," Chen said.
Participation
"Taiwan's people are also looking forward to a new Constitution ... to enhance the government's efficiency and the nation's competitiveness and face the challenge of globalization in the 21st century," he said.
The people of Taiwan wish to take part in international affairs and to share with others Taiwan's democratic and economic experience, he added.
Aside from similar experiences in national development, Chen said the two countries shared the closest geographical and strategic interests in the Asia-Pacific region.
"Taiwan and Japan, both being oceanic nations, have much room in which to cooperate on cross-strait issues, the Asian security framework and the Asia-Pacific economy," Chen said.
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