President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) on Monday repeated his promise not to declare independence or amend the Constitution provided China does not use military force against Taiwan.
"I have repeated on numerous occasions, notably in 2000 and 2004, that as long as China does not use force against Taiwan, I will stick to my `four noes and one without' pledge," he said.
"Regrettably, from 2000 up to the present, China has increased fourfold the number of ballistic missiles deployed along its southeastern coast and targeted at Taiwan," he said.
Chen made the remarks in an interview with Le Figaro, a French newspaper, on Monday.
The interview was featured in a full-page article, "Chen Shui-bian: China has never renounced the use of force against Taiwan," in yesterday's edition.
The "status quo" had been unilaterally undermined by China, Chen said, but the administration and the Taiwanese were determined to safeguard the nation's democracy, freedom and human rights, as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
"When I announced on Feb. 27 that the National Unification Council would cease to function, I made a seven-point statement which was aimed at ensuring that the `status quo' would be maintained," he said.
Referring to the increasing number of missiles that China has aimed at Taiwan, Chen said Bei-jing's military budget had experienced double-digit growth annually since the Tiananmen Square Massacre.
In a bid to counter Beijing's military buildup, Chen said it was important for the legislature to pass the long-stalled arms procurement package.
The president said there could be a breakthrough soon in this regard, because opposition parties were beginning to reach a consensus on the issue.
Chen told Le Figaro it was impossible for Taiwan to unite with China in the foreseeable future because it was inconceivable that Beijing would abandon authoritarian rule and allow China to become a democratic country.
"We do not rule out uniting with China in the future. But ultimate unification with China cannot be set as the only option for the [Taiwanese]," Chen said.
With the consent of the Tai-wanese public, Chen said, closer political relations would be possible if China became a democratic country, abandoned its one-party authoritarian regime, ceased its political and economic oppression of Taiwan, publicly relinquished the use of military force against the nation, dismantled its missiles aimed at the country, repealed its "Anti-Secession" Law, and respected the rights of the Taiwanese.
On the question of constitutional reform, Chen reiterated that any amendments would have to follow due procedure.
"[Constitutional reform] is a difficult undertaking, but if the social environment is ripe, the legislature reaches a consensus and the people support such a move, nothing is impossible," he said.
Kenting National Park service technician Yang Jien-fon (楊政峰) won a silver award in World Grand Prix Photography Awards Spring Season for his photograph of two male rat snakes intertwined in combat. Yang’s colleagues at Kenting National Park said he is a master of nature photography who has been held back by his job in civil service. The awards accept entries in all four seasons across six categories: architectural and urban photography, black-and-white and fine art photography, commercial and fashion photography, documentary and people photography, nature and experimental photography, and mobile photography. Awards are ranked according to scores and divided into platinum, gold and
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