Amid heated debate over his proposed peace agreement with China, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday vowed to defend the nation’s sovereignty, dismissing criticism that the pact would lead to unification with China.
“[The proposed peace agreement] would create a system for cross-strait reconciliation and serve as a frontline defense for national security. Some say it’s a step toward unification across the Taiwan Strait. That is a misunderstanding,” Ma said at a meeting with a delegation from the nonprofit National Committee on American Foreign Policy at the Presidential Office.
Ma, who is seeking re-election in January, raised the possibility of peace talks with China on Monday, when he unveiled his “golden decade” prospects for cross-strait relations, confirming that his administration would consider signing a peace agreement with China within the next 10 years.
The idea drew an immediate response from the Democratic Progressive Party, which accused Ma of setting up a timetable for unification with China.
Ma yesterday said that his administration would only start peace talks with Beijing if they had strong domestic support and if such a pact met the needs of the country. The proposed pact would also have to be approved by the legislature.
“We would put Taiwan’s interests and the rights of the people as top priorities if we did sign such pact with the mainland [China],” he said.
As with any other cross-strait agreements, Ma said the peace pact must be signed based on mutual trust between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. The government would demand national dignity and reciprocal benefits before signing such an agreement.
Ma said that his “three noes” policy — no unification, no independence and no use of force — would remain the pillars for Taiwan to maintain the “status quo” across the Taiwan Strait and that the government would stick to the so-called “1992 consensus” in promoting cross-strait relations.
Brushing aside concerns about his administration’s pro-China stance, Ma said improvements in cross-strait relations had led to more international cooperation with other nations.
“This is a virtuous cycle, and the government will keep a balance between promoting cross-strait relations and international relations,” he said.
Citing the cross-strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed in June last year as an example, Ma said that led to the start of free-trade talks with Singapore and the signing of an investment agreement with Japan this year.
Relations with the US have also grown closer, he added.
The US government’s announcement last month of its intention to sell a US$5.85 billion arms package to Taiwan also showed that Washington had stuck to its commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act and its six assurances to Taiwan, Ma told the delegation.
The president also reiterated Taiwan’s desire to acquire more advanced F-16C/D aircraft and electric submarines from the US.
Additional reporting by CNA
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