Chen plans China 'peace force'
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Chen says he wants a task force to promote peace with China.
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TAIPEI, Taiwan (Reuters) -- Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian plans to set up a task force to promote peace with China and appoint an envoy to the mainland after presidential elections next month, a statement issued by Chen's office says.
Chen, facing a tough re-election, said a nine-member presidential task force would be formed after the March 20 poll to promote what he called a framework for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
More than half of the team members would come from the private sector, including representatives from the business, cultural and academic areas, Chen told Japan's Kyodo News Agency in an interview Friday.
"We plan to introduce members of the task force after March 20 and hope to decide Taiwan's representative to be stationed in China before May 20," a transcript issued Saturday by the president's office quoted Chen as saying.
A new president formally takes office on May 20.
Chen has come under fire at home and abroad for plans to hold a contentious referendum alongside the presidential election.
Chen says the referendum would ask voters whether Taiwan should buy more anti-missile weapons if China refused to withdraw 496 missiles pointed at the island, and if Taipei should open talks with Beijing to set up a framework for peaceful ties.
China regards self-governing Taiwan as part of its territory and has been angered by the referendum plan, which it sees as a step towards independence and says could lead to war.
Some countries including Taipei's main supporter, the United States, have criticised Chen's move.
Earlier this month, Chen called on China to set up a demilitarized zone (DMZ) between the bitter rivals and swap envoys, but the peace overtures have so far fallen on deaf ears.
Chen told the Japanese agency he did not rule out the possibility of letting the United States, Japan or other international organisations take part in a committee to monitor operations in the DMZ in the future.
Talks between Taiwan and China, foes since the end of the Chinese civil war 55 years ago, have been frozen since 1999, but trade is booming and Taiwan companies are estimated to have invested $100 billion in the mainland.
The latest poll by the mass circulation United Daily News showed 41 percent would vote for opposition presidential candidate Lien Chan, compared with 37 percent for Chen.
Chen and Lien face off later Saturday in the island's first presidential debate.
Copyright 2004
Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
