Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) told lawmakers yesterday that Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan's (連戰) calling President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) on Monday may not necessarily legalize his meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) and any potential agreements he might ink with Hu in Beijing.
"He said he will call the president and talk about this matter. Well, by law, calling the president and gaining authorization from the government are two totally different scenarios," Hsieh said.
"His promise to call the president before taking off for China is a polite and friendly move. We welcome and appreciate that. However, it has nothing to do with obeying the law," the premier said.
Hsieh comments were in response to Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chen Chao-lung's (陳朝龍) question about whether Lien's promise to call the president would be regarded as having gained authorization from the government.
According to the Act Governing Relations Between Peoples of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (兩岸人民關係條例), anyone who wishes to represent Taiwan in agreements or other arrangements with the Chinese government must first obtain authorization from the Mainland Affairs Council.
"Talking to the president is not equal to gaining authorization from the council," Hsieh said.
He reiterated that any citizen's plan -- including Lien and People First Party Chairman James Soong's (宋楚瑜) -- to travel anywhere in the world would be accepted and approved by the government except for members of the police, the military and others who are banned for traveling to China.
"To be precise, the government will not interfere with anyone's travel plans as long as it does not concern the nation," Hsieh said.
"We, therefore, will definitely not interfere Lien's or Soong's plans or ban them from traveling. That would be totally illegal," he said.
Hsieh said that Lien's promise to call the president is simple politeness to the government and the country, since Lien is the chairman of an important political party.
"His promise shows that he recognizes and respects the president, the government and the country. We are glad and appreciate it," Hsieh said.
During his conversation with lawmakers, Hsieh urged the public to consider why the Chinese government would welcome Taiwan's politicians to visit China at this point in time.
"After our March 26 rally against their `Anti-Secession' Law, there has been a great pressure on the Chinese government, forcing it to show a sincere and friendly attitude toward the Taiwanese people," the premier said. "We must be careful of that."
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