KMT downplays urgency of China talks

Neither Taiwan nor China are in a rush to open political dialogue, and China's leadership is well aware that the conditions are not rightfor such talks, KMT Vice Chairman John Chiang said in an address atthe Heritage Foundation in Washington D.C.

The issue of political talks with China came to the fore last November after Ma floated the idea of a peace pact and has remained in circulation since his re election on Jan. 14.

However, Ma has stressed that the signing of a peace accord would be premised on public support, national needs and legislative supervision.

Considering that 32 percent of those who voted for Ma endorsed his cross-Taiwan Strait approach while a mere 9 percent of those who voted for his main challenger Tsai Ing-wen backed her proposals, it is clear that the people of Taiwan favor stable relations with China, Chiang said, citing an unnamed poll.

The president's China policies are based on a tacit cross-strait understanding that the KMT says was reached in 1992 that there is only “one China,” with each side free to interpret what that means.

However, Tsai of the Democratic Progressive Party said in her presidential campaign that the “1992 Consensus” does not exist and she proposed instead a “Taiwan Consensus” that would be reached through a democratic process.

Chiang said in his speech that with Ma's election to a second term, democratic development in Taiwan is now on a steadier course for the next four years, and Ma's insistence on “no unification, no independence and no use of force” in dealing with China will ensure continued stability in Taiwan's relations with China.

He forecast that Xi Jinping, who is to succeed Chinese Presiden tHu Jintao later this year, will follow Hu's approach on ties with Taiwan — using the carrot rather than the stick.

The current situation of China refraining from threatening Taiwan and both sides shelving their disputes in favor of a win-win relationship will continue, he said.

Asked whether he thinks the DPP will adjust its approach toward China and its proposed “Taiwan consensus,” Chiang said he expects the opposition party to make some changes but is not sure if that will happen within the next four years.

Chiang is in the U.S. to attend the 60th National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday.

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