Presidential candidate Chen Shui-bian (
This would mark a turning point from the exchange of hostile ideologies that has marked relations between the two sides for the past five decades, he said.
Chen and other party leaders have already revealed their China policy in part during the past month and these statements have been incorporated in the white paper.
Chen said that a policy for an "environment of safe economic development" was fundamental for improving the cross-strait relationship.
"It has to establish a normal relationship between Taiwan and China and that point is the core of our China policy," Chen said.
Chen said the DPP expected China would avoid the obstacles which have prevented democratic development and which would allow the country to become the "gentle giant" of Asia.
Pointing out the differences between his policy and that of the other presidential candidates, Chen reaffirmed that Taiwan's security was a prerequisite to achieving normal relations with China.
"Taiwan's security is based on `four pillars'," Chen said.
The first was a clear identification of Taiwan's position in the international community, namely that Taiwan is an independent country called the Republic of China.
He said any political party in Taiwan was capable of spelling out this fact to the international community and that China had absolutely no right to decide Taiwan's future.
The second pillar was to strive for a stable cross-strait relationship and that Taiwan should start a dialogue, even negotiations, with China in all areas.
"We also advocate setting up a Track Two Diplomacy Measure -- which would involve international scholars and concerned officials -- to increase the efficiency of dia-logue," Chen said.
Third, he said, was the maintenance of strong defenses to prevent China from using force against Taiwan.
Fourth, Chen said, was the establishment of firm economic development in order to carry out the DPP's platform policy of "strengthen the base, march west" (
Cross-strait economic development should consider both national security issues and economic interests, Chen added.
"Liberalizing sea transportation to and from major ports on both sides should be based on the principle of reciprocity.
"But in air transportation, China should let Taiwan decide on air routes, while the profits should be shared by both sides equally," Chen said.
The policy was criticized by some scholars and officials who said it was idealistic and possibly impractical to carry out.
"Chen's policy is wishful thinking because China's leaders would accept neither Chen's statement about Taiwan being an independent country, nor the air transport issue," said one official at the Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council.
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