Candidates for Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairperson yesterday focused on cross-strait issues during a televised policy debate ahead of the election on Oct. 18.
Six candidates are to run in the election to replace outgoing KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫).
Former Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌), Sun Yat-sen School president Chang Ya-chung (張亞中), KMT Legislator Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強), former KMT lawmaker Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文), former Changhua County commissioner Cho Po-yuan (卓伯源) and former National Assembly representative Tsai Chih-hong (蔡志弘) last night took part in their first debate, cohosted by United Daily News and TVBS News.
Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times
Cheng said that China and Taiwan have to reconcile, cooperate and stop hurting each other to create a foundation for peace for the next 100 years.
She would unite Taiwanese in saying no to independence, the "two states" theory (兩國論) and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which is attempting to ignite war and betray Taiwan, she said.
Chang said that unification is not about annexation, but creating a better future together.
The DPP’s pro-independence stance would certainly lead to unification by force, he said.
If the KMT continues to maintain the “status quo,” China would resort to the use of force to unify with Taiwan and apply its “one country, two systems” formula, Chang said.
Moving toward peace and unification is the only way to ensure Taiwan’s security, he said.
Lo said that the KMT’s cross-strait policy would stand the test of time, adding that the “1992 consensus” was a success in the past and would continue to succeed.
The “1992 consensus” — a term that former Mainland Affairs Council chairman Su Chi (蘇起) in 2006 admitted making up in 2000 — refers to a tacit understanding between the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party that both sides of the Taiwan Strait acknowledge that there is “one China,” with each side having its own interpretation of what “China” means.
Meanwhile, Hau said that maintaining equal friendship with the US and China, while not appeasing either of them would best serve Taiwan’s interests.
Taiwan should promote cross-strait exchanges under the premise of the “1992 consensus,” while China should respect the existence of the Republic of China, he said, using Taiwan's formal name.
Cho proposed “one China” and the rejuvenation of Chinese culture.
The two sides of the Taiwan Strait should share the same, undivided, sovereignty, with each side not denying the other, coexisting and prospering, Cho said.
The best way for Taiwan to deal with the predicament with China would be for the UN to move its headquarters to Taiwan, he said, adding that this would turn Taiwan from a focal point of regional conflict to a starting point for world peace.
Cho said that he would invite Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) and US President Donald Trump to visit Taiwan together to discuss the relocation of the UN’s headquarters.
Tsai proposed a “Two-Five Understanding,” calling for mutual understanding under the "one China" principle to resolve the cross-strait deadlock.
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