The Washington Angle: Thoughts from C.J. Chen, ROC Rep to the US

The first thing I want to clarify is that we don't have very high expectations of what people are calling "track two" [indirect, unofficial communication between mainland China and Taiwan through third parties]. Track one [direct, official communication] is by far the most important. However, given that the first track is not open right now, we are happy to see that American think tanks are willing to be a channel for the transmission of information. Although the operation of "track two" is by no means entirely smooth, if it has any impact at all, that's a positive thing. But I have to emphasize that "track two" is not regular in terms of quality, quantity, or form. It's just that we are happy to see any form of communication. For example, after the two sides join the WTO next year, as an international forum the WTO will be another channel by which we can communicate.

As for contacts with American think tanks, as far as Taiwan is concerned, the most important function is to interact with them as pools of informed and capable people. After all, think tank personnel may directly or indirectly influence the formation of American policy.

Given the intense diplomatic maneuvering that is always going on in Washington, I'm very gratified to see that our relations with the US have become closer in recent years. In particular, after the change to a Republican administration last year, our relations have become more positive, as you can see from the treatment President Chen received when he passed through the US this year.

When President Chen had a stopover in Los Angeles last year, the US government set conditions, such as that he not meet with American congressmen, which were certainly unreasonable. But this year, not only was he allowed to stay over in New York for a longer period than in LA, he also met with American congressmen, think tank scholars, local leaders, and business leaders. The US side was not only considerate with regard to President Chen's security and comfort during the stopover, but the itinerary showed great respect for Taiwan's wishes.

In addition, you can also see how our relations with the US have become closer in recent years in terms of nongovernmental contacts. For example, in 2000, there were 274 flights per week between the US and Taiwan, and the two sides concluded more than 100 bilateral agreements. And Taiwan is one of the countries that has the greatest number of American chain stores like McDonalds and Starbucks.

These kinds of non-governmental ties, combined with the web being woven gradually at the official level, create a solid foundation for the relations between our two countries. I don't see any possibility in the future of a regression in Taiwan-US relations. Our countries are both democracies, with similar values, and our countries operate in a transparent way, so it is easy to identify points of common interest.

I want to reiterate that we do not mind the development of relations between the US and mainland China. We are happy to see them have contacts of any kind whatsoever, so long as such contacts do not affect the survival or interests of Taiwan.

We hope that relations between Taiwan and mainland China will be peaceful and that dialogue can be resumed. We do not want an arms race. The policy of Taiwan is to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait. We don't want to have to rely on weapons procurement to do this. Rather, we hope that cross-strait relations can be improved through economic, cultural, and educational interaction. There are many ways in which we can act to avoid the outbreak of war in the Taiwan Strait. If mainland China can eliminate or reduce its deployment of missiles aimed at Taiwan, or lower the level of military threat, we can reconsider our own weapons purchases.

(above) Pictures of ROC representatives to the US are lined up on a bookshelf, bringing back memories of the many twists and turns in US-ROC relations over the years.

(above) Pictures of ROC representatives to the US are lined up on a bookshelf, bringing back memories of the many twists and turns in US-ROC relations over the years.