KMT VP candidate pledges not to advocate for unification if elected

Taipei, Dec. 27 (CNA) Kuomintang (KMT) vice presidential candidate Jaw Shau-kong (趙少康) said Wednesday that he will not talk with China about unification if elected, because there are no conditions for such discussions, given the substantial differences in institutions between the two sides.

If he were to be elected, "I will definitely not engage in discussions with China about unification during my term; and this is also impossible," Jaw told reporters when asked to respond to a statement from Chinese Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Chen Binhua (陳斌華) earlier Wednesday.

At a regular presser in Beijing, Chen expressed the hope that people in Taiwan will more frequently make statements conducive to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and engage in actions that enhance mutual trust and understanding between the two sides.

Chen made the remarks in response to Jaw's recent statement that the KMT does not endorse communism and has never been pro-Chinese Communist Party (CCP), while further asserting that he absolutely will not advocate for negotiations on unification if elected.

Considering the current state of cross-strait relations, it would be a significant breakthrough if both sides reopen communication channels, said Jaw, running mate of KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜).

If the two sides resume dialogue and restore visits to Taiwan by Chinese tourists and students, as it was under former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), that would be a favorable development in cross-strait relations, Jaw said.

Speaking in favor of cross-strait unification is not the only thing that can bring about peace and benefit cross-strait relations, he said.

Moreover, significant differences in political systems and way of life mean that discussing unification is simply not feasible, he added.