Jaushieh Joseph Wu: Both Sides of the Strait Should Establish Confidence Building Measures to Avoid Accidental Conflicts
Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated during a legislative session today (7th) that there still exist probable accidental conflicts between both sides of the Strait; therefore, he urged that both sides of the Strait must resume negotiations as soon as possible and establish confidence building measures to avoid probable cross-Strait accidental conflicts and to pursue peace across the Strait.
The Legislative Yuan’s Home and Nations Committee invited today MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu to make a report and answer questions raised by Committee legislators. He stated that petty conflicts are not similar to wars. Therefore, he emphasized that the statement regarding “accidental conflicts between both sides of the Strait” does not contradict with President Chen Shui-bian’s declaration that there will be no cross-Strait war before 2008.
Chairperson Wu emphasized that in the event that the PRC uses force against Taiwan without being provoked by Taiwan, it is believed that this would not be acceptable to the international community. Therefore, to avoid the occurrence of cross-Strait accidental conflicts, it is hoped that both sides can resume negotiations for the establishment of confidence building measures as soon as possible.