Taiwan's new president on Tuesday tied improved political relations with rival China to Beijing's progress toward democracy -- a condition the communist superpower may have trouble meeting.
The comments by Ma Ying-jeou in his inaugural address took place on a day of dramatic developments in Taipei, as prosecutors announced they were launching a corruption probe into outgoing President Chen Shui-bian's handling of a special presidential fund.
The inquiry concerns allegations that Chen was involved in the embezzlement of some $484,000 from the fund, which is used to promote Taiwan's foreign diplomacy.
The comments by Ma Ying-jeou in his inaugural address took place on a day of dramatic developments in Taipei, as prosecutors announced they were launching a corruption probe into outgoing President Chen Shui-bian's handling of a special presidential fund.
The inquiry concerns allegations that Chen was involved in the embezzlement of some $484,000 from the fund, which is used to promote Taiwan's foreign diplomacy.
Ma's elevation to the presidency represents a clear break from the eight-year administration of Chen, whose confrontational pro-independence policies often led to friction with Beijing -- and with the United States, Taiwan's most important foreign partner.
In his inaugural address, the new leader reaffirmed the themes of his presidential campaign -- a desire for greater economic engagement with Beijing without renouncing Taiwan's sovereignty.
His comment on Chinese democracy stood among a series of generally bullish statements on cross-strait trade prospects, because it appeared to raise the bar on a lessening of tensions with Taiwan's giant neighbor.
Ma, Vice President Vincent Siew and the new Cabinet took their oaths of office in a somber ceremony in the ornate presidential office building with Chen looking on.
If Chen knew that prosecutors were about to move against him, he didn't show it. He appeared clam and relaxed, chatting easily with Ma.
Two hours later, Ma addressed a packed house of political leaders and representatives of Taiwan's dwindling band of diplomatic allies in a Taipei sports arena.
His address set the tone for the China policies of his administration.
"We ... hope that mainland China will continue to move toward freedom, democracy and prosperity for all the people," Ma said. "That would pave the way for long-term peaceful development of cross-strait relations."
Fifty-nine years after China and Taiwan split amid civil war, the 100-mile-wide Taiwan Strait remains one of the world's perennial hotspots.
Beijing continues to claim the island as part of its territory and has threatened to attack if it moves to make its de facto independence permanent -- something it accused Chen of coming close to doing.
In his remarks, Ma reaffirmed his long-standing opposition to Chen's independence line, while ruling out early talks aimed at achieving unity with China -- the central aim of Beijing's Taiwan policy for almost six decades.
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In his inaugural address, the new leader reaffirmed the themes of his presidential campaign -- a desire for greater economic engagement with Beijing without renouncing Taiwan's sovereignty.
His comment on Chinese democracy stood among a series of generally bullish statements on cross-strait trade prospects, because it appeared to raise the bar on a lessening of tensions with Taiwan's giant neighbor.
Ma, Vice President Vincent Siew and the new Cabinet took their oaths of office in a somber ceremony in the ornate presidential office building with Chen looking on.
If Chen knew that prosecutors were about to move against him, he didn't show it. He appeared clam and relaxed, chatting easily with Ma.
Two hours later, Ma addressed a packed house of political leaders and representatives of Taiwan's dwindling band of diplomatic allies in a Taipei sports arena.
His address set the tone for the China policies of his administration.
"We ... hope that mainland China will continue to move toward freedom, democracy and prosperity for all the people," Ma said. "That would pave the way for long-term peaceful development of cross-strait relations."
Fifty-nine years after China and Taiwan split amid civil war, the 100-mile-wide Taiwan Strait remains one of the world's perennial hotspots.
Beijing continues to claim the island as part of its territory and has threatened to attack if it moves to make its de facto independence permanent -- something it accused Chen of coming close to doing.
In his remarks, Ma reaffirmed his long-standing opposition to Chen's independence line, while ruling out early talks aimed at achieving unity with China -- the central aim of Beijing's Taiwan policy for almost six decades.
Continue...
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