Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Vice Chairman Chiang Pin-kun (
"The so-called `10-point agreement' is actually [Beijing officials'] response to our requests to protect the legal rights of Taiwanese investors in China, since protecting Taiwanese businessmen and investors in China has always been the KMT's priority," Chiang said during a meeting with Premier Frank Hsieh (
Prior to yesterday's meeting, Chiang had never publicly admitted to reaching the agreement. He declined to say whether the agreement exists in written form, or if it is an oral agreement.
PHOTO: SEAN CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES
Chiang, accompanied by several KMT lawmakers, arrived at the Executive Yuan at 5pm to meet with Hsieh after coming under severe criticism for his controversial trip to China and the "10-point agreement."
Prosecutors have meanwhile opened an investigation into Chiang's actions in China to determine whether he violated any laws.
Chiang said yesterday that, as an economics expert, he believes that cooperation between different political parties and creating harmony between Beijing and Taipei will pave the way to solving domestic economic problems.
He said that he would be more than happy to be the key to such cooperation and that he would dedicate himself to the task.
"KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) asked me to take the trip either on March 12 or March 29, because March 12 is the birthday of Dr Sun Yat-sen (孫中山), the party's founder, and March 29 was the day when 72 martyrs died for Sun's unsuccessful revolution," Chiang said.
"I understood that my departure after the March 26 rally against the `Anti-Secession' Law would be controversial and would be condemned. But it was something I had to do, especially when there is a chance to speak out for my fellow Taiwanese people," he said.
Chiang said that every single statement he made in China was made for the benefit of the Taiwanese people.
He said he told Chinese officials more than once that it was very stupid of them to establish the Anti-Secession Law, which would only irritate Taiwanese people and destroy any harmony existing in the Strait.
"Our policies are to protect and defend the Republic of China against Taiwan independence, against a military strike on Taiwan by the Chinese military and to maintain business cooperation across the Strait. These policies never change," Chiang said.
Hsieh said that he understood Chiang's comments, and added that he had also planned to visit China four years ago while he was the mayor of Kaohsiung.
He said he eventually decided not to go because of the legal implications.
"I am a lawyer and I know the rules and respect them as well," Hsieh said.
"I do not have any authority over the prosecutors' investigation, and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the matter at this moment, but I hope that it will not stop you [Chiang] from dedicating yourself to the country," Hsieh said.
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