| Subjects: |
- Repatriation of Chinese stowaways; Selection of outstanding groups for cultural exchanges; Hong Kong media’s upplay of Beijing’s threats; New government’s Mainland policy.
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MAC Vice Chairman Cheng An-kuo
at the May 6, 2000 Press Conference
His Report:
1. Status report on illegal Mainland Chinese immigrants:
During the period from 1987 to the end of April 2000, policemen arrested 39,317 illegal Mainland Chinese immigrants, among whom 37,604 had been expatriated. Mainland China sent officials twice this year -- in February and March -- to pick up a total of 415 persons. We arrested 662 between January 1 to May 4 this year. Though Beijing officials promised orally to send officials to arrange the repatriation by the end of March, they have procrastinated since the presidential election. They have also politicized the whole situation, causing an overcrowding in various detention centers.
Statistics show that detainees in these centers total 1,545 persons. The Hsinchu Detention Center, with only 764 beds, now has 749 persons. The Matzu Detention Center, with 376 beds, has 395 persons. The Ilan Detention Center, with 512 beds, has 401 persons now. Those who have stayed more than six months in the detention centers reached 288, more than one year 122 persons, more than two years eight persons. Five among them have stayed in the center for more than three years. Among those illegal Mainland Chinese immigrants, 10 are pregnant and six have serious ailments; all are in need of speedy repatriation. In 1999, three illegal Mainland Chinese immigrants died in the center from diseases. After our contact with Mainland China, family members of two of the deceased refused to come to Taiwan to take care of the remains. The remains have been kept in a morgue for a long time, creating management and cost burdens. Costs at the morgue now exceed NT$580,000.
We tried repeatedly to go through the ROC Red Cross Society to contact the Mainland China's Red Cross Society and have obtained its promise to arrange repatriation after the presidential election. But there has been no progress at all. We urge Mainland officials to promptly handle this matter. Mainland officials used to delay the process by saying the ships were malfunctioning. However, we notified the Mainland side in January this year through the Red Cross that we could provide ships for repatriation, but still have not received any response. This supports the credibility of reports that Fujian authorities tolerate such illegal immigration. The United States used passenger airplanes to transport (246) Mainland Chinese stowaways in January this year, which is a precedent we hope Mainland China can allow us to follow. We can send back these illegal Mainland Chinese immigrants and resolve the long-standing issue.
2. Selection of outstanding groups promoting cultural and educational exchanges:
Thirty-three winners of the Third Award for Outstanding Groups Promoting Cross-strait Exchanges have been selected. MAC will hold the award ceremony on May 8. There were 153 entrants this year, and MAC invited 15 scholars, experts, and representatives from various fields to conduct a preliminary review, second review, and final review. Criteria include performance, influence, continuity, quality and number of events sponsored by the entrants.
This award is held bi-annually. Winners will be given priority consideration for MAC sponsorship or subsidies in the future. Winners with outstanding achievements in promoting cross-strait cultural, educational and academic exchanges include Chao Chien-min, professor at Sun Yat-sen Graduate School of National Chengchi University, and Chang Wu-yueh, dean of the Mainland Affairs Research Institute of Tamkang University, both of whom have invited Mainland scholars to lecture in Taiwan many times. They have made great contribution to cross-strait academic exchanges. Also the exhibition of works by movie director Lin Fu-di and the Buddhist Research Program sponsored by Li Chih-tien were also successful programs.
Questions and Answers:
Q. You have closely observed the Hong Kong situation over the past years. It has been clear that the Hong Kong media have repeatedly reported that the PLA may conduct military exercises and Beijing harshly criticized (Taiwan's) president- and vice president-elect since March 18. How do you interpret these moves by the Hong Kong media?
A. We can analyze such a phenomena from three angles. First, some left-wing media in Hong Kong follow Beijing's views to criticize us. Second, the Hong Kong media may receive new releases from related agencies and carry Beijing's verbal attacks and saber-rattling moves without verifying the reliability of sources. Third, the Hong Kong media, for the purpose of sensationalism, played up such news. Hong Kong journalists are very concerned about cross-strait relations, and may exaggerate related news.
Also, Hong Kong people have a wider spectrum of opinions on cross-strait relations. The Taiwan media may handle such information similarly (either through playing up the information or exaggeration).
Q. Chairman Su expressed his reservation about the statement by President-elect Chen Shui-bian that "one China" can be a subject matter on the agenda (of cross-strait political talks). Will MAC make any change in this regard?
