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Hsieh proposes Japanese version of `relations act'

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) said that if he were elected next year, he would encourage Japan to adopt a "Taiwan relations act" similar to that of the US.

Hsieh made the comments during an interview with a Singaporean newspaper published yesterday.

"Japan's guiding principle in diplomatic policy mostly follows that of the US, but Japan and Taiwan have special historical relations. We will [therefore] seek to strengthen our cooperation with Japan in terms of district security," the Chinese-language Lianhe Zaobao quoted Hsieh as saying.

Hsieh said that the cooperation would not be military but one that nevertheless ensures "security."

"Given the diplomatic ties between Japan and China, there may be some obstacles to strengthening relations between Japan and Taiwan," the paper quoted him as saying.

"We shall play an active role in achieving a breakthrough in the creation of a `Japanese Taiwan relations act,'" he said.

Hsieh said he would give priority to "restoring trust relations between Taiwan and the US" if elected, without elaborating.

As for cross-strait policy, Hsieh said that he did not support amending the DPP's "Resolutions on Taiwan's Future" because the resolutions "draw the right conclusions on and perfectly illustrate Taiwan's political status quo."

The resolutions, issued in 1999 and regarded as the DPP's platform, state that "Taiwan, although still called the Republic of China according to the current Constitution, does not belong to China."

"Any change to the status quo and independence must be decided by the Taiwanese people through a referendum," the resolutions say.

During DPP's presidential primary in April, Chairman Yu Shyi-kun had said he would like to replace the resolutions with one that focuses on normalization of the country.

Hsieh was quoted as saying that he would push for normalization, adding that political power cannot be "legitimate" and "normal" unless "the Taiwanese people identify with it."

Asked whether he would adjust his previous statement to the effect that there is a "one China" framework in the Constitution, Hsieh said he had made it clear that the framework "best describes the status quo."

He said, however, that should China be willing to recognize the Republic of China, he could consider adjusting his stance.

"We need capable and wise leaders to maintain cross-strait exchanges, the economic development of both sides, the stability of Taiwan and the dignity of the nation," he said.

"Both sides need to make some compromises," he said.

Asked about the state of his relations with President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), Hsieh said he and Chen saw eye-to-eye in terms of their pursuit of the "continuation of rule by a local regime" in Taiwan.
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