WEYMOUTH: Many Americans are worried about rising tensions between Taiwan and China. Do you believe you are heading toward inevitable conflict or do you envisage a peaceful solution? CHEN: We want to move in a direction of reconciliation and dialogue. We do not want conflict. We feel it is important to have good will and sincerity, but it cannot only be from one side.
Your party has long stood for Taiwan’s independence, a position that is anathema to Beijing, which considers Taiwan a renegade province. Do you no longer believe a declaration of independence is necessary? We do advocate the right to self-determination, but that is not the same as advocating Taiwanese independence. Our platform says that Taiwan’s independence must be decided by the people of Taiwan [in a referendum]. But as president-elect, I will not initiate a referendum on independence. Unless China invades or uses force, we will not declare Taiwan independence unilaterally.
Beijing has said that, as a precondition for negotiations, Taiwan must accept the “One China” principle–that Taiwan is not a sovereign state, but part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Could you accept that? If “One China” is defined as Taiwan being a province or local government of the PRC, this is not acceptable to the vast majority of people in Taiwan. How can they expect me, as president of this country, to accept Taiwan’s demotion in status to a province?
Under what conditions would you be willing to discuss the One China principle? If the mainland insists that acceptance of One China is a precondition, it will be hard to resume dialogue. We prefer to see One China as an issue that can be discussed [in talks].
Would you like to visit the mainland? I would like to lead a delegation on a friendship visit to the PRC. I also sincerely want to invite China’s leaders to come to Taiwan… But according to newspaper reports, they are not interested in such an invitation.
Do you think Washington has been too favorable to Beijing? We support U.S. efforts to improve its relations with China. We feel that a democratic China will contribute to permanent peace in this region. As we seek to normalize [our] relationship [with China]–especially in the area of business and trade–we are happy to see the U.S. and China improve their economic relations. Therefore, I am willing to approve and support the U.S. normalization of trade relations with the PRC.
Last week it was disclosed that there is a secret Pentagon report that criticizes the preparedness of the Taiwanese military. Do you agree with the report? Taiwan’s military preparedness has improved significantly over the past few years. But, of course, there is also room for improvement, especially in our ability to use high-tech defense equipment. We also need to improve U.S.-Taiwan military cooperation.
Do you plan to continue the same arms-purchasing strategies as the current KMT government? The welfare of the people of Taiwan must not be endangered by a change in government. Therefore, the [annual U.S.-Taiwan arms-sale] talks scheduled for April should not be delayed.
During the election, both Beijing and the ruling KMT claimed that if you won, it would mean war with the mainland. Did this affect the election? The KMT always plays the terror card, threatening people against voting for the opposition. But this time their threats failed to be effective. Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji’s [harsh] statements also failed to intimidate the people.
Your tough stance on corruption was key to your election victory. Is fighting corruption your top priority? This is our mission. But peace with mainland China must be maintained in order for us to institute reforms.
After a poor childhood and a life in the opposition, did you ever expect to be president of Taiwan? It is a very dramatic change. When I lost the 1998 mayoral election, I was very sad. But as my wife has said, maybe it was God’s will to let me lose the mayoral election to give me this opportunity to lead Taiwan into the next century. This is just another of Taiwan’s miracles.
