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Hsieh seeks `win-win' relationship with PRC

If elected president, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) yesterday said his first message to China would be his preference for peaceful coexistence and a "win-win solution" in terms of cross-strait relations.

In his opening remarks at a reception for foreign reporters in Taipei yesterday, Hsieh said that he believes that cross-strait relations will not be changed by policies but by changing the "attitude" that Taiwan and China have about each other.

"And my attitude is clear ... I do believe [Taiwan's] peaceful coexistence with China will contribute to peace in Asia Pacific region," Hsieh said in English. "It is conductive to cross-strait development."

Dialogue

"If I can be elected to be president, I will do whatever it takes to push forward cross-strait dialogue and negotiation," he said. "I will do my best to create mutual interests and mutual trust."

When asked how he would put a dialogue with China into place, Hsieh said he would seek to establish a "consensus" with China in terms of "procedure" and "time." He did not elaborate.

When asked for his opinion on Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) comments earlier yesterday that Ma would restore dialogue with China based on the "1992 consensus," Hsieh said he did not think it was important if such a consensus existed.

"The point is whether both sides believe it is important to conduct negotiations. If we do, we can negotiate with each other even without the `consensus,'" he said.

Hsieh said he is willing to assume China is a "rational" and "predictable" country and believes China would be receptive to him as the Taiwanese president.

When asked if he was competing with Ma to see who had more accommodating cross-strait policies, Hsieh disagreed, saying that this was a competition for "who can better safeguard Taiwan's interests."

He said he hoped China understands that Taiwan will not stand in China's path in its drive to become an international superpower.

When asked for his view on allowing Chinese investors to invest or buy property in Taiwan, Hsieh said he held a liberal opinion on the issue, adding that the government would work out restrictions when necessary.

When asked about his vision for US-Taiwan and Taiwan-Japan relations, Hsieh said his goal would be to build up "common strategic interests" with the US and Japan, adding that he hoped to sign an agreement with Japan similar to the Taiwan Relations Act Taiwan has with the US.
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