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Siew defends proposed trip to China

Vice President-elect Vincent Siew (蕭萬長), who is scheduled to attend the Boao Forum in China on Friday, assured the public yesterday that the nation would not be belittled during the meeting.

“I understand the concerns about my intended participation [in the forum], but any concerns should be expressed in a positive way,” Siew told a press conference.

“The Boao Forum is an occasion where everyone enjoys equal standing,” he said, emphasizing that the Taiwanese delegation would not be demeaned during the three-day forum.

Siew said he would lead the delegation to the forum in his capacity as chairman of the Cross-Strait Common Market Foundation, adding that it will take part in events surrounding the forum.

The Cross-Strait Common Market Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Siew, has been a participant at the annual forum — a gathering of businesspeople and officials focusing on greater trade cooperation in Asia since 2003. The forum is held in Hainan Province.

Siew’s decision to attend this year raised concerns that China would seize the chance to belittle Siew as he will soon become vice president.

The decision also prompted media speculation about whether Siew will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤), who will give the opening address at the meeting on Friday.

Siew said based on his experience over the past few years, most people would address him by his first name instead of by his title.

“The forum will be held in English. Everyone cares about what one says rather than one’s title. What you [the media] care about [Siew’s title] is not something participants of the forum pay attention to,” he said, urging the public to focus on how Taiwan will benefit from participation in the occasion.

“I’ve participated in international affairs for many years. My basic principles are that we will not give up any opportunity to improve cross-strait development nor will we give up any chance to bring the 23 million people of Taiwan happiness,” he said.

When asked if Siew will use the nation’s official title “Republic of China” (ROC) during the meeting, Siew said he will “provide explanations based on the real situation” and that he will “express the nation and the people in all kinds of ways.”

He said he will host a roundtable discussion on the new business opportunities across the Taiwan Strait on Sunday, but the delegation had yet to finalize the attendees.

The Taiwanese delegation will express “goodwill” and “sincerity” to China during the forum, he said.

“Over the past few years, we have had the chance to meet the highest-level Chinese officials who attended the forum, and we expect to enjoy the same opportunities this year,” he said.

“I did not have difficulty meeting people I wanted to meet when I took part in the forum as a civilian in the past,” he said.

He added that he is also trying to arrange meetings with people through “unofficial diplomatic channels.”

President-elect Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) did not comment on the matter yesterday.

But Ma office spokesman Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強) said Siew and Ma had communicated about Siew’s participation in the event.

“Ma understands and respects Siew’s decision. They had healthy communication [regarding the matter],” Lo said when asked for comment.

Meanwhile, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus whip Lin Yi-shih (林益世) urged the public to trust Siew’s ability to fight for the nation’s dignity and rights.

“Siew, as the vice president-elect who enjoys the support of the majority of the population, is trying to map out a way to break the [cross-strait] deadlock,” Lin said.

KMT caucus acting Secretary-General Hsieh Kuo-liang (謝國樑) said Siew’s participation would establish a good “atmosphere” for future cross-strait negotiation.

KMT Legislator Huang Chao-shun (黃昭順) said she fully supports Siew’s decision.

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” Huang said, adding that Siew’s trip may contribute to the establishment of a cross-strait common market in the future.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus yesterday said China was likely to treat Taiwan as a local government at the forum.

DPP Legislator Tsai Huang-liang (蔡煌瑯) told a press conference in the legislature that he believed China would not give up such a “good opportunity” to belittle Taiwan.

Tsai asked Siew to ask Hu about his stand on “one China, with each side having its own interpretation” if they met, or publicly express “one China, with each side having its own interpretation” during the forum.

Also yesterday, the Mainland Affairs Council said that Siew’s upcoming China visit was perfectly legal because the law does not prohibit officials who have yet to assume office from going to China.

“The law does not bar any official-elects, including president and vice-president elects from visiting China. Moreover, Siew is going as a private citizen and not as a government leader,” said MAC Deputy Chairman Liu Teh-hsun (劉德勳).

Additional reporting by Rich Chang and Jenny W. Hsu
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