KMT chair candidate to urge China: 'No independence, no force'

Taipei, Oct. 14 (CNA) Former Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌), who is currently running for Kuomintang (KMT) chairman, on Tuesday proposed striking a deal with China of "no force as long as Taiwan does not declare independence."

At a press conference announcing his cross-strait policies, Hau said he would officially call on China to renounce the use of force against Taiwan in exchange for a promise not to seek independence.

He stated that efforts from both sides are crucial for goodwill across the strait. As such, China's continuous air and naval incursions, as well as repeated military drills surrounding Taiwan, are the biggest obstacles to peaceful and stable relationships between the two sides of the strait.

Hau also proposed policies, including holding a grand debate within the party on its cross-strait policy, pushing to set up party offices in Beijing and Shanghai, and expanding the positive experiences of the Taipei-Shanghai City Forum by establishing a "Cross-Strait Forum."

Lastly, he said he would reorient the party's cross-strait policies to be more in keeping with the spirit of the Republic of China's (ROC, Taiwan) Constitution, which interprets the cross-strait relationship as the relationship between ROC in Taiwan and ROC in the mainland region, rather than two separate nations.

Hau said the Constitution is Taiwan's best protection and the best legal connection between the two sides of the strait, criticizing President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) violation and erroneous presentation of cross-strait relations and the relationship between Taiwan and the ROC.

He said that Beijing must acknowledge the reality of the ROC's continuation and current existence. If not, the "most natural and reasonable" legal link between the two sides of the strait will dwindle.

The people of Taiwan can only feel protected if the ROC is acknowledged and respected, and only then can they rationally discuss and plan for development goals beneficial to people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, he said.