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Joseph Wu says relations with the US improving

The nation's representative to the US Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) expressed optimism in a recent interview that differences between Taiwan and the US would eventually be resolved.

Wu made the remarks during an interview with a Washington-based journalist of al-Jazeera English, a 24-hour English-language news TV channel headquartered in Doha, Qatar.

The interview aired on Friday.

Despite the absence of diplomatic ties between Taiwan and the US, Wu said that he has open communication channels with US government officials and lawmakers.

Although he is not allowed to enter the US Department of State, the White House or other federal institutions, he can still meet US officials in other places, Wu said.

During the six months since he took up the post, Wu admitted that Taiwan and the US had "occasionally differed on certain political issues."

Describing both countries as "free and democratic," Wu said he believed that sincere communication would eventually smooth the differences between the two sides.

Wu also expressed his appreciation to US President George W. Bush for talking of Taiwan's democratic achievements in his speeches in Sydney, Kyoto and Prague, adding that the government realizes the great contribution the US has made to the nation's democracy and prosperity.

Wu also said he hoped Taiwan-US relations could expand in the future.

He called on the US to sign a free-trade agreement (FTA) with the nation as soon as possible, saying that Taiwan is the US' ninth-largest trading partner and the fifth-largest importer of US agricultural products.

A Taiwan-US FTA would increase bilateral trade and help US companies expand their markets in Taiwan, Wu said.

Noting that some of his professional challenges come from China's oppression, Wu said Beijing has often interfered with Taiwan's invitations to US lawmakers, governors and other officials to visit the country.

While China claims Taiwan as part of China on the one hand, it treats Taiwan as an enemy on the other, Wu said.

Wu also urged the US to lift a ban on high-ranking Taiwanese officials visiting Washington.
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