A. The incumbent government's Mainland policy centers on the position that "the definition of 'one China' can be subject to respective interpretations" and the Guidelines of National Unification. Certainly, different ruling parties or leaders may have different views on these policies. No matter what the new Mainland policy will be, there must be a well-established policy goal and a well-structured system designed in line with national security, the people's wellbeing, and the cross-strait situation. With a system in place steps and measures can be adopted for implementation. If "one China" was made a subject matter, subsequent issues, such as accepting the "one China" principle or not, or accepting it to what extent, must be given full consideration for the purpose of sound policy-planning.
Q. The MAC team led by Chairman Su Chi will graduate on May 20. Can you give the team a score?
A. It would be improper to give ourselves a score. Over this period of time, all of you must have realized the importance of cross-strait relations and the complexity and difficulties in handling this. Political figures who paid little attention to cross-strait relations are now showing their zeal to know more. I believe they will become better aware of the real situation.
The government has handled cross-strait relations with the same complexity over the past 10 years, but we never lost an inch of ground of the Republic of China, nor caused any damage to the interests of the Taiwan people, or abandoned the principles we stick to. Though some have different views on the progress of the government's handling of Mainland policy, we did safeguard the nation's position and people's welfare. The people have strongly acclaimed the government's performance in handling cross-strait relations. In a pluralistic society, it is impossible to obtain a blanket consensus on Mainland policy and cross-strait relations. But the governments' policy follows the dominant popular opinions, winning people’s recognition.
Q. President-elect Chen Shui-bian mentioned that there should be three principles for (political) talks with Mainland China, including "not to have any preconditions." The KMT government has a policy that "the definition of 'one China' should be subject to respective interpretations," in essence, to support the idea that "one China" should be related to the future. Will MAC, under the new government, find it improper to continue supporting that "the definition of 'one China' should be subject to respective interpretations”?
A. Cross-strait relations should be given a goal, that is the establishment of a lasting and sustainable relationship. After Mainland China shows good will and begins to implement liberalization and democratization, the two sides can go through negotiations to establish a workable framework for assimilation. "Without any precondition" can be viewed within such a context. But, the new government must have a strategic thinking and system behind its Mainland policy. The position that "'one China', respectively interpreted by each side" is the most optimal solution for cross-strait relations.
Mainland China denied there was such a consensus and failed to show any good will, which strained cross-strait relations. But, recently there have been signs that Mainland China has begun to accept that "'one China', respectively interpreted by each side" is the best option for the two sides, and the only possible convergence. So, we believe that this statement is a very important point to be shared by both sides.
Q. Su mentioned that the government believes that the "special state-to-state relationship" is a way of giving "respective interpretations", which Mainland China did not accept. How is the government going to describe the situation?
A. The "special state-to-state relationship" is a description of the status of the two sides, and any description of the cross-strait status cannot change the reality of cross-strait relations. So, this is not the key of the cross-strait relationship. The key to the cross-strait relationship is the positioning of the two sides and how that will affect future development. "'one China', respectively interpreted by each side" is the best basis for future cross-strait relations.
Q. What you just said seems to be contradictory with the new government's position. Are you saying that the new government must conduct a thorough study into the "one China" issue? Will MAC do such a study and adjust its Mainland policy?
A. What I just described is the incumbent policy. You can determine whether that is contradictory to the new government's stance. The government, incumbent or incoming, has a paramount mission to safeguard the security of the Taiwan Strait, the people's interests, and the position of the Republic of China. How to accomplish that can be studied by the new government, old government, scholars, or private organizations in order to seek the most optimal arrangement.
Q. MAC used to uphold the view that unification should be in spoken in the future tense. However, DPP Chairman Lin I-hsiung recently said that if any new cabinet member who seriously carries out a unification plan should be removed. Is his statement detrimental to the continuation of Mainland policy?
A. The implementation of Mainland policy in the future must follow the principles of dignity, peace and security in the Taiwan Strait, and the wellbeing of people in Taiwan, in order to formulate the best policy. Any policy-making should follow this track of thought. The interests of the entire people must take precedence over the ideas or goals of individuals. We cannot comment on the problems the new government will face. We can only urge the new government to have a well-structured system regarding Mainland affairs and sound conceptual support.
Q. You just mentioned that the government is planning to handle the repatriation. How would you carry that out? What if Mainland China refuses to accept this?
A. As long as it accepts such an arrangement, we can immediately proceed. There is no operational problem. We have to urge Mainland China to deal with this issue.