Wang made the remarks after Beijing officials made the statements that Taiwan is not qualified for membership in the U.N.’s specialized agencies.

There are certainly obstacles on the road of expanding Taiwan’s place in the world community, but the government will continue pressing ahead on the policy.

Taiwan renewed its bid to enter the U.N. Aug. 14 by submitting a proposal to the U.N. Secretariat through its allies, calling for the world body to reconsider at the Sept. 16 U.N. General Assembly the feasibility of Taiwan’s meaningful participation in U.N. specialized agencies. The U.N. posted Taiwan’s proposal to participate in the world body along with a letter written by Wang Guangya, U.N. permanent representative of the People’s Republic of China, on the Web site of the U.N. Journal.

In the letter dated Aug. 18, Wang noted that relations between Taiwan and China have shown “a good momentum of improvement and development” since March, thanks to concerted efforts on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and that both sides should continue to work on further peaceful development.

“Under the new circumstances, we will firmly adhere to the theme of peaceful development in cross-strait relations, and will continue to enhance our exchanges and cooperation in all areas,” Wang said.

However, Wang also told the U.N. that by raising the so-called proposal on “Taiwan’s participation in the activities of U.N. specialized agencies,” was intended to create “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan,” which is firmly opposed by the Chinese government and people because the U.N. and its specialized agencies are intergovernmental organizations composed only of sovereign states and as a part of China, Taiwan is not a sovereign state.

Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang also said, “As everyone knows, the U.N. and its specialized agencies are organizations made up of the governments of sovereign nations.”

“There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China,” he told reporters.

In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) released a statement in Taipei reiterating that the basic rights of the people of the Republic of China to participate in international organizations and activities should be respected.

“The ministry thinks Taiwan’s participation in the international community will have positive effects on the consolidation of the peaceful development of cross-strait relations,” the press release said.

An MOFA spokesman also said that the ministry will continue working toward the goal of joining more international organizations because it is a long-term goal.

The opposition Democratic Progressive Party interpreted the statements from Beijing officials as a slap in the face of the government led by President Ma Ying-jeou.

Wang, Ma’s spokesman, added that President Ma made it clear in his inaugural address that the government will enter consultations with mainland China over Taiwan’s international space and a possible cross-strait peace accord.

“Taiwan doesn’t just want security and prosperity, but also dignity and only when Taiwan is no longer being isolated in the international arena can cross-strait relations move forward with confidence. The two sides to pursue reconciliation and truce in both cross-strait and international arenas,” Wang quoted Ma’s remarks.

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