Taiwan Today

Now is not the time for Taipei and Beijing to enter into negotiations over a peace treaty, according to Premier Wu Den-yih Nov. 20. “Cross-strait peace talks cannot be conducted until a consensus has been reached in Taiwan,” Wu said, adding that such negotiations were impossible without stronger public support. “A win-win solution is only in the offing if Beijing faces the reality of divided rule in the strait and treats Taiwan with parity and dignity.” Wu said Beijing must do more to back Taipei’s efforts at seeking greater international space and dismantle its missiles targeting Taiwan. “The mainland has to make an important gesture such as scaling back its escalating military threat against Taiwan,” he said. “This will help promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.” “But the first step for both sides is to accumulate more good will and mutual trust on cross-strait economic issues such as the inking of the proposed economic cooperation framework agreement.” As to the nation’s bid for more international space, Wu believes that Taiwan’s participation in international organizations should be on the agenda for discussion between Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation and its mainland’s counterpart, the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait. “In this way, mutual trust between Taipei and Beijing can be fostered and Taiwan’s efforts to expand participation in the international community can proceed without fear of being thwarted.” Concerning the Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council’s role in the government’s cross-strait policy, Wu said the MAC plays a dual role of policy integrator and promoter when it comes to conducting mainland affairs. "The MAC will serve as a gatekeeper and even a brake on the government’s handling of cross-strait affairs." (CYH-JSM) (This article originally appeared in the "United Daily News" Nov. 21, 2009.)