The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has extended an invitation to People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (
During an interview taped Friday with the TVBS news station, Chen Yunlin (陳雲林), the director of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, invited Soong to visit China in his role as PFP chairman. He did not specify a time for when Soong should visit.
The previous invitation from Jia Qinglin (
"Since the founding of the PFP, it has been staunchly against Taiwanese independence and has recognized the `1992 consensus.' Over the years it has facilitated cross-strait interactions and advocated the establishment of three direct transportation links," Chen said. "It has done many things to increase communication between both sides of the Strait and in various other areas."
"In his invitation [to Lien], Jia was also extending the invitation to any other political party chairman who recognize the `1992 consensus' and oppose Taiwan's independence. We welcome the PFP to form a delegation and come to China on a visit. At the same time, we also welcome Mr. James Soong, in his capacity as PFP chairman, to come to China at a time that he finds suitable," he added.
Chen's interview echoed an a statement he had made on Friday, in which he also indicated that Jia's invitation to Lien was also open to Soong.
The original invitation to Lien was made by Jia when he was meeting with the KMT delegation to China, headed by KMT Vice Chairman Chiang Pin-kun (
The PFP issued a statement yesterday saying it had no comment on the invitation.
However, in a text message sent to the media yesterday, the PFP said that the invitation from Jia was confirmation of Soong's efforts to steer the Democratic Progressive Party away from its independence leanings.
The PFP has always used a humble and pragmatic approach cross-strait relations efforts, the statement said.
The PFP also praised the 10-point consensus Soong and President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) reached in late February. They also praised the "four points" laid out by Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) in his March 4 speech as "a voice of pragmatism and reason" in the current cross-strait political situation.
The agreement hammered out by the KMT and the CCP during their recent trip to China did not go outside the boundaries of the Chen-Soong consensus, the text message said.
Chen and Soong agreed in their consensus that the Republic of China represented "common ground" and reiterated Chen's "four noes" pledge. Hu's March 4 speech stated China's adherence to its "one China" principle and opposition to Taiwan's independence.
The PFP feels that the most important matter at hand is to establish an institutional basis for cross-strait peace by finishing the legislative procedures needed to pass the "Taiwan Peace Law," the message said.
At the legislature yesterday, PFP caucus whip Chen Chih-bin (
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