Q & A: Taiwan discusses security concerns

Taiwan Premier Minister Chang Chun-hsiung's official written response to questions submitted by CNN.

Q: China is pressing the Bush administration not to sell Aegis systems and other high-tech weapon systems to Taiwan. Why does Taiwan need these systems?

A: It is our duty to safeguard peace, security, and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. In recent years, China has engaged in a massive military build-up and has increased the number of short- and medium-range guided missiles, upsetting the military balance in the Taiwan Strait. Obtaining high-tech systems will increase our defense capabilities and help to improve regional security and stability.

Q: Does your government want to see Taiwan come under a US missile defense shield?

A: Maintaining national security depends on a country's defensive strength, which in turn is essential to safeguard national sovereignty. Therefore, whether we should participate in the theater missile defense system is not the real question. Rather, we should determine whether there is a need for this missile defense system and the reason for establishing it. If the answer is yes, then we should establish a defense system that logically matches our country's military requirements, in accordance with the subjective and objective environment.

Whether the United States will include Taiwan in the theater missile defense system in the Asia-Pacific region involves the interaction of the China, the United States, Japan, and Taiwan. It is a political issue and the United States has the right of initiative. Currently, the U.S. is still studying and testing the system. In the future, even if the U.S. invites us to join the TMD system and we need to join the system, we still must form a consensus among the people on Taiwan before making a final decision.

Q: How big is China's threat to Taiwan?

A: To date, China has deployed about 300 short-range guided missiles, and the number is expected to increase in the future.

During the Taiwan's presidential campaign from 1995 to 1996, China conducted two missile tests near our territory. Such intimidation was not only a direct threat to our national security, but it also had a serious impact on our society and economy, particularly on our currency exchange rate. It left a traumatic memory in the minds of Taiwan residents. With its small size and high population density, Taiwan has not set up a missile defense system to protect the whole island. A missile attack from China is a very serious threat to us.

Q: Are you worried that a U.S. decision to give Taiwan the weapons it wants will provoke Beijing and trigger a new cross-strait crisis?

A: Our request to purchase necessary defensive military equipment each year from the U.S. is the result of the China's unceasing military expansion and its constant refusal to renounce the use of force against Taiwan.

China's goal is clearly revealed by its recent military build-up, increase in military spending, and rapid expansion of naval, air, and missile forces. We have carefully evaluated the situation in the Taiwan Strait and our national security requirements to determine the defensive weapons necessary for us to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability. We are not engaging in an arms race with China. Quite the contrary, we are only increasing our defenses to protect our national security.

Q: What is your assessment of Mr. Qian Qichen's visit to the U.S. and his talks with senior U.S. officials, including President George W. Bush?

A: Because Beijing is not very familiar with the new U.S. government and its policies, Mr. Qian's visit to the U.S. is an attempt to explore Washington's attitude toward Beijing. In addition, it wishes to prepare for the visit of President Bush and his participation in the October 2001 APEC Economic Leaders meeting (to be held) on China.

We expect Mr. Qian to exchange views on bilateral relations and regional and global issues with U.S. officials. We also expect that the situation in the Taiwan Strait and U.S. military sales will be among the major topics to be discussed.

President Bush has repeatedly emphasized that the U.S. regards China as a "strategic competitor," and not a "strategic partner." He has reviewed U.S. differences with Beijing, while maintaining the commitments to Taiwan stated in the Taiwan Relations Act.

In his testimony to Congress, Secretary of State Colin Powell praised Taiwan's democratic accomplishments and declared that the US would definitely not allow Taiwan's status to change without open, free, and balanced communication between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. He insisted that the Taiwan Strait issue should be resolved only with the consent of the people on Taiwan. He also reiterated that the U.S. would honor the security and political promises made in the Taiwan Relations Act and the "Six Assurances."

In his appointment hearing before the Senate, deputy secretary of state nominee Richard Armitage stated that the Bush administration views Taiwan as an "opportunity" rather than an "issue" in Beijing-Washington relations. He also emphasized that, although the US maintains a "one-China" policy, the ultimate solution to the Taiwan Strait issue should be acceptable to the majority of the people on Taiwan.

U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher has reiterated that the U.S. has never consulted with Beijing on military sales to Taiwan and has maintained that the Taiwan-mainland problem should be peacefully resolved over the long term. In addition, the Bush administration has decided to push for a denunciation of China's human rights violations during the annual convention of the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva this month.

These actions show that the Bush administration is directly confronting its differences with Beijing in such areas as human rights and is fulfilling its promises to Taiwan. I believe that US officials will meet Mr. Qian with a serious attitude and will not jeopardize our interests.

