Despite reaching an agreement on certain aspects of cross-strait relations yesterday, fundamental disagreements regarding China's anti-secession law were still apparent between President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) after their meeting.
Outlining their views on cross-strait relations after the event, both Chen and talked about China's impending consideration of its controversial anti-secession law.
"If the anti-secession law is meant to be directed at Taiwan, then it hurts the feelings of the Taiwanese people and increases the distance between people on both sides of the strait," Chen said yesterday during a question and answer session after his talk with Soong.
OLIVE TREE
"I have extended over thirty `olive branches' toward China since 2000. However, if the anti-secession law passes, then it will be like a dark cloud in the sky that might `wet' those olive branches," Chen said.
"I hope that this meeting and our [Chen and Soong's] 10-point consensus will be able to serve as a reference for China," Chen added.
In contrast, Soong yesterday hinted that the Chen administration's actions in recent years had provided the impetus for the anti-secession law.
"We all understand that the problems in cross-strait relations are more serious than we can imagine. It is important that at this critical time we do not let down our guard and do not speak any provocative words or take provocative actions. Such moves can only be unhelpful in our current situation," Soong said yesterday.
SECESSION LAWS
Soong said yesterday that many countries have laws against secession, asserting that the US had even waged a civil war to prevent the southern states from seceding. Taiwan, in its National Security Law (國家安全法), also has a provision against secession, Soong added.
However, hinted Soong, it was the recent actions of the Chen administration in such areas such as pushing for the changing of Taiwan's official name that caused China to create an anti-secession law.
"[The reason] China is making such an important decision at this time is because of conflicts caused by certain groups in Taiwan in recent years. The result is that Taiwan forced China to create this law," Soong said.
Taiwan is to receive the first batch of Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 jets from the US late this month, a defense official said yesterday, after a year-long delay due to a logjam in US arms deliveries. Completing the NT$247.2 billion (US$7.69 billion) arms deal for 66 jets would make Taiwan the third nation in the world to receive factory-fresh advanced fighter jets of the same make and model, following Bahrain and Slovakia, the official said on condition of anonymity. F-16 Block 70/72 are newly manufactured F-16 jets built by Lockheed Martin to the standards of the F-16V upgrade package. Republic of China
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