Taiwan Tati Cultural
And Educational Foundation
B16F, No.3 Ta-tun 2nd St., Nan-tun Dist.
Taichung
408, Taiwan, R.O.C
January 3, 2001.
|
Dear
Mr. George W. Bush,
Our
foundation wants to tell something about Taiwan …
Both sides ( Taipei-Beijing
) should begin
with the normalization of bilateral trade and economic relations, and take
on a pragmatic attitude in the future by increasing economic exchanges
under a framework of international standards.
Dec.
6, 2000 ---
“Mainland China had stepped up its espionage
against Taiwan,” Han Kun, deputy director of the National Security
Bureau, said that.
Jan.
1, 2001 ---
Two ROC frontline islands are
gearing up for historic direct contact with mainland Chinese cities which
begins today.
On the eve of the opening, the
Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen
called on Beijing to provide necessary assistance to facilitate smooth
proceeding of the landmark “mini three links.”
“I hope that the mainland will offer necessary
assistance and protection for our ships in its territory,”
Tsai said.
“We will also communicate with ship owners to
reduce possible risks of their cross-strait sailing,” she
said.
A commercial ship, “Haian,” is
expected to embark on the first cross-strait voyage today.
As of today, direct trade,
transport and postal services will be authorized between
selected mainland centers and the
Taiwan controlled islets of Kinmen and Matsu which lie just opposite the
southern coast of mainland China.
The voyage, which has obtained a
permission from the ROC government, is expected to be launched at 9:30
a.m. from Kinmen to mainland’s Xiamen port with about 50 tourists on
board, even though mainland authorities have declined to give the trip an
official endorsement.
But Ho Chin-liang, owner of the
ship, said he was confident that the scheduled sailing will succeed.
“I have obtained an agreement on the matter during
private talks earlier with Xiamen’s harbor authorities,”
he said.
If everything goes smoothly, the
tourists will arrive at Xiamen at noon today and return on Jan. 3 via the
same ship, he said.
Ho said he had planned to set sail
on Jan. 8, but later decided to alter the schedule because he believes it
is a bad omen if there is no ship heading for the mainland on the first
day of the opening of the “mini three links.”
Demilitarizing the situation for
both sides that “mini three links” is a very good start in mutual
cross-strait restraint.
But, we are trying to convince the
international community that they are doing something about democratic
Taiwan.
The final resolution of
cross-strait political issues must be based on the gradual
promotion of exchanges and
dialogue to increase bilateral interaction and understanding in an
environment of mutual stability and peace. Thereby
normalizing cross-strait relations and paving the way for a joint,
handling of the “one China” issue in the future.
Under WTO’s pressure, that both
sides must do something in reducing tension.
PRC leaders should
understand Taiwan democratic situation. How to let Taiwanese people accept
the “one country, two systems’ formula” under which Hong Kong and
Macau returned to China’s rule, that only government could decide it,
but also whole people’s will.
Following the “1992 consensus”
the concept that Taiwan is part of China and the mainland is part of
China. So, “special state-to-state” is expressed by former President
Lee that paved the way for “one China, two governments”.
We don’t understand that Beijing
insists under its “one China” policy with Taiwan, despite 51 years of
de facto independent rule, is an inalienable part of its territory and
must be brought back under mainland rule.
In our view, China’s reluctance
to communicate with Taiwan on the matter was because the mainland
leadership does not want to appear to be softening its stance on the
“one China” issues.
However, Taiwan, playing a key
role in U.S., defense in the Pacific Ocean, not only has developed a long
profound friendship with the United States but also has accomplished
astonishing progress in democracy and economics.
Because of the different
approaches to cross-strait issues and difference in opinion regarding
“one China”, the two sides are facing a dilemma.
“Any changes to Taiwan’s
present status quo must have the assent of the people of Taiwan.”
“My administration is now working hard on how to
respond to Beijing’s ‘one China principle’ and to forge a new
framework for bilateral engagement,”
President Chen said (Dec. 12, 2000).
Beijing must express its
good gesture to Taiwanese people and give a hand to “pro-independent
party” in Taiwan.
Taiwan always needs your help.
Yours Sincerely,
Yang Hsu-Tung.
President
Taiwan Tati Cultural
And Educational
Foundation |