Dec.30,2000 --- To: George W. Bush

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President Chen Shui-bian said yesterday that the imminent opening of the “mini three links” will mark the onset of normalization of trade and economic relations across the Taiwan Strait.

Chen made the remarks while meeting with a delegation of the Taiwan-Japanese Relations Research Association, a forum founded 10 years ago by a group of heavyweights in Japan’s cultural and academic communities.

It was also the first time that Chen had publicly addressed the mini links issue.

Chen told his guests that government has taken the initiative by opening direct trade, mail and shipping links between its frontline islands of Kinmen and Matsu, and mainland China’s Xiamen and Fuzhou ports, commonly known as the “mini three links,” on a trial basis for one year from Jan. 1.

“The mini three links will not only legalize the long existing small-time trade between fishermen on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait but will also mark an initial step toward normalizing cross-strait trade and economic ties,” Chen explained.

Chen further said the government will review its policy toward cross-strait trade based on the principles of reciprocity, respecting market forces and ensuring Taiwan’s security.

“I think that after the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are admitted to the World Trade Organization in the near future, they should further open their markets in line with WTO requirements,” the president observed.

Chen, who took office in the first democratic transfer of power between different political parties in May, pointed out that the people of Taiwan cherish the historical, ethnic and cultural backgrounds they share with the people of mainland China.

Nevertheless, Chen said that as a popularly elected president, he must safeguard the country’s sovereignty security and dignity.

“Since taking office, I have on many occasions called on the top leaders on both sides of the strait to exercise wisdom and creativity to jointly deal with the issue of a ‘future one China’ on the existing foundations and under the principles of democracy and parity,” Chen stressed.

Noting that Taiwan is now a pluralistic democratic society, Chen said the people of Taiwan remain divided over the definition of “one China.”

“I believe it will take much time for the people of Taiwan to forge a consensus on this extremely sensitive and complicated sovereignty issue,” Chen told the Japanese visitors.

He reaffirmed his support for the recommendations presented recently by an advisory group on cross-strait relations, including the proviso that any change to Taiwan’s present status quo must be approved by the people of Taiwan through democratic procedures and that his administration should respond to Beijing’s “one China” claim in accordance with the ROC Constitution.

Chen further noted that the first democratic transition of power ranks 17^th in the 2000 “Top 20” news events list compiled by the Associated Press.

Touching on relations with Japan, Chen said Taiwan and Japan should cooperate more closely to cope with the mounting military threat from mainland China.

“In the face of Beijing’s intensified military build-up, its ever-increasing military budget and deployment of guided missiles in its coastal regions, our two countries must share information and cooperate more closely in the defense field in order to maintain peace, security and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the entire Asia-Pacific are,” Chen urged.

He also said the new defense cooperation guidelines signed between Japan and the United States have deliberately maintained “strategic ambiguity” as regards the scope of its enforcement.

“We believe that this arrangement will contribute to safeguarding the Taiwan Strait’s security and stability,” Chen added.

“The mini three links do not represent a gesture of goodwill from Taiwan”, Beijing expressed its attitude over “mini three links”. “Chen still sticks to his evasive and vague attitude ignoring the mainland’s sincerity and growing criticism from the island’s non-ruling parties,” the Beijing said that.

In Taiwan side, for about “mini three links” MAC (Mainland Affairs council) chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen gave her statement over both-side as follow on Dec. 28, 2000.

“But it is just the first step, and we will try to expand the scope in the future if everything goes smoothly,” Tsai said.

Taiwan is planning to open the door for direct links with mainland China after both sides enter the World Trade Organization (WTO), Tsai said.

The international organization will prove rules for cross-strait interactions, even though there is no dialogue between Taiwan and the mainland, Tsai added.

The government will make and effort to examine its mini links policy to address problems emerging from its current scheme. It will also try to find a balance between political concerns and economic development, Tsai said.

“Taiwan and mainland China are not enemies, but they do have many misunderstands towards each other due to poor communication,” she said.

Tsai urged the public to have faith that the mainland will have a positive response to the issue.

“We have expectations for PRC authorities that they will listen to the voices of people both in Taiwan and in the mainland, and we are willing to consider any possibilities in regard to cross-strait relations,” she said.

So, Taiwan needs you help.