Dear Mr. George W. Bush,

Taiwan has learned lessons from U.S.’s election.

“Those priorities are not merely Republican concerns of Democratic concerns, there are American responsibilities.”

“The spirit of cooperation I have seen in this hall is what is needed in Washington, it is the challenge of our moment.”

After a difficult election, we must put politics behind us and work together to make the promise of America available for every one of our citizens,” Bush said, in “I was not elected to serve one party, but to serve one nation. The president of the United States is the president of every race and every back round; whether you voted for me or not, I will do my best to serve your interests, and I will work to earn your respect.”

Bush’s victory speech as released by the Bush campaign.

“Now the U.S. Supreme Court has spoken. Let there be no doubt, while I strongly disagree with the court’s decision.” “I accept it. I accept the finality of this outcome which will be ratified next Monday in the Electoral College, and tonight, for the sakes of our unity of the people and the strength of our democracy. I offer my concession.”

“I personally will be at his disposal, and I call on all Americans --- I particularity urge all who stood with us to unite behind our next president.”

Al Gore during his Wednesday night speech (Dec. 13, 2000)

Jan. 1, 2001 ---  
President Chen Shui-bian yesterday extended an olive branch to mainland China, hinting he does not oppose the “one China” prescribed by the Republic of China Constitution.

In a goodwill gesture, he also said his government would adjust the so-called “no haste, be patient” policy on mainland investment.

The remarks, made in a televised message to the nation for the New Year, were seen by observers here as a reconciliatory tone in the face of the ongoing cross-strait stalemate and growing pressure from Beijing.

In his New Year’s message, Chen also urged Beijing to break through the existing cross strait stalemate with open-mindedness and forward-looking vision so as to jointly establish a mechanism for permanent peace and political integration of Taiwan and the mainland.

 “With the advent of the new century, it is the people of Taiwan’s deepest hope to improve cross-strait relations and bring permanent peace in the Taiwan Strait,” Chen said in his televised address.

Chen said both Taipei and Beijing are members of the same family and should remain in peace.

“I always thought people on the two sides were of the same family and shared the same goal of seeking co-existence and prosperity,” Chen said.

“We urge the government and leaders of the other side to respect the living space of the Republic of China and its international dignity and openly renounce military threats,” Chen said.

Beijing has repeatedly threatened to invade Taiwan should it declare formal independence --- a move Chen has advocated in the past as a leader of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party.

Chen said his government will adopt a new vision with “active opening, effective management” in its trade policy towards mainland China. He, however, did not elaborated. He said under the ROC Constitution, “one China” --- a principle cherished by Beijing, “has never been a question.”

But he quickly added that there is a need for Beijing to respect the free will of 23 million people in Taiwan in order to narrow the gap of understanding.

In response, the opposition Kuomintang said it welcomes the “leader of the state” to return to the Constitutional way in handling the cross-strait issue.

On the domestic front, Chen told people in Taiwan to be prepared for some rough times ahead with the slowing of the global economy and he urged opposition parties to reconcile.

“Taiwan’s economic prosperity will again face a difficult test. The government and the private sector should make the best preparation for the worst possibility,” Chen said.

Taiwan’s stock market rang out a bearish 2000 with a 44 percent slide amid political and economic uncertainties, making the island one of the world’s worst performers.

Taiwan must face the new problems from Beijing.

“A great many mainland security officials flooded Taiwan during the presidential campaign earlier this year, but were led to wrong conclusions, in part by the loose speeches made by rival campaigns.” “Mainland China has beefed up its intelligence operations in Taiwan and sizable number of politicians and military officers might have been won over,” a high-ranking security officer said on Dec. 1, 2000.

Obviously, pro-unification activist are high on the recruiting venture, the count were increased by Beijing side.

From the reporters, an estimated 23,000 mainlanders visit Taiwan each year since the government lifted the ban on such travel in 1988, the National Security Bureau Deputy Han Kun told a military seminar over 3,000 of them are here on spy activities, he said.

National security can no longer be used as an excuse to ban bilateral contact in an increasingly globalized economy.

Nevertheless, face to the fact, if we cannot say the Republic of China is “ethnic Chinese,” not Chinese and “Taiwanese is not Chinese” that Taiwan democratic change is only a joke.

As we have known that Beijing angrily froze bilateral talks July last year after former President Lee Teng-hui characterized cross-strait ties as “special state-to-state” which was recognized by the “1992 consensus” that each side can express its one China principle.

However, Beijing’s suspicious of the pro-independence clause enshrined in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) platform, it insists President Chen Shui-bian recognize the “one China” tenet before seeking to resume dialogue.

The mainland has said it will not dance to Taiwan’s tune that relating goodwill posture of “mini three links” from Taiwan.

In Taiwan side, President Chen said on Dec. 30, 2000. “The trip (mini three links) will serve an icebreaker for governments on both sides of the strait,” adding he has removed legal obstacles to the unprecedented venture.

In Beijing side, it is too bad to enter into talks with Taipei, when “small three links” would go into effort.

As a big country Beijing needs not to insist on its “one China” principle as a condition for any cross-strait dialogue with Taiwan.

Taiwan surely needs your help.

                                                                                            Yours Sincerely,