MAC stays mum on PFP chief's remarks in China

The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) refrained yesterday from commenting on People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong's (宋楚瑜) remarks in China, or saying whether he had exceeded the boundaries of the 10-point consensus he hammered out with President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) back in February.

But high-ranking officials said last night that the government would watch whether Soong faithfully relays the contents of the 10 point agreement to Beijing authorities during his stay.

Speaking the council's weekly press briefing yesterday, Council Vice Chairman You Ying-lung (游盈隆) said that Soong had voiced his personal views but that the government would not comment on his remarks unless there was a violation of state authority or legislation.

An high-ranking official, however, indicated that the government did not put too much emphasis on Soong's public remarks, focusing instead on what the PFP leader might say during a closed-door meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) next week.

The official reiterated that Soong was not the Chen's messenger or envoy, saying that while the PFP's stance was very different from the DPP's, consensus in certain areas was possible.

He said that Soong's public remarks so far were representative only of the PFP's stance. Soong, since arriving in China, has made clear his opposition to Taiwan's independence and reiterated the so-called "1992 consensus."

The government has long denied that any such consensus on the "one China" principle was reached between Taiwan and China during talks in 1992.

The official said the government was making adjustments along the way in dealing with what he said was an unprecedented situation for cross-strait ties.

"We really don't have any similar experiences upon which we can draw," he said.

"We don't want to forgo any opportunity to bring about official dialogue and at the same time talks on functional matters, such as tourism," he said. "This needs to be discussed to be implemented."

The official also remarked that the government would have to get hold of the details of the Soong-Hu meeting, along with any comments Beijing makes at the conclusion of Soong's trip, before assessing whether there has been a softening in Beijing's Taiwan policy.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) criticized Soong yesterday for deviating from the consensus with Chen by trying too hard to ingratiate himself with Beijing.

DPP Lee Yi-yang (李逸洋) was responding to remarks that Soong made upon his arrival in Xian on Thursday, on the first leg of the PFP chief's five-city visit to China.

Lee that the DPP was "surprised" by Soong's remarks about opposing Taiwan independence, two Chinas, "one China, one Taiwan" and the "special state-to-state" theory of cross-strait relations, adding that if all these options for Taiwan's future are ruled out, then all that remains is the "one China" framework set by Beijing.

"Soong has completely denied the existence of the sovereignty of the Republic of China [ROC]," Lee said.

"Has the Republic of China disappeared and become a province of the People's Republic of China? Has it become a local government or a special administrative region?" Lee said.

He demanded that Soong clearly define the status of the ROC and its sovereignty.

Although Soong's visit is considered to have Chen's endorsement because of a 10-point agreement the two men reached in a Feb. 24 meeting, Lee said that Soong's remarks in Xian went beyond the agreement.

He said Soong's comments have led to Taiwan "losing all its bargaining chips" with China.

Lee both Soong and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Lien Chan (連戰) for "selling out Taiwan, Taiwan's sovereign status and the national interests cheaply."

In related news yesterday, DPP legislative caucus whip William Lai (賴清德) said that Soong's visit to China is in his capacity as a party chairman and that there is no question of the DPP endorsing his trip.