Taiwan-PRC to relax relation

Taiwan-PRC to relax relation

TAIPEI (AFP): Taiwan yesterday offered to recognize China's
head of state, in an unprecedented attempt by the Chinese
nationalist island to thaw relations with the communist-ruled
mainland.

Vincent Siew, chairman of the body that formulates policy
toward Beijing, told parliament that Taiwan was ready to
recognize the authority of President Jiang Zemin and stage
reciprocal presidential visits.

The statement was widely seen as an attempt to prompt China
into recognizing Taiwan so that the two claimants to China's
sovereignty can step up attempts to end four decades of often-
bitter rivalry. The offer was conditional upon Taiwanese
President Lee Teng-hui's also being acknowledged as a head of
state.

Siew told parliament: "We would recommend that President Lee
meet his mainland counterpart, Jiang Zemin, in Beijing if Jiang
extended an invitation to Lee as head of state."

He added: "If Mr. Jiang invited our president to visit the
mainland as head of state, we would use the same title to invite
him to visit here."

Siew made the declaration as he told parliament that his
organization, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), had formed a
committee to cope with any crisis after the death of Chinese
paramount leader Deng Xiaoping. He said Taiwan believed the
condition of Deng, 90, was "critical."

"The latest information we have is that Deng is in critical
condition. His health is deteriorating rapidly," he said.