Sat, Mar 05, 2005 page1

• MAC hails Hu Jintao's comments on Chen's `four noes'

  • By Joy Su / STAFF REPORTER
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  Chinese President Hu Jintao's (胡錦濤) comments on President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) recent reiteration of his "four noes" can be seen as the first exchange of dialogue between the two leaders, Mainland Affairs Council Vice Chairman Chiu Tai-san (邱太三) said yesterday.

  While Chiu said that Hu's speech yesterday did not seem to delineate any new ideas or policies, he pointed out that Hu's specific reference to the "four noes" was unprecedented since Chen first made the pledge in 2000.

  The "four noes" refer to Chen's pledge to refrain from declaring independence, changing the nation's title, pushing for the inclusion of the state-to-state description of cross-strait relations in the Constitution and promoting a referendum to change the status quo on independence or unification during his term in office.

  "We hope that Taiwan's leaders really carry out reiterations made on Feb. 24 of the `four noes and one not' and promise not to move toward de jure independence through constitutional reform. We hope that actions will express to the world that these are not empty words that can be spoken whenever one pleases," Hu was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua news agency.

  Chen met with People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) on Feb. 24 and later issued a joint statement that reiterated Chen's "four noes."

  Hu's reference to "legal independence," as opposed to the previously used "independence" could be a point worth observing, Chiu said.

  The possible implication of such a change is Beijing's recognition of Taiwan's de facto independence, he said.

  While Chiu noted no particular deviation from Beijing's rhetoric in the past, he said that the speech indicated China's political insistence. He also pointed to China's expressed willingness to increase cooperation on the so-called "softer" issues, such as charter flights and agricultural exchanges.

  "The speech can be seen as `disinfecting' the `anti-secession' law," Chiu said.

  Of interest in Hu's speech yesterday was his reference to "new and positive factors" in cross-strait ties. Chiu refrained from speculating as to which events Hu could be referring to, saying only that it could be any number of events.

  The council urged, in an official statement in response to Hu's speech, for China to back its rhetoric with action.

  "We call on China to call a halt to all actions that destroy cross-strait peace and stability. We hope that concrete action will prove China's willingness to actively improve ties. Otherwise, the responsibility of destroying cross-strait ties and the harm this brings to regional stability lies solely with China," the statement said, citing Beijing's proposed anti-secession law.

  Hu's speech came on the eve of the first day of a session of China's National People's Congress. The parliament is slated to deliberate the anti-secession bill which Taiwan views as an unnecessary hurdle to improved relations.

  "No matter what Chinese authorities say to mask the motivations behind the anti-secession law, the law still destroys the status quo, limits Taiwan's democratic development, and harms regional peace and stability," the council said in a statement yesterday.

  "China stresses its willingness to resolve cross-strait problems peacefully, but it has stood in the way of rational communication and negotiation."

  The statement was a response to China's assurances yesterday, as reported by Xinhua, that the bill was not a "law on the use of force against Taiwan."

  In a statement in response to Hu's comments, Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) said that the Chinese government should pay attention to the opinion of the Taiwanese people, a majority of whom oppose the law. He added that the "four noes" will continue to guide the government's cross-strait policy.
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