Strong cross-strait ties benefit all: Rumsfeld

“The (improving) cross-strait ties have proven to be a good thing for Taiwan and contribute to a better understanding of Taiwan's free political system and democratic system on the Chinese visitors' part,” said Rumsfeld during a luncheon speech.

The ex-U.S. secretary of defense made the comment in response a question about whether the American government is concerned regarding Taiwan's growing economic reliance on China over the past years, due to warming bilateral ties.

In response, Rumsfeld said he has noted the enormous interaction between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China (PRC) with visitors from both sides coming back and forth for pleasure or business purposes.

But he stressed that there is no need to be fearful on the part of Taiwan, a democratic society, with the increasing relations.

“My view is that the people with authoritarian systems ought to fear the idea of freedom much more than people from free systems need to fear the idea of authoritarian system,” he said.

He noted that the warming relationship will prove to be beneficial to Taiwan, other countries in the region and the PRC as well, since it will contribute to a better understanding of the enormous advantages of free political economic systems.

However, the 80-year-old retired American politician reiterated the heart of his doctrine that is a belief in “peace through strength.”

Taiwan needs to be able to defend itself, since there is an awareness that peace requires strength, that weakness is provocative and aggression must be deterred, he noted.

Rumsfeld made the remarks during a luncheon in Taipei in which he delivered a speech entitled “21st Century Challenges in the Pacific and Beyond.”

Arms Sale a Manifestation of Commitment

During his speech, Rumsfeld, who has served twice as U.S. secretary of defense, first in the 1970s, and later under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2006, highlighted the importance of Taiwan's role in the Asian region, and the crucial need to maintain peace across the Taiwan Strait.

As a democracy, Taiwan provides a model for Asia and mainland China, where a billion people are denied the right to choose their form of government and the people who govern them, he said.

However, the growing military imbalance tilting in favor of the PRC poses great challenges to Taiwan.

To help Taiwan defend itself, the recent decision made by the Obama administration to proceed with the long-delayed F-16 modernization program was a manifestation of that U.S. responsibility to abide by the Taiwan Relations Act, Rumsfeld said.

Meanwhile, on the economic front, Rumsfeld also said that the U.S. should extend free trade agreements to its Asian partners, including Taiwan, following the recent example with South Korea.

Rumsfeld was here to attend the Centenary Celebrations of the Republic of China Monday. He also met President Ma Ying-jeou earlier yesterday in the Presidential Office and received an Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon to commemorate his contribution to bilateral ties.

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