Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairman Jaushieh Joseph Wu stated today (8th) that the lunar new year chartered flights could serve as a very good starting point for the resumption of cross-strait negotiations, as well as a window of opportunity for improving cross-strait relations. The previous statements of the Chinese authorities on the lunar new year chartered flights had not been consistent, which shows that China has not yet made any final decision on this matter. However, it has not yet closed the door either, and therefore “there is still a chance for the lunar new year chartered flights to be realized.”
MAC Chairman Wu made the above statements in response to questions raised by international reporters attending the International Media Press Briefing held by the MAC today (8th).
Chairman Wu further pointed out that items required to be negotiated for the cross-strait chartered flights proposal include the choice of the points of destination, the airline companies that would be designated, the flight routes, the number of flights and flight capacity, the planning of the routes, the acknowledgement of documents, the inspection of flight operations, air traffic control, security, the handling of disputes, and the investigation and relief measures to deal with emergencies and accidents, which all need to be discussed on the negotiation table, in order that both sides can come up with solutions. Chairman Wu emphasized that the Government has already relaxed previous restrictions on the lunar new year chartered flights proposal last year. Now the government agrees that the principles that the flights can be “bi-directional,” “operated by airline companies of both sides of the Strait,” and “do not need to stop over at a third location.” It is expected that after the 2004 legislative election in Taiwan, China could eliminate the obstacles blocking cross-strait dialogue, and pragmatically face and address cross-strait relations. Both sides should especially try their best to facilitate and push forward the matters that are mutually beneficial.
The international media reporters expressed profound concern over the effects of the results of the 2004 legislative election on cross-strait relations. Chairman Wu believed that China had previously held unrealistic expectations over election results in Taiwan. Should the “pan green” win a majority of the legislative seats, this would be more beneficial to the Government’s implementation of its cross-strait policies, and would allow China to consider cross-strait relations in a more pragmatic way and to squarely face up to the status of the ruling party, spurring the other side of the Strait into negotiating with the Taiwan Government as soon as possible.
President Chen Shui-bian’s recent call for “constitutional reform” and “the rectification of Taiwan’s name” has also become one of the focal points that international media reporters are following with interest. Chairman Wu stated that the international community has not yet clearly understood that the Taiwanese people’s pursuit for a more profound sense of democracy and that the objectives of Taiwan’s constitutional reform were to shape a more appropriate political system that will more conform to reality, as well as to enhance the Government’s effective governance. These would neither touch on sovereignty issues nor change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. On the contrary, China has repeatedly engaged in diplomatic oppression of Taiwan and made several attempts to destroy the balance between the military strengths of both sides, belittling the status of Taiwan through its so-called “one China” principle. This is unilaterally changing the status quo. China’s misunderstanding of Taiwan’s democratization and constitutional reform has led to its erroneous judgment over its Taiwan policies, which would only cause the Taiwanese people to drift further away. However, there are still reasonable and moderate people within the Mainland Chinese ranks, and Taiwan is still willing to continue to communicate with them.
On the contrary, the Government has never ceased to extend its goodwill to China. Chairman Wu has also formally announced in a press briefing that the Government shall start to implement a major measure allowing news reporters of China News Service to be stationed in Taiwan to cover news events. The China News Service is the fifth mainland Chinese news media agency allowed by the Government to station reporters in Taiwan to cover news events. It is hoped that through news reporting, the mainland Chinese people can deepen their understanding of the development of the Taiwanese society, which can enhance benign interchanges between both sides.
Moreover, Chairman Wu also expressed in response to questions by international media reporters on the present condition of mainland Chinese democratic activists, Yan Peng and Chen Rongli, that both sought political asylum from Taiwan or from a third country by sneaking into Taiwan through illegal means. The judicial trial procedures have been concluded and both of them should be imposed forced repatriation in accordance with the regulations. However, based on humanitarian considerations, the Government has not deported them to China, but has carefully handled the matter by allowing them to stay based on a precedent to conduct an investigation of their identities, respect their intentions, and assist them in proceeding to a third country. However, according to Article 31 of the United Nation Convention on the Status of Refugees in 1951, the movement of people entering a country through illegal means shall still be restricted. Therefore, based on considerations of national security, they had to be temporarily sheltered at the Mainland Chinese Detention Center in Ilan.
As they are waiting for asylum, the Government agencies concerned have also provided them with accommodations and convenience by allowing them to contact with the outside world. The officials concerned have visited them several times to gain an understanding of their personal wishes and of their living conditions. However, in the process of seeking asylum, their identities needed to be checked to ensure that they satisfied the requirements of third country for asylum; the attitude of the countries concerned should also be ascertained. The Government needed time to engage in consultations through every channel. At the same time, Chairman Wu also urged the international human rights organizations to work hard together to seek assistance for both refugees.
The International Media Press Briefing, which lasted for one and a half hours, was held in coordination with the Government Information Office’s invitation of foreign media to observe the 6th legislative election in Taiwan. The entire delegation is composed of more than fifty delegates coming from America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.