Dear Mrs. Madeleine Korbel Albright,
　　 Mr. Trent Lott,
　　 Mr. Denny Hastert,
　 　Mr. Prime Minister John Howard,
　　 Mr. Secretary-General Javier Solana,

"Under such special nation-to-nation relations, there is no longer any need to declare Taiwanese independence" Lee Teng-hui, President of the Republic of China said that (July 10, 1999). Defying China's claim of sovereignty over Taiwan, President Lee Teng-hui has defined the island's relations with Beijing as "special nation-to-nation relations". The comments, made in an interview on German radio, are the strongest Lee has made against China's claim that the island is a province of China, Taiwan people are hearing the truth on President's announcement.

For years, Taiwan has refrained from calling itself a nation for fear of raising suspicious in Beijing that the island is moving toward independence. China has threatened to use force against Taiwan should it declare independence.

"Since we made over constitutional reform in 1991," Lee told the voice of Germany radio on Friday. " We have redefined Cross-Strait relations as nation-to-nation, or at least as special nation-to-nation relations." "Under such special nation-to-nation relations, there is no longer any need to declare Taiwanese independence," Lee said.

It also quoted Lee as saying Beijing "has totally ignored historical and legal facts" in claiming Taiwan to be a renegade province. Lee also urged China to "proceed with democratic reforms at an early date to create better conditions for democratic reunification" with Taiwan. "This will be Taiwan's new positioning in its ties with mainland China." Lin Pi-chao, deputy secretary general to the office of the president said.

Regarding the Taiwan issue, even though Chinese Premier Zhu Rongi demanded that Taiwan be excluded from the Japan-U.S. security system, Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi affirmed his consistent stance and reasserted that Japan does not "support or take any action for Taiwan independence." He added, "the Cross-Strait dispute should be resolved peacefully by the Chinese people." His statement showed that the Japanese government has developed a more independent and mature foreign policy since the revision of the U.S.-Japan Defense Guidelines.

Obuchi's remarks to his Chinese hosts suggest a maturing attitude by Japan in its management of ties with China in the wake of amendments to the U.S.-Japan Defense Guidelines. Japan has long failed to play an international political role appropriate for a nation of its giant economic status.

But its new defense guidelines and Obuchi's posture in Beijing suggest a sound shift in policy and in the nation's efforts to safeguard security and peace in East Asia.

Those efforts should be encouraged in the days and years ahead, particularly in regional security and economic and cultural exchanges, to contribute to stability in East Asia. So that the 21st century will not be as troubled as this one.

It is always a trouble maker that mainland Chinese Cross-Strait negotiator Tang Shubei said yesterday (July 10, 1999) reiterated Beijing's view that all talks with Taiwan must take peace under the "one China" principle and implied that any deviation could be dangerous. Beijing's negotiation is a "tactics" that including many unfair preconception.

Taipei, July 10 ---
Mainland Chinese President Jiang Zemin has ordered the formation of a task force to prepare for talks with the Dalai Lama that following five point dialogue basis. The five points are as follows:
The Dalai Lama and his followers are welcome to return to mainland China to settle or visit at any time
--- If the Dalai Lama returns, he will enjoy the same political treatment he enjoyed
prior to 1959, the year he and his followers fled to northern India after mainland
Chinese troops invasion of Tibet;
--- The Dalai Lama may return to Tibet for a visit, but he must live in Beijing;
--- It is up to the Dalai Lama to determine when he will come back to mainland
China, but before he decides to return, he must make a brief statement to
international news media, the text of which he can decide for himself; and
--- Tibetans who fled with the Dalai Lama to northern India in 1959 can freely return
to Tibet to settle or visit.
--- He also proposed this year at a news conference that the Dalai Lama must also
recognize that Taiwan is a province of mainland China.

On above reasons; Taiwan needs your concern.