President Chen Shui-bian (
Ma made the comments while answering questions from reporters during a visit to eastern Ilan County regarding Chen's remarks a day earlier that "Lien's China visit will enable the Chinese Communist Party [CCP] to bring Taiwan into its fold."
Saying that an "opposition party has no power to sell Taiwan out," Ma said that Chen should wish Lien success during his China visit and help him complete the task that could bring peace to Taiwan.
Ma added that he will also consider visiting China, if such a visit is determined to be beneficial to Taiwan, should he win the election for the KMT chairmanship in July.
Meanwhile, a KMT lawmaker said that Lien's upcoming visit to China has gained strong support among the public.
Legislator Chen Chieh (
Stressing that Lien's China visit is aimed at seeking the maximum benefits for the people of Taiwan, Chen Chieh claimed that he has strong confidence that the popular backing for Lien's visit will be reflected in the National Assembly election set for May 14.
He called on the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its political ally, the Taiwan Solidarity Union, to be cognizant of the KMT's efforts to build peace for Taiwan and urged the DPP to bravely face up to the development for the sake of Taiwan's stability and prosperity.
The government should give its blessing to the KMT for its peace-forging efforts because the Taiwan people hope that the opposition camp can help the government achieve something that is beyond its own reach, Chen said.
Lien is scheduled to visit China in late April or early May, during which he will make stops in Xian, Shanghai, Nanjing and Beijing.
The KMT chairman is slated to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao (
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