Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) said yesterday he supported the three direct links between Taiwan and China, contingent on promises of reciprocity.
"Opening up the direct transportation links is not a problem and for all intents and purposes I am in favor," he said. "However, we [Taiwan and China] must conduct negotiations under the principles of equality and dignity."
Hsieh made the remarks while responding to questions from the media during a visit to an art exhibition in Kaohsiung.
Beijing has refused to hold official talks with the DPP government since the latter come to power in 2000, saying it would only commence dialogue once Taipei had embraced Beijing's "one China" principle, which states that Taiwan is part of its territory, a statement that the Taiwanese government rejects categorically.
Acknowledging that a consensus on opening direct cross-strait transportation was needed among all the parties, Hsieh said that achieving this would be one of his immediate objectives if he were elected president next year.
The Chinese Nationalist Party's (KMT) Ma Ying-jeou (
"Our plan is to begin with direct charter flights if we win next year's presidential election," Ma said in an interview with Singapore's Channel News Asia on Thursday.
"And then we will open up direct flights between China and Taiwan within a year, which will be convenient for Chinese tourists visiting Taiwan," he said.
Saying that "we certainly look forward to more efficient cross-strait exchanges" that can benefit Taiwanese, Ma used the interview to criticize President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), saying that although opening up direct cross-strait links had been part of Chen's campaign platform, the DPP had "turned anyone with more progressive viewpoints [on the links] into `bandits.'"
Asked for comments, Hsieh said that "if we were to abandon the prerequisite for reciprocal negotiations with China or forsake national dignity and the safety of the people, then of course we would need less than a year to make the direct links happen."
Hsieh said that negotiations with China were absolutely necessary before direct cross-strait links could become a reality, so as to ensure that the appropriate policies are established.
Problems that could potentially put Taiwanese -- such as farmers and workers -- at a disadvantage as a result of the three direct links should also not be ignored, he said.
At present, cargo and passenger services between China and Taiwan operate through third parties, mainly Hong Kong.
Additional reporting by AFP
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