Island's PM seeks early visit to HK
Taiwan's premier wants to visit Hong Kong soon, his chief spokesman says.
David Lee Ta-wei, director-general of Taiwan's Government Information Office, said yesterday Lien Chan, who doubles as Vice-President, had a 'high willingness and interest' in visiting the SAR.
He also said Mr Lien's recent remarks to reporters, in which he said he would be willing to visit the mainland as long as no conditions were placed upon him, were made following 'deep consideration' and reflected the Government's policy.
Mr Lien's suggestion of visiting either Hong Kong or the mainland followed a similar proposal made by President Lee Teng-hui in his May 20 inauguration speech last year, in which he offered to make a 'journey of peace' to the mainland and meet Chinese leaders.
Mr David Lee tactfully avoided implying that Taipei formally recognised the right of Beijing to assume sovereignty over Hong Kong.
'Today, due to the expiry of the Sino-British treaty leasing the New Territories, British rule over Hong Kong will be terminated,' he said.
He said Hong Kong had been dubbed the 'Pearl of the Orient' due to the diligence and hard work of Chinese people living there.
'And the Republic of China shall remain concerned about whether this pearl may lose its lustre due to the transfer of sovereignty,' he said.
'The development that Hong Kong enjoys today is based upon a system of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. We hope that the Chinese communists will fully respect the system and spirit that Hong Kong has relied upon, and its promises of 'Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong' and 'a high degree of autonomy'.
'We hope that Taiwan-Hong Kong relations can be strengthened as they assume a new form so that bilateral exchanges can be expanded.' Saying Taiwan-Hong Kong relations benefited both sides as well as the mainland, he urged Beijing to change some of its 'impractical policies' so that cross-strait relations could move forward.
