by
Martin Banks
He spoke positively of improvements in the relationship between Taiwan and mainland China - but emphasised the importance of ongoing efforts to ensure this continued. He said, "It is in the interests of both sides to make sure this continues but it is also in the interests of the international community, including right here in Europe, as well." "We remain very much committed to maintaining peace and stability both in the Taiwan Strait and across the region," he told the audience.
His comments come amid current security concerns in Asian geopolitics and with relations in the Taiwan strait remaining in a state of "cold peace" or "hardening stalemate." After decades of hostile intentions and angry rhetoric, relations between China and Taiwan started improving in the 1980s. China put forward a formula, known as "one country, two systems", under which Taiwan would be given significant autonomy if it accepted Chinese reunification. The offer was rejected, but Taiwan did relax rules on visits to and investment in China. It also, in 1991, proclaimed the war with the People's Republic of China over.
While China is becoming a rule maker in geopolitics, Taiwan has made considerable achievements in democracy, freedom, rule of law and human rights. The US is still probably Taiwan's most important friend. The relationship, forged during World War Two and the Cold War, underwent its sternest test in 1979, when President Jimmy Carter ended US diplomatic recognition of Taiwan in order to concentrate on burgeoning ties with China.
But, said the deputy minister, the EU is an equally important player and it, like the rest of the world, can benefit from continuing good relations between Taiwan and China. In a wide ranging speech, he also highlighted the importance of human rights and the role of democracy in Taiwan's development over the years. He said there had been an "upsurge in awareness" of such issues in recent years and that Taiwan as "very proud" of its record both on human rights and in promoting democracy.
"What we are seeking is to continue to promote the peaceful and stable development of cross strait relations." The two sides, he said, need to pursue this goal together. This was particularly important in an unstable world, as had been demonstrated most recently by the nuclear tests in North Korea.
During his short visit to the Belgian capital, the deputy minister also met politicians and leading academics although the conference, at Brussels' press club, was his only public appearance. Taiwan's representative in Brussels, Tseng Ho-Jen, also spoke at the conference, in the PressClub Brussels-Europe, and said the meeting was "timely."
It comes just ahead of the big party congress in China, the big annual gathering of the country's political elite.
By: N. Peter Kramer
