The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said on Monday its newly formed think tank had an “open-minded” attitude toward invitations for dialogue from Chinese institutes or organizations.
The think tank — affliated with the New Frontier Foundation — would not rule out sending representatives to China for such dialogue, said its chief executive, Wu Nai-jen (吳乃仁), at a meeting with diplomats and representatives of more than 20 countries stationed in Taiwan that was also attended by DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文).
The DPP said most of the diplomats were interested in whether the think tank would interact with China.
Wu said that in recent months, the DPP had hosted visits to Taiwan by a number of Chinese academics and think tank representatives, implying that the party has not rejected contacts with China.
Tsai told the meeting that the think tank was not an academic institution, but was established to help the party outline efficient and pragmatic policies. An even more important task was to “prepare for the DPP’s reclaiming of power in 2012,” she said.
The DPP hoped there would be many more people joining discussions — through the think tank — on its plan to draft a “10-year platform,” she said.
At the Feb. 23 launch of the think tank, Tsai said it was aimed at strengthening Taiwan’s diplomatic muscle by bolstering relations with Japan, the US and Europe, while fostering closer links with Beijing.
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