TRA 30th anniversary

昨天(4/22)去參加了CSIS主辦的TRA 30周年紀念活動, 現場爆滿座無虛席，一大早8:30就先跟馬總統來個視訊會議,之後又有兩個session討論TRA如何在過去現在跟未來持續的serve U.S. interests 以及前瞻美台關係的發展等等。我個人覺得馬總統的表現非常好,念演講稿的部分就不談了,畢竟那是可以事前準備好的, 他在Q&A的時候給的回答都很清楚, to the point, 也適時的又把講稿的重點重申了一次,最重要的是馬傳達給美方的訊息非常明確,也就是在他的任內,同時跟中國改善關係並不會忽略了要加強跟美國的關係,而且台灣不會當一個free-rider, 台灣需要F16/CD還有潛艦, 希望美國能出售這些weapon system給我方，除此之外馬也特別提出了他的政府會秉持 務實的精神來發展美台關係,而且保證其外交政策是 "surprise-free" and "low key"。像這樣的發言跟內容看在華盛頓這些所謂experts眼中是非常受用的,畢竟馬本身不能來美國,與其透過大使來傳達馬政府的"assurance", 還不如用視訊會議來得即時又清楚。

簡單的記錄了一點感想還有 Q&A session的摘要:

I think President Ma made a successful presentation today, and a videoconference is a creative and effective way of bilateral communication between the Administration in Taiwan and the Washington community. Such arrangement should be done more often!

President Ma talked about what his Administration has done to improve cross-strait relations and the rationale of “flexible diplomacy” to reconcile with the mainland and to expand meaningful participation in IGOs. On top of that, he stressed the importance to revitalize U.S.-Taiwan relationship and reassured the U.S. that Taiwan will not be a free-rider in defending its national security. Lastly, the most important message to take away from his speech is to assure the U.S. audience that his Administration’s foreign policy style will be “surprise-free” and “low key”, and “pragmatic”. President Ma’s assurance received positive response from the panelists. All three panelist at the “U.S.-Taiwan Relations: Looking forward” session, agreed that Americans should be unconcerned about the Détente between Taiwan and China, and it’s impossible that Taiwan will rush toward reunification. Even in the foreseeable future, reunification is unlikely to be put on Taiwan’s agenda.

Today’s panelists talked about the TRA from historic, legal and diplomatic perspectives and they also mentioned how this Act served U.S. interests and made Congress an inseparable partner of the Executives in processing cross-strait issues. Mr. Alan Romberg mentioned that what matters the most is not just the Act itself, but the fact that U.S. fundamental policy and stance towards Taiwan remained unchanged. Alan also brought up some important points about the necessity of arms sales to boost Taiwan’s confidence in dealing with China, and he didn’t see pro-independentists emboldened by arms sales.

Q&A

Q1. How do you view Mr. Hu Jintao’s New Year’s statement and your views on the evolving process of a potential peace accord or CBM across the Strait? Is it necessary for China to take the 1st move?

A: Mr. Hu’s statement is generally positive, and Taiwan has responded already. When China proposed to sign CECA, Taiwan proposed to sign ECFA, which covers areas of investment and trade, etc. It is an important step toward normalization of economic relationship with China. As for CBM, which is sensitive and difficult to reach consensus, we need to focus on economy first. Economic issues are our priority.

Q2. When cross-strait relation is improving, how do you see the U.S.’s role evolve or change?

A: The U.S. has played a constructing role. The U.S. has shown enduring commitment and support to Taiwan. For example, President Reagan’s “Six Assurances”, and President Clinton’s decision to send aircraft carrier to maintain the stability in the region.
(Ma’s answer mainly referred back to the part in his speech about US commitment to relations with Taiwan and Taiwan’s security)

Q3. In terms of Taiwan’s objectives to expand its participation in international organization, are there other organizations as equally important as WHA?

A: (Ma laughed and said) We need to work on one organization at a time, and entering WHA is not just political issue, but also health and human rights issues.

Q4. What are the specific achievable goals in enhancing U.S.-Taiwan relations in the rest of your tenure?

A: We will open Taiwan market for more U.S. agricultural products. We hope to reach extradition agreement with the U.S. to bring back fugitives and people who committed financial crimes and hid in the U.S. Also, a visa-waiver program similar to that with Japan and the Free Trade Agreement with the U.S.

Q5. What strategy has been adopted to accept more mainland students?

A: Currently, we have more restrictions on allowing mainland students to study in Taiwan. The first group of graduate students will arrive next spring, and undergraduates next fall semester. We have 3 objectives:
1. let young people from 2 sides to meet and befriend with each other so that they can have better understanding of each other
2. recruit the best and brightest students to give Taiwanese students some stimulus, to foster benign competition
3. there are surplus capacity in Taiwan’s universities and students from mainland can seize this opportunity

Q6. What about Taiwan’s relationship with Japan?

A: Like I said earlier, improved cross-strait relations will benefit the world, the U.S. and Japan as well. This year is the year of special partnership with Japan. Taiwan set up an office in northern Japan to provide travel services. We also add a cultural office in Tokyo to promote cultural exchanges. There is going to be new charter flights between two domestic airports in Taiwan (Sonshan airport) and Japan. In this June, there will be a new program for Taiwanese students to stay in Japan for up to 1 year to work and study. There’s also fishery agreement reached to deal with maritime regulations. Just as we are affirming relationship with the U.S., we will so the same with Japan.

Q7. What mechanism is there in Taiwan to forge consensus on national security?

A: Some people had doubts and questions about whether I am going to “sell out” Taiwan during the presidential campaign. Taiwan is a full-grown democracy, and no one is able to sell out the country at his own will. As government, we try to explain, clarify some extortion and misconception. For example, the Mainland Affairs Council sent out personnel to explain to local people about what ECFA is all about. According to the most recent poll, 70% of the people support ECFA. And that’s how we establish credibility.

Q8. What’s your Administration’s top priority in terms of arms sales from the Obama Administration?

A: We greatly appreciate U.S. support in last year’s decision to sell arms to Taiwan. We still need the F-16C/D to replace our outdated fighter jets. Taiwan requires these weapon systems for defense purpose, and Taiwan’s request for defensive equipment can usually be done at the same time with breakthrough in cross-strait relations. For example, the last major arms sales to Taiwan took place in 1992, and Taiwan was able to have the cross-strait exchange meetings and reached the “1992 consensus” with the mainland in the same year.
(Mainly, Ma wanted to stress that Taiwan will not be a free-rider, and will continue to pursue arms packages from the U.S. while at the same time develop economic relationship with China. Ma was careful about not to mention China’s reaction toward arms sales, but he gave examples of how Taiwan is used to and able to deal with such issue on 2 fronts without seriously damaging relations with China)