| Subjects: |
- Student Exchanges; Beijing's military threats; Tension in the Taiwan Straits.
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MAC Vice Chairman Chong-Pin Lin
at the April 28, 2000 Press Conference
His Report:
1. "The Performing Arts Camp for Young Students of the Two Sides in 2000"
Young people are the seeds for cross-strait exchanges. In order to educate university students on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to understand the differences between the two sides and generate a social value system for the new century, MAC has been active in promoting Mainland Chinese young students to have exchanges with our side. The Chinese Development Fund has for the second time contracted the Chinese Youth Exchange Association to sponsor the "Performing Arts Camp for Young Students of the Two Sides in 2000" from April 27 to May 7. Activities of the camp include seminars, learning activities, performance programs, and visits.
There are 35 participants from the Mainland side, representing the Chinese Cultural Association, Ministry of Culture, Central Conservatory of Music, Conservatory of Chinese Music, Chinese Opera Institute, Central Drama Institute, and Beijing Institute of Dancing. From the Taiwan side are 35 students from National Taiwan Normal University, National Taiwan College of Arts, Fu Jen Catholic University, the Chinese Culture University, and Soochow University.
Since last July, MAC has arranged the following programs for young people on the two sides: four forums for young scholars, four campus forums for university students, five trips by Mainland Chinese overseas students and scholars, seven study camps, and two summer camps for high school students.
2. Regarding Beijing's military threats
I attended a public hearing this Wednesday sponsored by Legislator Ms. Chin Hui-chu and gave an explanation about the PRC's military moves. I think that people here are over-concerned and enthusiastic about Beijing's moves toward Taiwan. We should have a different attitude. I would elaborate this point with two metaphors.
The first one is a river. We should not judge whether a river is clear or whether there is any sediment or pollution simply by observing the river's mouth. We should monitor the river from its upper stream, middle stream, and to its down stream. The upper stream refers to Mainland China's internal situation: whether its economy is healthy, and whether its income distribution is even. Moreover, economic development will affect the social situation. If economic growth is slow, social instability may increase. We can read into its cultural development to see whether there is or lacks a value system and beliefs. These factors all together affect the political situation in Mainland China. If the above-mentioned factors are secured, the high-level leaders may maintain a harmonious relationship. Conversely, internal instability will lead to conflicts among Chinese leaders, and will be externalized in its dealing with the outside world.
The middle stream refers to the international situation, mainly, the U.S. factor - Washington's attitude - and the attitudes of European and Asian countries.
The down-stream refers to Taiwan's words and deeds. The river's mouth is Beijing's words and acts toward Taiwan. If we only watch the river's mouth, we might overreact.
The second metaphor is radar. We should not have only 60-degree radius radar. We should have one operating with 360 degrees. For example, we should not see just one blip (maybe military, political, social, economic, or diplomatic factors) to make a whole picture of it. If so, we may lose our clear sight of Mainland China's real situation.
These are the way I have used for the past 10 years to observe Mainland China's situation, and they are for your reference.
Questions and Answers:
Q. Former U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry said that Mainland China has increased the number of missiles targeting Taiwan, and that the PLA Air Force recently approached U.S. reconnaissance airplanes cruising along the Mainland's southeast coast. Mainland China also encouraged Taiwan businessmen to make root-seeking trips to the Mainland. Taiwan businessmen supporting (President-elect) Chen Shui-bian have suffered tax investigation for their businesses on the Mainland. What is your interpretation of these events?
A. We pay great attention to information about the PLA. But, we need to learn the whole picture to predict its possible move toward Taiwan. Mainland China is exerting an all-out pressure toward Taiwan businessmen, to which we are paying close attention.
Q. Tang Shubei (Vice Chairman of Association for Relations Across Taiwan Straits) mentioned in an interview yesterday the substance of "one China" but he did not clearly say that "'one China' is the People's Republic of China." Are you encouraged by his positive response?
A. We have reiterated that setting a timetable will not help resolve the cross-strait issues, and could only damage the chance for unification. If any timetable is needed, the timetable for Mainland China to implement a full-fledged democratization will be more pressing than one for cross-strait unification. Resolving cross-strait relations must be based on equality for both sides to seek an agreement. It is by no means that one side could force the other to accept a foregone conclusion. A new era for the two sides is in the offing. The two sides should advance toward peace and multiple-wins, not coercion and threats. The two sides should say and do nice things to each other more often. Words said by Beijing to Taiwan are different from those given to the international community.
Q. The government introduced the "special state-to-state relationship" in an attempt to prevent being downgraded to a local government in talks with Beijing. However, Tang said yesterday that the future cross-strait talks, although under the "one China" principle, will by no means be talks between the central government and a local government. Can this statement assure us for talks?
A. We will keep watching that.
Q. You just mentioned that Beijing's words spoken to Taiwan must be examined to see whether they are different from those spoken to the international community. What is your conclusion from this angle? Can you give us an example?
A. A few years ago, we already noticed that on several issues (including "one China"), Beijing officials' statements in closed meetings with U.S. officials were different from what they told us.
Q. Vice President-elect Annette Lu urged the United States to allow the two sides to meet in Washington. Does MAC support this?
A. We believe all suggestions in favor of resuming the cross-strait dialogue are positive. It is hoped that Mainland China can have an open mind to adopt suggestions and practices conducive to a friendly interplay between the two sides.
Q. Can MAC accept Tang's suggestion that "the two sides can have talks under the condition of not as a central government vs. a local government?"
A. We will have to study that further.
Q. International observers believe that there has been increasing uncertainty and tension in cross-strait relations. What is your comment on that?
A. If we took March 18 as a cut-off point, Mainland China's behavior did undergo a pronounced change. During the days approaching March 18, Mainland China had raised the pitch of its voice, which was dramatically different from its voice after March 18. Its pressures on us are continual, but it has adjusted the level of its pitch.
Q. While celebrating (the seventh) anniversary of the Koo-Wang Talks, are we going to adjust the relations between and functions of SEF and ARATS?
A. We have authorized SEF to handle this case. SEF will explain this at its press conference scheduled for tomorrow.
| The MAC News Briefing is an English transcript of the weekly news conference held by the Mainland Affairs Council. We try our best to provide an accurate English translation. In case of discrepancy, the Chinese text rules. |