A top Taiwanese negotiator has reiterated the need for the PRC to drop its ‘One China Policy’ if there is to be any chance of stable relations.
A top Taiwanese negotiator has reiterated the need for the PRC to drop its ‘One China Policy’ if there is to be any chance of stable relations.
Below is an article by the Daily Yomiuri:
Taiwan's top China negotiator said China should abandon its "one China" principle if it wants to have dialogue with Taiwan on reaching a peace agreement.
Citing Chinese President Hu Jintao's offer of talks with Taiwan made during the Communist Party Congress in October [2007], Hong Chi-chang, head of the semiofficial Straits Exchange Foundation that deals with its mainland counterpart in the absence of official ties, said, "As long as China holds to its 'one China' principle as a precondition, it's impossible to have dialogue on a peace agreement, no matter who is [Taiwan] president."
Hu said last month [October 2007] China was "ready to conduct dialogue on any issue" as long as Taiwan recognizes that "both sides of the [Taiwan] strait belong to one and the same China."
For his part, Hong, a legislator of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, said: "In Taiwan, 'one China' is regarded as referring to the People's Republic of China, as is the case at the United Nations. This is against Taiwan's interest and unacceptable for many Taiwan residents."
China's Communist Party approved Hu's political report, which supported the development of areas where many of Taiwan's investors inject their capital. However, Hong said such a move was no more than a "unilateral Chinese measure," and pointed out that both sides should hold talks on investment protection agreements. "It's essential to safeguard investors' interests, as well as personal safety and property," Hong said.
Regarding stalled talks on opening Taiwan to Chinese tourism and cross-strait charter flights, Hong said there was little prospect for negotiations at the moment, in light of Taiwan's presidential election in March 2008.
"[China] sets political obstacles. As the [presidential] election nears and the mood turns political, it's actually very difficult [to hold such talks]," Hong said.
