An official of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) urged the new leadership of China yesterday to adopt a more pragmatic approach in dealing with cross-strait relations.
Vice Chairman Chen Ming-tong (
"We hope that China's new generation of leaders ... continue its policy of liberalization while seeking further development in stability ? we also wish that cross-strait talks could be held as soon as possible without setting any precondition, especially dwarfing Taiwan's status," Chen said.
He said that when China moves toward democracy, freedom and openness, it will benefit peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as cross-strait relations.
In his address to the opening of the party congress last Friday, President Jiang Zemin (
Chen said the main obstacle regarding cross-strait relations lies in China's ignoring the fact that Taiwan is a sovereign state, and he expressed hope that the new leadership will "understand and respect" the democratic mechanism in Taiwan and adopt a more pragmatic approach in dealing with cross-strait relations.
He stressed that Taiwan hopes China will not denigrate Taiwan's stance as a prerequisite to re-opening the stalled cross-strait dialogue and that both sides of the Taiwan Strait can resume talks on related matters as soon as possible, so that both sides can move toward "harmony, stability, and reciprocity."
"We hope they will face the reality of Taiwan's existence and re-open talks with Taiwan to improve bilateral relations," said Chen.
Meanwhile, a KMT official said yesterday that although Jiang has stepped down from his post as the party's general secretary, he has packed the new nine-member standing committee of the Politburo with his allies and can still pull the strings behind the scenes, so that there is therefore no breakthrough in the new leadership.
Chang Jung-kung (
Meanwhile, the Director of the DPP's Department of the Mainland Affairs, Chen Chung-hsin (陳忠信) also expressed his congratulations to the new Chinese leadership for their smooth transition of power yesterday.
"We are glad to see China's leadership transition going smoothly," he said.
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