Sat, Feb 23, 2002 page1

• Foreign minister hails Bush's support

  • By Monique Chu and Lin Miao-Jung / STAFF REPORTERS
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  Taiwan yesterday lauded US president George W. Bush's clear statement of support for the country, especially his explicit support for the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), expressed during his trip to Beijing which concluded yesterday afternoon.

  "This is the first time over the past 20 years or so that an American president has publicly mentioned while visiting mainland China that the US should abide by the TRA. And he mentioned it twice," said Eugene Chien (簡又新), minister of foreign affairs, after Bush's speech at Tsinghua University in Beijing yesterday.

  "It was very clear that President Bush is a firm supporter of peacefully resolving the Taiwan issue, opening a dialogue across the Taiwan Strait, creating peace in the Asia-Pacific region, and ensuring stability across the Strait," Chien told reporters.

  Bush's speech, followed by a question-and-answer session, was telecast live by Taiwan's cable news stations.

  Asked why he preferred a peaceful settlement to "peaceful unification" of China and Taiwan, Bush said, "When my country makes an agreement we stick with it and there is [something] called the Taiwan Relations Act and I honor that act, which says we will help Taiwan defend herself if provoked."

  Bush had said at a joint news conference Thursday that he hoped China and Taiwan would reach a "peaceful settlement" of the Taiwan issue.

  And despite fervent applause for endorsing China's "one China" policy, he avoided mentioning the "three nos" and the three Sino-US communiques when a student pushed him to endorse them.

  The "three nos," stated by former US president Bill Clinton during his visit to China in 1998, are: no support for an independent Taiwan; no recognition of "two Chinas" or one China and a separate Taiwan; and no support for Taiwan's admission to international organizations that require members to be states.

  Mainland Affairs Council Vice Chairman John Deng (鄧振中) said after Clinton's speech that US policy on cross-strait affairs is consistent with that of the Republic of China and the expectations of the international community. He said that in pursuit of a peaceful settlement, "We are prepared to resume official negotiations and interaction with the Chinese government at any time."

  Taiwan hopes, he said, "that the triangular relationship between the US, China and Taiwan will develop in a normal and balanced manner," and that as China improves its relations with the US, "the Chinese government will also react to Taiwan's suggestions with a positive attitude."

  Deng was referring to measures taken or to be taken by Taiwan to help advance cross-strait relations such as the establishment of the small three links, opening Taiwan to Chinese tourists, and moves to establish a mechanism for economic cooperation.

  He said that in focusing on freedom, democracy and human rights at Tsinghua University, Bush had highlighted "universal values." "Especially democracy," he said. "Taiwan is greatly valued by the international community for its democracy, and any radical improvement in cross-strait relations depends on whether China moves toward democracy."

  Deng added that the existence of a democratic Taiwan provided a model for China's democratization.

  Chien said the US and Taiwan would continue to grow closer because they share the same values, namely, democracy, human rights, mutual economic prosperity, peace and security.

  "Future relations between Taiwan and the US will be even better,'' Chien said.

  Also see story:
  

  Analysts laud Bush's stand on Taiwan
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