Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Eric Chu (朱立倫) yesterday pledged to push for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) if he is elected president in January’s election.
Chu made the remarks during an interview with the News98 radio station, during which he said a Chu-Xi meeting would come naturally if he wins the presidential race, given the KMT’s expected continuation of its peaceful cross-strait policy.
“The significance of a Chu-Xi meeting not only lies in that it would be a follow-up of the Ma-Xi meeting [between Xi and President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) in Singapore on Nov. 7], but also in the possibility that it could bring further developments in terms of peace and the creation of a win-win situation across the Taiwan Strait,” Chu said.
Asked about the potential location for a Chu-Xi meeting, Chu said Indonesia has offered to host the next meeting of cross-strait leaders, but added that he is open to other options.
Chu said that if cross-strait ties became more amicable and peaceful, he would not rule out inviting Xi to Taiwan, or visiting China.
“The normalization of meetings between cross-strait leaders is an inevitable step. It is conducive to promoting cross-strait peace, mutual benefits and cooperation,” Chu said.
Dismissing allegations that the US is discontent with the Ma administration giving inappropriate notice about the Ma-Xi meeting, Chu said that Washington values regional peace greatly.
“The US has been under tremendous pressure due to a recent spate of terror attacks in the Middle East and Europe. Stability across the Taiwan Strait fits the US’ national interests,” Chu said.
Chu returned to Taiwan on Monday after a week-long visit to the US as part of his presidential campaign.
With regard to his running mate, Chu said that he started sounding out potential candidates before his US trip, adding that he would announce the party’s vice presidential candidate in the next few days.
Names that have emerged as likely candidates to be Chu’s running mate include: KMT Vice Chairperson Huang Min-hui (黃敏惠), news anchor Jennifer Shen (沈春華), media personality Sisy Chen (陳文茜) and former Council of Labor Affairs Minister Jennifer Wang (王如玄).
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