President Chen (Shui-bien) has expressed our goodwill on cross-strait issues on a number of occasions. In his New Year's Eve address on December 31, 2000, he called on the governments and leaders of both sides to openly renounce military threats and establish mutual trust by beginning with economic, trade, and cultural integration and then moving to a new framework for a permanent and peaceful political integration. However, Beijing has yet to make a positive response. We again call on Chinese authorities to respect the Taiwan's international activities and respond positively to President Chen's goodwill gestures.

Q: To what extent do you believe that Beijing has softened its rhetoric and offered some flexibility in its position vis-a-vis Taiwan? What is your own suggestion for improving links with Beijing and cooling tension in the Taiwan Strait?

A: On the surface, it seems that Beijing has recently softened its rhetoric; however, Chinese authorities still insist that we accept their definition of "one China." Despite the serious concern of all parties, Beijing has obstructed the resumption of dialogue, and postponed a breakthrough in cross-strait relations by unilaterally setting up prerequisites and preconditions.

At the same time, Beijing has continuously expanded its military forces and the number of missiles aimed at Taiwan, while vigorously objecting to our purchase of defensive weapons from any foreign country, thus affecting the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and the Asia-Pacific region.

Since the new administration took office, the primary goal of its mainland policy has always been to stabilize cross-strait relations. We have openly demonstrated our sincerity to improve cross-strait relations with China through many exchanges. We have opened the "Three Small Links" on Kinmen and Matsu, allowed mainland reporters to be stationed on Taiwan, planned the "Three Direct Links," and relaxed restrictions (previously known as the "patience over haste" policy) regarding Taiwan investment on China. However, none of these measures has generated any positive response from Beijing.

As both Taiwan and China will soon enter the World Trade Organization, interactions between all sectors of both sides will further increase. We hope that Beijing will immediately resume dialogue with us and reinstate formal negotiations between the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS). This will not only benefit the people on both sides, but also set a good foundation for positive interaction.

Q: How frustrated is your government by Beijing's strategy of engaging in dialogue with the opposition, the business community, the media, almost anyone, it seems, but the Taiwan government itself?

A: Since the establishment of the new government, the Beijing authorities have certainly made great efforts to draw Taiwan's legislators, opposition parties, and businessmen over to their side in an attempt to put pressure on the relevant policies of the new government. By employing such methods, however, the Beijing authorities are not only obtaining one-sided information, but will also be unable to truly understand the feelings of the majority of the people in the Taiwan area. Furthermore, such actions are counterproductive to practical resolutions of cross-strait issues.

Realistically, it is impossible to completely circumvent the government while promoting cross-strait affairs or planning appropriate policies with the mainland. Stable cross-strait relations require normal interaction and exchanges between the two sides, none of which can be achieved without both sides exercising their respective governmental powers. We sincerely hope that dialogue and negotiations can quickly be resumed through the established channels to resolve disputes and develop friendlier relations.

Q: When will the "Three Direct Links" be established with China after the "Three Small Links" earlier this year?

A: Taiwan's general attitude regarding the "Three Direct Links" will be based on the development of cross-strait relations following the entry of both sides into the World Trade Organization. The "Three Direct Links" is a very significant issue, and thus the two sides cannot avoid discussing it. Therefore, while promoting the "Three Small Links" between China and the Taiwan's offshore islands of Kinmen and Matsu, we will also begin to review and evaluate the possible implementation of the "Three Direct Links."

Evaluation and planning for the "Three Direct Links" require careful deliberation, as these links will have profound and far-reaching effects. Therefore, the execution of these links must be done objectively while continuously assessing our ability to manage the various risks at different stages.

In particular, direct transportation links involve a multitude of issues that will require detailed consultation by both sides. Thus, we sincerely hope that the two sides can resume formal dialogue as soon as possible, as this would not only be beneficial for resolving issues relating to direct transportation, but would also more quickly reinstate formal consultation in other areas.

Q: Are you concerned that economic engagement with the mainland will lead to the "hollowing out" of Taiwan's economy? Are you worried about the relocation of high-tech Taiwan companies to the mainland?

A: Considering Taiwan's industrial development and the cross-strait division of labor, the government can fully understand that Taiwan businesses are making investments on China to improve their competitiveness and global logistics capabilities, effectively using the mainland's human resources and market. The original emphasis of the government's "patience over haste" policy was for businesses to "keep their roots in Taiwan." This policy was formed on the basis of a national consensus and had positive effects on stabilizing Taiwan's economy by avoiding excessive business relocation.

The globalization of the world economy will enable businesses to effectively integrate resources within the economic system and create higher added value. To pursue higher-level economic development, the government has proposed the program of a "knowledge-based economy" and the "global logistics development plan," and has established specific measures to upgrade traditional industries. The government will also improve the local investment environment to ensure balanced industrial development and encourage businesses to "keep their roots in Taiwan."

Regarding our policy on Taiwan business investment on China, the government will make necessary adjustments according to business globalization strategy, while ensuring that Taiwan maintains sovereignty in economic development. The "patience over haste" policy is now under review and evaluation.

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