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US interpretation of `one China' policy is flexible, Wu says

The nation's representative to the US, Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), said on Friday that the US observes a flexible "one China" policy that is not based on the premise that Taiwan is part of China.

Wu made the remarks in an analysis of Taiwan-US relations from the perspective of Taiwan's strategic security stance, economic strength and democratic politics and complex relations in the face of a rising China at Stanford University's Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law.

Wu said that those who lack an understanding of Washington's "one China" policy might think it is identical to Beijing's "one China" principle. They could not be more wrong, he said.

The US has adopted a flexible approach in handling its relations with China and Taiwan, one that is not based on the premise that Taiwan is part of China, as advocated by China, Wu said.

Wu said the US observes a "one China" policy with its own interpretation -- a likely reference to Washington's "acknowledgement" of Beijing's belief that there is one only China and that Taiwan is part of China.

This does not necessarily accept or embrace Beijing's advocacy, Wu said, as the US has always encouraged the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue.

He dismissed a "peace agreement" overture offered by Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) at the opening of the Communist Party of China National Congress on Oct. 15.

Wu also said that Hu used the word "democracy" 61 times during his speech and proposed conducting negotiations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait under the framework of Beijing's "one China" principle.

Wu said the "one China" principle is a pitfall set for Taiwan by China and that Beijing is simply using the rhetoric to suppress Taiwan internationally.
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