Seven Questions: Taiwan

FOREIGN POLICY: Is there a difference between what you think should happen and what will happen with cross-strait relations with China in the coming years?

Annette Lu: The relationship requires mutual understanding and trust. The best way to define the relationship is that culturally and ethnically, Taiwan and China are relatives, and geographically, we are neighbors. As relatives, we would not fight against each other. As neighbors, we should peacefully coexist and cooperate. The mainland says, Yes, we are relatives, but we are one country, not neighbors. They say we are one family. But they have to prove it, because they treat us more like enemies.

FP: China has proposed sending two pandas to Taiwan as a goodwill gesture. Do you support accepting them?

AL: In the interest of the pandas, we worry about whether we can really take care of them properly. Everything should be done in accordance with international norms regarding the care of endangered species. But if the mainland people are truly in favor of sending the pandas, I wouldnt mind. Perhaps the best option is to have the KMT take care of the pandas. The KMT is so rich, so why not?

FP: There is a growing concern in some quarters that the hundreds of thousands of Taiwanese businessmen who live and work in mainland China are developing a greater affinity for China. To what extent do you share this concern?

AL: Im certainly concerned. Its ironic that as economic ties become tighter, political relations become tenser. We understand that many Taiwanese people go to China for investment opportunities and are in a bit of a dilemma over how to uphold their patriotism to Taiwan. Balancing this is a challenge for us.

FP: Some say that because of Chinas growing economic and military power, in a few decades it will be too powerful to be deterred. Is there a time window in which cross-strait issues need to be peacefully settled before China gets too powerful for anyone to stop?

AL: The key is the definition of the status quo. Some people say that the status quo means no independence, no force. The facts are on the contrary. Taiwan has been independent for decades, with or without recognition. We are independent, and there is no peace at all. Chinas communists in the past decade have spent so much money to build up their military power. Everybody knows that. So the status quo is that Taiwan has been independent and that China is militant.

FP: What is Taiwans greatest challenge aside from cross-strait relations?

AL: The most urgent priority is reconciliation between the ruling party government and the opposition. Our opponents still refuse to recognize the legitimacy of President Chen Shui-bian. Last year, we were nearly assassinated. It was a miracle that both President Chen and I survived. [Chen and Lu were shot during a campaign event the day before the presidential election, which they won by a 0.2 percent margin.] However, our opponents refuse to recognize that we had been elected in accordance with the law. So they refuse to cooperate with us in the Legislative Yuan, making everything difficult.

FP: What more would you like to see from Washington and Tokyo to help Taiwan?

AL: If the United States could encourage Japan to pass a law like the Taiwan Relations Act to regulate the relationship between Japan and Taiwan even without recognition, that would be most helpful. I began to advocate such an idea last year. Thanks to the Taiwan Relations Act signed into law by Jimmy Carter in 1979, the substantial relationship between the United States and Taiwan has been sustained. Currently the parliament in Canada is debating such a bill. So it is time to encourage Japan to adopt such a formula.

FP: Are you considering running for president in 2008?

AL: That is a sensitive question that I wont answer. Its too early to say.

Annette Lu is vice president of the Republic of China (Taiwan).