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Taiwan VP offers love, respect for China
2007-03-29
Vice President Annette Lu, the outspoken target of scathing criticism from Beijing, said Thursday that if she becomes Taiwan's next president, she will use a feminine touch to ease hostilities with China -- the island's biggest security threat. She said she would emphasize respect, cooperation and love rather than competition and conflict. The two rivals should treat each other like "relatives and neighbors," she said in an interview with The Associated Press. Lu is one of four politicians vying for the presidential nomination of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party in next year's election. Many view her as a dark horse candidate, but she argues she has the most experience for improving relations with China, even though mainland leaders have long criticized her for refusing to endorse reunification. "The idea of feminism is not an idea to compete or to take over others," said Lu, 62. "Perhaps the leaders on both sides can meet, shake hands and discuss an innovative approach to solve the problem. And I think I am one of them." Lu and President Chen Shui-bian, who were first elected in 2000, both reject China's demand that Taiwan end its separation from the mainland. They say only Taiwan's 23 million people should determine the future of the self-governing, democratic island. Taiwan has been resisting communist rule since 1949, when Mao Zedong's forces defeated Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist troops on the mainland. Chiang retreated to Taiwan, and Beijing has repeatedly threatened to use force to restore its rule over the island. Lu said it is time for a new generation of leaders to dump the historical baggage left by Mao and Chiang. "Both Mr. Mao and Mr. Chiang have left the Earth," she said. "Let the people on Earth solve the problem with our new vision and new approaches." She also said the concept of "independence versus unification" is outdated and unhelpful when trying to improve relations. She said the two sides should focus more on peaceful coexistence and economic cooperation. Just before Lu took office, China's state-run media bashed her in a series of articles that accused her of "harboring evil intentions" and of being a "lunatic" and the "scum of the nation." She said Thursday she hadn't been hit with such barbs the past few years and feels there is a good chance for reconciliation with the mainland. "In the near future, the Chinese leaders will reconsider our proposal," she said. Although Lu has delivered her own harsh criticism of China's human rights record, she supported Beijing's successful bid to host the 2008 Summer Olympics. "By hosting the Olympic Games, the Chinese leaders should bear in mind they must maintain peace. They must respect human rights," she said. Lu said it would be good for the entire region if China evolved into a peaceful democracy. She ended the interview by saying, "I never wanted to see China collapse or bad things to happen. I wish them the best, and hope they also wish Taiwan the best."
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