A top US National Security Council official said on Saturday that Washington would like to see Taipei develop better ties with Beijing and it has no concerns about any potential negative effects of recent developments in cross-strait relations.
National Security Council Senior Director for Asian Affairs Dennis Wilder made the remarks in response to a reporter’s question on Washington’s understanding of recent developments in cross-strait relations and their implications and whether the US had any concerns, the Central News Agency (CNA) reported.
Wilder was approached by reporters at a dragon boat competition organized by outgoing Representative to the US Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) in Washington, CNA said. Wu tendered his resignation following the inauguration of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) administration.
Washington has no concerns about the expeditious developments in the Taiwan Strait, Wilder said, because the Taiwanese and the Americans have a special tie and the Taiwanese value Taiwan-US relations.
Since President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) took office, Wilder said, cross-strait ties are moving in the right direction.
Ma made clear his vision for the future of Taiwan’s relations with the US and China in his inaugural speech, Wilder said.
In the address, Ma made several pledges, vowing to pursue “reconciliation and a truce” with China both concerning cross-strait relations and Taiwan’s interaction in the international community.
Ma promised to maintain the “status quo” and not to amend the Constitution. He also promised to “rationalize the defense budget” and purchase US weaponry.
Washington and the Pentagon have been frustrated by the KMT’s obstruction in the legislature of funding for an arms package approved by US President George W. Bush in April 2001.
Former White House chief of staff Andrew Card, who attended Ma’s inauguration at the request of Bush, reported positively on Taiwan’s development and the state of Taiwan-US relations, Wilder said.
Card was impressed by Taiwan’s vitality, industrial spirit, strong private sector, prosperity and vibrant democracy, he said.
With its second peaceful transfer of power, Taiwan has made the shift from a young democracy to a mature democracy, he said.
The people of Taiwan should be proud of themselves and Washington is proud of the Taiwanese, he said.
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