Cabinet Spokesman Cho Jung-tai (
"Major issues that concern Taiwan concern the world as well," Cho said. "It would be a good thing if more and more foreign friends paid attention to what happens to Taiwan."
Cho made the remarks when asked to comment on the conversation between Chinese President Hu Jintao (
At the meeting, Hu invited Bush to "join the Chinese side in safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposing so-called Taiwan independence."
Cho said the Chinese government urged the US government to stand and join its side because the Chinese government would prefer to be a friend of the US instead of its enemy.
"Obviously, this invitation or request was the result of a self-righteous mindset," he said.
The spokesman said that Bush's response to Hu showed that Bush understands that Chen was elected by the Taiwanese people and that he or his representatives are the only ones who can speak for Taiwan. Therefore, he said, the only way to ensure cross-strait peace is to urge Hu to talk directly to Chen.
"Although Hu invited Bush to stand with the Chinese government, we sincerely hope that the US will stand for justice, peace, democracy and freedom," Cho said. "I think [Bush's] response to Hu said it all."
Meanwhile, the spokesman also said that the Chinese government's oppression of Taiwan in every aspect has never let up, but that neither have Taiwan's efforts to reach out to the world.
"I believe that President Bush is smart enough to make the right choice," he added.
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