The US president's comments in China last week were a clear statement of support for Taiwan and put relations between Taipei, Beijing and Washington on an even balance, the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) said yesterday.
In addition, the party said, Bush's remarks echoed former president Lee Teng-hui's (
"It's unprecedented when a US president describes relations between the US, Taiwan and China as an equal triangle," said TSU Chairman Huang Chu-wen (
"The TSU welcomes Bush's remarks and considers his statements as corresponding with Lee Teng-hui's proclamation that Taiwan and China have a `special state-to-state relationship.'"
Bush visited China last week as part of a three-nation tour of east Asia. While talking to Chinese reporters, the US president said America should abide by the Taiwan Relations Act and help Taiwan defend itself if provoked.
Bush also said he hoped China and Taiwan would reach a peaceful settlement to the long stand-off across the Strait.
Speaking to the Japanese parliament before visiting China, Bush pledged to remember "US commitments to the people on Taiwan."
Prior to leaving Washington on his trip, Bush described Taiwan as a "good friend" of the US during his weekly radio address.
Huang said although Bush didn't in his remarks specifically refer to Lee's "state-to-state" dictum, the US president didn't mention the three communiques signed between China and the US either and repeatedly stressed the importance of peacefully solving the cross-strait issue.
"Bush did not use the words `peaceful unification,' which indicates that Taiwan is an independent country in Bush's mind," Huang said.
The TSU chairman also said that "one China" is a term based on cultural bonds. "But in reality, Taiwan is Taiwan, China is China. There is only one China, and Taiwan is not part of China. Taiwan was never governed by the Chinese government," Huang said.
In addition, the TSU chairman told Taiwanese not to look down upon themselves, given that the US views Taiwan as a good friend.
Huang said he hoped his fellow countrymen would realize that Taiwan is highly regarded by the US, as evidenced by Bush's trip.
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