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The opposition alliance has passed President Chen Shui-bian to woo Beijing by returning to the 1992 agreement which says the two sides are both part of China but can differ in defining it content.

Meanwhile, Taiwan is ready to defend itself against an invasion from mainland China. It has been preparing for the worst for several years.

Nevertheless, Taiwan should take a new perspective on its role in bilateral exchange across the Taiwan Strait as mainland China is becoming a part of the global production system.

President Chen Shui-bian will embrace the “one China” principle if it echoes the desire of most people here, Nobel-winning chemist Lee Yuan-tseh asserted, a claim to which the Presidential Office promised to respond favorably.

Lee, who heads the advisory panel on cross-strait ties, assured legislators the president will not and cannot, ignore public opinion in addressing key policy issues, including Taiwan’s sovereignty row with mainland China.

Beijing has maintained dominion over the island after driving the Kuomintang (KMT) government from the mainland at the end of a civil war in 1949.

“President Chen has no reason, nor can he afford, to reject the ‘one China’ policy if the nation favors its adoption,” Lee, president of the Academia Sinica, maintained.

Lee, whose backing is believed to have helped Chen capture the presidency, called again on the president to acknowledge “the 1992 agreement” between the two sides, meaning both are part of China but free to define its meaning.

While wary of provoking Beijing, Chen has denied the existence of such an accord. He would only treat the issue as an item to be discussed when urging foes across the strait to the negotiating table.

“Time is not on our side if tensions continue to dictate bilateral interplay,” Lee said at the Legislature’s science, technology and communications committee.

Beijing has refused to deal with the Chen administration as long as it doesn’t back the unification cause as did its KMT predecessors.

Lee suggested the two enemies crack open the gridlock by returning to the 1992 consensus.

“Time will be on our side if ties across the strait are characterized by goodwill and harmony,” he remarked.

To pitch his proposal, Lee met with heavyweights of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on the weekend, which doesn’t hide its pro-independence stance.

The top researcher expressed optimism Chen would endorse his view if the country stands by him. His cross-strait panel would soon present its first piece of advice to the president, Lee alluded.

Chen, entering the Presidential Office with less than 40 percent of the vote, has asked the well-esteemed Lee to help unite the politically polarized people.

“The opinion of (Lee’s) task force will have crucial bearing on Chen’s policy-making,” Presidential Secretary-General Yu Shui-kun said, lending weight to Lee’s authority.

“Would you threaten to quit in an attempt to bring the president to heel,” KMT lawmaker Lin Yi-shih asked.

Noting that it takes time to change one’s belief. Lee said he would not take any drastic step.