The nation's leading cross-strait negotiator yesterday extended an invitation to his counterpart in China, inviting him to push aside whatever disputes both sides may have over "one China" and visit Taiwan as soon as possible.
"A meeting between the two individuals responsible for cross-strait negotiations would be an opportunity to move forward the normalization of cross-strait affairs," said Koo Chen-fu (
"Spring has come and passed and another fall is approaching. The SEF's welcome invitation to Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait Chairman Wang Daohan (
PHOTO: CHEN CHENG-CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES
Wang was originally expected to visit Taiwan last fall, but China cancelled the trip after then President Lee Teng-hui (
Echoing comments made by President Chen Shui-bian (
Koo said that it was the spirit and understanding of the 1992 consensus that allowed both sides to hold landmark talks in Singapore in 1993.
"Exchange, dialogue and put-ting aside differences of opinions is the spirit of the 1992 consensus," Koo said.
When asked if Koo hoped Wang could visit within six months' time, Koo said, "six months is what you said, I would hope that it would be sooner."
Koo made his comments yesterday at the first board meeting of the foundation since the new administration came into office. In addition to addressing the stalemate in cross-strait negotiations, the SEF also replaced 13 members on its board.
Reports and comments by government officials yesterday, however, revealed that deep divisions still exist between the two governments on opposing sides of the strait.
Mainland Affairs Council chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (
In a meeting with legislators' aides yesterday, Tsai also emphasized the need for exchange, dialogue and putting aside the two sides' differences.
Tsai was, however, more explicit in her comments than Koo, saying, "disputes refer to the dispute over `one China.'"
"Of course there are many elements to cross-strait relations, the crux [of the problem] is not `one China'," she said.
Tsai also expressed exasperation at China's unbending insistence on making acceptance of "one China" a precondition for talks.
A commentary yesterday in Hong Kong's Chinese-language daily Ming Pao illustrated the contrast between opinions between Taiwan and China.
In addition to saying that "reunification and one country, two systems" would continue to be China's future aspiration for Taiwan at the annual national policy meeting of leaders in Beidaihe (
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