Taiwan premier calls for co-existence with China

TAIPEI - Taiwan Premier Frank Hsieh called for peaceful co-existence with arch-rival China in his first administrative report to parliament on Friday and said reconciliation need not compromise the island's sovereignty.

Hsieh, who took office on February 1, said Taiwan strongly opposed Beijing's formula for reunification under the "one China, two systems" model, and also criticised a proposed anti-secession law set to be approved by the Chinese parliament in March.

Beijing claims sovereignty over the self-ruled, democratic island and has threatened war if it pushed for a permanent split.

"Only after we resolve our internal zero-sum confrontation between political parties in Taiwan can we jointly call for the opposite side to renounce the use of military force," Hsieh said in his report as parliament kicked off a new session.

"Then it will be possible to create a new situation of 'non zero-sum' co-existence in the Taiwan Strait," he said.

The premier said the cabinet would promote direct cargo flights with the mainland, but said any future talks would be based on an equal footing.

He gave few specifics on how to improve ties in his speech, which covered a wide range of subjects from financial reforms to government restructuring.

In Beijing, China urged Taiwan to open talks on expanding direct passenger charter flights over the Lunar New Year holiday earlier this month to cover more holidays throughout the year, starting with the traditional Chinese Tomb Sweeping Day in April.

Hsieh's speech was in line with the conciliatory tone offered by the administration of President Chen Shui-bian in recent months. On Thursday, Chen pledged not to declare formal statehood and said he was open to any form of political ties with China.

Chen and Hsieh are members of the Democratic Progressive Party, which has a longstanding manifesto on Taiwan independence.

The president's conciliatory approach towards China has come under heavy fire from pro-independence groups, which accused him of losing his ideals and betraying Taiwan.

"What President Chen should do is to lead Taiwan people against the Chinese hegemony, not to shrink one step after another and forget his promise to the Taiwan people," the tiny Taiwan Solidarity Union said.

Hsieh rejected the criticism, saying the government had not backed away from defending Taiwan's sovereignty.

"Peaceful coexistence with mainland China does not contradict our pursuit for Taiwan's sovereign identity," he said

- REUTERS