Print

Mail

wiki links

Chou: KMT can't speak for Taiwan

Reacting to Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Vice Chairman and lawmaker Chiang Pin-kun's (江丙坤) "10-point agreement" with the Beijing government, Cabinet Spokesman Chou Jung-tai (卓榮泰) yesterday said that any agreements with foreign governments signed by unauthorized non-governmental groups from Taiwan are illegitimate.

"We still wish him a prosperous visit to China," Chou said. "However, we do not want him to become the center of criticism at the legislature when he comes back."

Chiang yesterday held a meeting in Beijing with Chen Yunlin (陳雲林), director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of China's State Council. It was the first such official meeting between the two former civil war enemies since 1949, when the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) defeated the KMT and drove them out of China.

The meeting reportedly focused on economic cooperation and cross-strait exchanges.

After the meeting, Chiang and Chen announced a "10-point agreement."

Regarding the agreement, Chou said that Chiang and his delegation only represent the KMT, not Taiwan. As a result, no matter what agreement or contract they sign, it will not be recognized here.

"This matter sparked discussion at the legislature yesterday," Chou said. "We hoped that Chiang's trip to China becomes everybody's complaint at the Legislative Yuan."

In the meantime, Chou also said that if the Chinese government agrees to treat Taiwan equally, fairly and respect it as a country, Taipei will be ready to carry out peace talks at any time or place, and under any circumstances.

The Presidential Office yesterday made no official comment regarding the 10-point KMT-CCP consensus.

A high-ranking official from the Presidential Office, however, slammed the KMT's 10-point agreement with the CCP as "inappropriate" in view of Beijing's recent unfriendly enactment of the "Anti-Secession" Law.

The official, who wished to remain anonymous, said yesterday that the KMT's conduct was "inappropriate in terms of its capacity, timing and atmosphere."

The official expressed confidence that the people of Taiwan will form their own judgment with regard to the KMT's negotiations with the CCP.

Noting that China often engages in two-faced maneuvers when dealing with Taiwan, the official added that the Presidential Office will continue to monitor the situation and subsequent developments.

President Chen Shu-bian (陳水扁) on Tuesday said that the KMT-CCP cooperation was "seemingly deranged with regard to space and time," since the two parties had not tried to formally cooperate for 50 years, and Taiwan has since become a thriving democracy.
This story has been viewed 2915 times.