Taiwan's opposition emboldened by vote
Taiwan's main opposition Nationalist Party, reinvigorated after an election
victory, offered Wednesday to help the pro-independence president, Chen Shui-bian,
break a stalemate in relations with rival China.
The offer came after China gave a measured response to Taiwan's legislative
vote - in which the independence-leaning governing party suffered a surprise
defeat - but warned that Chen's push for formal independence would exacerbate
tensions.
The nationalist leader, Lien Chan, who favors closer ties with China, called
for talks with Chen's Democratic Progressive Party on finding a formula for
peace acceptable to both Taipei and Beijing.
"The DPP, with its de-Sinification measures and Taiwan independence ideology,
is unable to resolve and improve relations between the two sides," Lien
told a party meeting.
"Now that a majority in Parliament has emerged, we should seize the opportunity
to show our capability and strength to promote cross-Strait relations,"
said Lien, whose party ruled Taiwan for more than 50 years after losing a
civil war in China.
His comments came a day after Chen stepped down as his party's chairman to
take the blame for the election defeat. A Nationalist-led opposition had won
51 percent of the chamber's 225 seats against the Democratic Progressive Party
bloc's 45 percent.
"Seeking peace, stability and development is still the mainstream popular
will in Taiwan society," Li Weiyi, spokesman for the policy-making Taiwan
Affairs Office, said in China's first official reaction to the elections.
He warned that Chen's push for formal independence would exacerbate tensions.
Chen had turned the campaign into a debate on the issue of Taiwan's identity.
China claims that the self-ruled, democratic island is part of its territory
to be brought back to the fold, by force if necessary.
Many security analysts see the Taiwan Strait as one of the most dangerous
flashpoints in Asia. Chen said China had more than 600 missiles pointed at
Taiwan. Asked if the election results would ease tensions, Chinese officials
said it would hinge on the future stand of Taiwan authorities and whether
they halt their push for statehood.
Source: IHT
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