Stop cross-strait war over recognition: Ma

He was cited by the United Evening News as saying in India that Taipei and Beijing should consider a “cease-fire” for their expensive war to undermine each other’s diplomatic ties.

He said Taiwan is no longer rich enough to fight the diplomatic war, while China probably also thinks that it is not worth spending so much money on such diplomatic wrangling, according to the paper.

“I don’t expect mutual recognition between both sides of the strait, but I hope we can have mutual non-denial,” Ma was cited by the paper as saying.

He admitted that China is narrowing the definition of “one China” but he said both sides should work from the “1992 consensus,” a platform allowing future negotiations to be handled on a case-by-case basis.

The consensus, according to the main opposition party, refers to an unofficial agreement reached in 1992 between Taipei and Beijing that both sides can disagree on the meaning of “one China.”

Ma said both sides should tolerate differences, and allow flexibility.

He said in 1992 he proposed the idea that aviation links between Taiwan and China were neither international nor domestic, but at the same time they were both international and domestic.

More than a decade later, Qian Qichen, as China’s foreign minister, picked up the idea and described cross-strait flights as “special routes,” Ma said.

Ma arrived in India Tuesday for a two-day visit to exchange views on economic and information technology industry cooperation, the Central News Agency said.

He reached a consensus during a meeting with Indian Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dayanidhi Maran and Minister of Commerce and Industry Kamal Nath on the need to enhance cooperation in the information technology field.

He said India’s prominence in computer software industry can complement Taiwan’s excellent computer hardware industry.

He also gave a speech titled “The Role of Taiwan’s Economy in Regional and International Environment” at the Indian Council of World Affairs, which is the country’s most authoritative unofficial think tank.

Ma’s staff was cited by CNA as reiterating in the speech that Taiwan should ease cross-Taiwan Strait tension and reinforce international cooperation.

Ma later told Taiwanese journalists who accompanied him on the trip that India’s incumbent and former foreign affairs officials were present at his speech.

Chinese, American, Russian and Indian reporters also attended.

Ma also said Taiwan should consider operating flights serving the route between Taiwan and Chennai, which is India’s technology stronghold and a stronghold for Taiwanese businessmen, to bring convenience for future cooperation.

He expressed hope that his two-day visit will contribute to bilateral relations.

For the second day, Ma was scheduled to meet with India’s ruling Congress Party leader Karan Singh, and with Rajnath Singh, chairman of the largest opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.

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