Government Information Office Minister Johnny Chi-chen Chiang said in New York July 12 that cross-Taiwan Strait relations have already shifted from confrontation to reconciliation since President Ma Ying-jeou assumed office in 2008.
Speaking in separate meetings with Time magazine and The Wall Street Journal, Chiang noted that the standoff between the two sides has been replaced by cooperation and that cross-strait relations have been steadily becoming more stable under Ma's administration. He added that this has been conducive to peace in the Asia-Pacific region.
Asked whether mainland China has attempted to obstruct Taiwan's attempts to sign free trade agreements with its trading partners, Chiang said that while Beijing has real political influence, the development of more stable cross-strait ties should reduce the island's difficulties in working to ink free trade accords with other countries.
Asked about the possibility of Taiwan accepting the "one country, two systems" Hong Kong model for eventual reunification with the mainland, Chiang stated that Taiwan is a full democracy where citizens directly elect their president and representatives. Pointing out that Taiwan's ecopolitical situation and history are different from Hong Kong's, the GIO head said accepting the "one country, two systems" model is not an option.
On U.S. arms sales to the island, Chiang said Taiwan firmly believes that strong national defenses are needed so that the island's citizens can be confident when engaging in dialogue and negotiations with the mainland.
Chiang arrived in New York July 10 for a four-day visit, during which he was scheduled to meet with the local press and think tanks. Before heading for Washington D.C. July 15, the minister will give a talk at the invitation of the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs and the Overseas Press Club of America. (Source: Taiwan Today, Jul 14, 2010).