Koo Chen-fu
Chairman
Straits Exchange Foundation, Republic of China
October 18, 1998
Ladies and Gentlemen:
First of all, I would like to extend my gratitude and respect to each and every one of you in the news media for your hard work and attention over my trip during the last couple of days.
I just had a frank and sincere exchange of views with Mr. Jiang. In the last couple of days, I met with Qian Qichen and Chen Yunlin in addition to Chairman Wang Daohan of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits. I also visited quite a few places in Peking and Shanghai. As a government-authorized organization, the Straits Exchange Foundation is very grateful for the arrangements and careful reception provided by the ARATS and other related agencies.
The two sides of the Taiwan Strait have been under divided rule for almost half a century and hold quite a few diverse views on many major issues. My delegation set foot on mainland Chinese soil with the intention of goodwill. We can see that the people on both sides are living a much better life than they were before. All of us should cherish such an outcome.
More important, we should begin to think about how to create a brighter future. This is why I introduced to Mr. Jiang Taiwan's experiences in promoting democratization and economic accomplishments. Taiwan's democratization has by no means been without drawbacks. However, as President Lee Teng-hui put it, it is a developmental experience best suited for China's conditions, achieved by Chinese people on Chinese soil. We are more than willing to share this experience and exchange views with the people of the Chinese mainland.
We understand that the economic achievements the Chinese mainland sees today have not been easily attained. However, if the Chinese mainland wishes to further promote its economic development in the future, it has to take a brave stride forward on the path to democratization. Judging from a long-term point of view, we see that only democratization can sustain social stability and a sound economic structure. In addition, China's reunification hinges upon the democratization of the Chinese mainland. Only when the Chinese mainland has achieved democracy can the two sides of the Taiwan Strait talk about reunification. That will also be the time when neighboring countries in the Asia-Pacific region will no longer fear China's reunification.
Due to time limits, full understanding could not be achieved in the meetings with Mr. Jiang and other top leaders of the Chinese mainland. However, we understand that it still requires a great number of contacts between the two sides before mutual understanding can be achieved since they have been separated for so long. After this round of the Koo-Wang meetings, every one of us is more aware of the importance of constructive dialogue as well as the necessity to upgrade the level of participants and continue consultations in the future. As for as these parts are concerned, I think both sides have made a very significant, initial step forward.
Thank you.