Dear Mr. President Bill Clinton,
　　 Mr. Trent Lott,
　　 Mr. Denny Hastert,
　　 Mr. Secretary-General Javier Solana,

More than 70 percent of Taiwanese agree with President Lee Teng-hui's categorization of "special state-to-state" relations with China while many also think the Kuomintang (KMT) is the best party to handle Cross-Strait ties.

A survey by the Chinese Association for Eurasian Studies, a private think-tank, found that 73.3 percent of 1,103 people polled agreed with Lee's redefinition of Cross-Strait relations while 17.3 percent disagreed.

Asked whether they think the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China is the same country, 86.9 percent of those polled said yes, with 6.2 percent saying no. An overwhelming majority --- 94.4 percent --- also disputed that Taiwan is a province of China.

On whether Lee's statement contribute to Taiwan's foreign policy developments, 67.8 percent said it had little effect. Of the respondents, 79 percent agreed Taiwan should continue developing diplomatic ties with other countries despite the possibility of exacerbating tension with China.

Taiwan followed U.S. way of democratic system to prove Taiwan is a sovereign country. It is unfortunately that certain international media outlets have been echoing China's view, as if the great authoritarian nuclear power has been made victim by the small island's democratically elected president.

Taiwan was forced out of the United Nations in 1971, and led Taiwan into the international isolation it now continue to face. The Beijing government started to lead a crusade to force the international community to adopt a new myth; "Taiwan is part of China, and the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government." A myth is no base for mutual trust or confidence, and it is unrealistic to expect Taiwan to proceed with negotiations on an agenda that is based on a myth defined unilaterally by China.

China has continued to insist Taiwan must give up its sovereignty and enter into political negotiations. While Taiwan, recognizing that the issue of sovereignty raises only disagreements and may well become a stumbling block to resolving other more urgent and practical matters, has opted for talks on functional issues.

Apparently, President Lee's new policy indicates that Taiwan is willing to engage in political talks --- China's agenda. This is an expression of sincerity and should be welcomed by the Chinese. China has asked for political talks, and a political position is exactly what President Lee offered. What he has presented is a mere statement of reality that serves as a starting point for talks. On the other hand, President Lee's state-to-state is the only way for Taiwanese that people can accept.