Japan, Australia and Singapore have all responded positively to President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) Oct. 10 Double Ten National Day address, saying Chen's peace overtures are conducive to easing tension in the Taiwan Strait, a diplomatic official said yesterday.
"The three Asian-Pacific countries have given a thumbs-up to President Chen's peace appeals to China, saying that the initiatives could help ease cross-strait tension and facilitate resumption of bilateral dialogue," Chen Shan-lin (陳杉林), deputy director of the Asia-Pacific Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told a news conference yesterday.
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement immediately after Chen delivered his speech, reaffirming Tokyo's commitment to maintaining friendly non-governmental substantive relations with Taiwan and urging the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to resolve their disputes through peaceful negotiations.
The Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a public statement recognizing Chen's peace overtures. The statement also said that Singapore was pleased to see him deliver an address that would contribute to the easing of cross-strait tension.
Meanwhile, major Australian newspapers ran editorials recognizing Chen's call for the establishment of a cross-strait military trust mechanism as helpful for lowering cross-strait tensions. The Australian news media also encouraged the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to end their hostility as early as possible.
The president proposed that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait use the basis of the 1992 meeting in Hong Kong to seek possible ways that are "not necessarily perfect, but acceptable" in preparation for a step forward in the resumption of long-stalled cross-strait dialogue and consultations.
Referring to himself by his nickname "A-bian" (阿扁), Chen Shui-bian said that, as any conflict would cause irreparable damage to both sides, Taiwan and China should seriously consider practical steps toward "arms control."
"Therefore A-bian proposes that both sides should seriously consider the issue of arms control and take concrete actions to reduce tension and military threats across the Taiwan Strait," he said.
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