Taipei's efforts to raise its international profile by promoting 'human rights diplomacy' are not meant to antagonise Beijing, new Foreign Minister Tien Hung-mao said yesterday.
Mr Tien's comment came as Beijing again stepped up its criticism of Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian for failing to accept Beijing's 'one China' principle.
Mr Tien said yesterday that Taipei would pursue 'human rights' diplomacy and what he called a 'second-track' approach to international affairs so that Taiwan could become a member of the 'global village'. This meant Taipei wanted to play a more active role in international humanitarian efforts and cultivate contacts with academics and former officials with links with their governments.
Mr Tien was confident that such a 'second track' might even help build confidence between Taiwan and the mainland. 'It seems to me that non-official contacts in the form of unofficial gatherings and discussions between experts and former officials to talk about cross-straits issues and American policies related to the mainland and Taiwan have been useful at a time when there is an absence of official dialogue and contacts,' he said.
Mr Tien said the emphasis on human rights was not meant to antagonise the mainland, which faced constant criticism from Western countries for human rights violations. He said Taiwan also would seek to take part in the activities of organisations related to the United Nations dealing with humanitarian or health issues.
'We are not talking about membership. If we can become part of UN-related efforts in doing anything that will be to the good of humanity, we would like to be part of that,' Mr Tien said.