ROC-U.S. ties will be smoothed: envoy

Wu made the remarks during an interview with a Washington-based journalist of Al Jazeera English, a 24-hour English-language news TV channel headquartered in Doha, Qatar. The interview is slated to be aired Oct. 12.

Despite the absence of official diplomatic ties between Taiwan and the U.S., Wu said that he has smooth communication channels with U.S. government officials and lawmakers.

Although he is not allowed to enter the State Department, the White House, or other federal institutions, he can still meet U.S. officials in other places, Wu added.

During the past six months since he took up the post, Wu admitted that Taiwan and the U.S. have “occasionally differed on certain political issues.”

Describing both countries as “free and democratic, “ Wu said he believes that sincere communication will eventually smooth the differences between the two sides.

Offering his appreciation to President George W. Bush for mentioning Taiwan’s free democracy in his speeches delivered in Sydney, Kyoto and the Czech Republic, Wu said the government appreciates the great contribution the U.S. has made in the past to Taiwan’s democracy and prosperity.

Wu also said he hopes Taiwan-U.S. relations can be furthered in the future.

He called on the U.S. to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Taiwan as soon as possible,saying that Taiwan is America’s ninth-largest trading partner and the fifth-largest importer of U.S. agricultural products.

A Taiwan-U.S. FTA would increase bilateral trade relations and help U.S.companies further develop their markets in Taiwan, according to Wu.

Noting that some of his job challenges come from China’s oppression, Wu said Beijing often interferes with Taiwan’s invitations to U.S. lawmakers, governors and other officials to visit Taiwan.

On the one hand, China claims Taiwan as part of China, while on the other, it treats Taiwan as an enemy, Wu went on.

Wu also urged the U.S. to lift a ban on high-ranking Taiwanese officials visiting Washington, D.C. as soon as possible.

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