| Subjects: |
- Three conferences on cross-strait exchanges; Korean summit; Cross-strait transportation for religious purposes; Multi-partisan Task Force; Track II.
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Vice Chairman Chen Min-tong
at the June 16, 2000 Press Conference
His Report:
1. The Cross-century Summer Camp for University Students from the Two Sides of the Strait:
This conference, organized by the Happy Sunshine Foundation under the auspices of MAC, runs from June 9 to June 18. The main objective is to train university students from the two sides to be socially responsible and devoted to the nation, in order to develop a new value system for the new century for the two sides.
2. The Conference on Aerography and Meteorology Application:
This conference, sponsored by the ROC Meteorology Society under the auspices of the Chinese Development Fund, will be held June 21-22 in the auditorium of the Second Student Center of National Taiwan University. Invited to this conference are Tseng Chincen, Vice Chairman of the China Scientific Technology Association, Li Huang, Deputy Director-General of the Central Weather Bureau and 17 other scholars and experts from Mainland China who will exchange views with local scholars and experts on the atmospheric environment in the two areas.
3. Cross-strait Sports Science Conference:
The Chinese Development Fund contracted National Normal University to organize the "Cross-strait Sports Science Conference," which will be held June 22-23 in the audio-video room at the university’s gymnasium center. The purpose is to understand the development and trend of sports sciences, study future R&D orientations, and promote sports exchanges between the two sides. The invited include scholars from the Beijing Institute of Physical Culture, Zhejiang University, and South China Normal University, who will exchange views with those of Taiwan’s National College of Physical Education and Sports and National Taiwan College of Physical Education.
Questions and Answers:
Q. Please comment on the hand-shaking peace-talk between North and South Koreas.
A. We will continue to watch the future developments on the Korean Peninsula. The situation there bears striking similarities with cross-strait relations as well as differences. We expect cross-strait relations to first progress toward stability and establish a confidence mechanism, and then deal with other related issues later. To put in a simple way, the Korean summit has one inspiration for us: as long as the two sides have no preconditions, no matter how great are the differences can be discussed over the negotiation table.
Q. Can you elaborate on the similarities and differences regarding the Korea situation and cross-strait relations?
A. Similarities refers to shared history, a willingness to negotiate, and rejection of war. Differences means different background and origins of today’s issues.
Q. Chairperson Tsai expressed no objection to Mainland Chinese touring Taiwan. Has MAC made any concrete plans?
A. I have to further understand this before answering your question.
Q. Members of the Chenglan Temple, Tachia town in Taichung, said they would abide by the current policy regulations regarding their July 16 pilgrimage to Meizhou, Fujian province. Do current rules require the ship to dock at a third place, application on a case-by-case basis, and the use of ships with foreign registration? Does foreign registration also include that of Hong Kong? What will be the assistance from MAC?
A. First of all, we have to thank the support from Yen Chin-biao, Speaker of Taichung County Assembly to arrange the pilgrimage ship dock at a third place. We will live up to our promise to conduct a feasibility study and plan for the "small three direct links" and "transportation for religious purposes." As for assistance, we will see what will be applied for. We will talk with applicant and provide all necessary assistance within the scope of law and regulations.
Q. The Hong Kong-based Wen Wui Po reported today that Beijing insists that the "small three direct links" be negotiated under the "one China" premise. Quoting high-ranking officials of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), the newspaper said that without recognizing "one China," ARATS would not negotiate with the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) over the "small three direct links." Please comment on this. Also, regarding transportation for religious purposes, the PRC announced three principles: (1) no docking at a third place, (2) no use of foreign ships, and (3) no need to apply for a Taiwan Visitors Pass. These three principles differ widely from the ROC government’s current standing. Please comment on this as well.
A. It is not a new thing for the PRC to mention the "one China" premise. President Chen Shui-bian already responded to this issue in his inaugural speech on May 20. The government’s basic policy remains unchanged. Regarding the PRC’s views on transportation for religious purposes, we will have further study before giving you an answer.
Q. (South Korean President) Kim Dae Jung said the two Koreas can be unified under the "confederation model." What are the differences between Kim’s model and President Chen’s? Can Kim’s model be applicable to the cross-strait situation?
A. As I just said, the cross-strait situation bears similarities with as well as differences with the Korean situation. The most important issue on the cross-strait agenda is to build up confidence and resume negotiations. The model proposed by Kim to resolve the Korean situation is based upon the uniqueness in the Korean Peninsula. President Chen presented his proposed idea of “confederation” when he visited senior presidential advisor Sun Yuan-suan. Therefore, different situations and perspectives certainly lead to different thinking and models. These two cannot be compared.
Q. Former U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry, who has promoted Track II, will call on MAC this afternoon. What is your view of Track II?
A. No matter that is Track II or III, we always affirm their positive values for cross-strait communications. The primary task is to promptly resume institutionalized communication channels between the two sides (SEF and ARATS). We also welcome Track II, or Track III, which could help restore the institutionalized channel. However, we still insist that all substantial dialogues between the two sides should be conducted by agencies duly authorized by the formal channel. We do not wish to see Track II or Track III intervene in substantial dialogues.
Q. President (of Academia Sinica) Y. T. Lee will organize a "cross-partisan task force."(consensus group) What is the role it will play in the making of Mainland policy? What will be its interaction with MAC?
A. It is learned that the task force will be a consultant group for the president. When it is established, its role and relations with others will be defined. Since the task force is yet to be formed, it would be premature to discuss how it will work and what will be its relations with others. MAC thus refrains from making any comment on interactions with it. After it is established, if it needs assistance, MAC will do what it can after understanding it’s actual role.
Q. You said Track II or Track III will play a supplementary role, and that the government-authorized channel will still be given a higher priority. But, since there is a lack of consensus on the "one China" principle on the two sides, and the official communication channel can by no means begin functioning, how will MAC break out of this quagmire?
A. Lately, we met many foreign friends who are in favor of Track II or Track III. Other than showing our appreciation, we also hope that they can really help bridge the gap between the two sides. We are inspired by the Korean summit in which the two sides were able to sit down and discuss a lot of things. Not all things can be resolved overnight. As long as we have sincerity and good will to communicate, the cross-strait situation might have wider room to maneuver and greater flexibility. We will work toward resuming the official communication channels between the two sides.
Q. Can you give some details about Vice Chairman Chong-pin Lin's visit to the United States?
A. His visit is a pre-arranged program of MAC. One of MAC’s jobs is to maintain contacts, have communication, and promote affairs with overseas communities. Dr. Lin’s trip this time is to inform others about the new government’s Mainland policy. After he returns, he can give you a briefing on the results of the trip.