"Chinese people both from the mainland and Taiwan should be
united and join our hands to strive for prosperity and create a
glorious future of the whole Chinese nation," the Taiwan's New
Party Chairman Yok Mu-ming told China.org.cn during the Third Cross-Straits Economic and Cultural Forum
on April 28, 2007.
He called for further collaboration between the Kuomintang and
the Communist Party of China in the future, encouraging Chinese
people from both sides of the Straits to work together.
"All Chinese compatriots must remember our history. History is a
mirror. People from Taiwan and the mainland have the same ancestors
and share the same traditional culture. They all contributed to the
current prosperity of the mainland and Taiwan."
The New Party Chairman Yok Mu-ming
accepts an interview from China.org.cn
He told China.org.cn that the two sides are in the course of a
natural progression towards pursuing peace and development.
"We want to make it clear to all Chinese in the world that only
when we are united, can we realize peace across the Straits and
open up a new stage in the 21st century when we Chinese people feel
proud and elated."
He praised the recent developmental progress, saying, "The New
Party will spare no efforts to promote political, economic and
educational cooperation across the Straits." Last year, the total
amount of trade rose to over US$10 million as 70,000 companies and
enterprises invested in the mainland.
"People-to-people exchanges between the mainland and Taiwan are
booming. At the same time, political talks seem to be left behind.
The mainland is very active, but the current local authorities in
Taiwan are hostile," he said, adding, "The vicious goal of a
minority of politicians is doomed to fail."
The primary theme of his speech delivered at the forum was the
cultivation of patriotism among young people on both sides of the
Straits.
"What we've been longing for are genuine exchanges and
communication. We hope to inspire the younger generation to work
harder for the revitalization of the Chinese nation. China's
prosperity and revitalization depend on the efforts of a new
generation from across the Straits "
Yok pledged that when he returns to Taiwan, he would push the
Kuomintang, the People First Party, and the New Party to work
closely to promote a cross-Straits peaceful unification. The
Chinese New Party was originally formed from a split between the
then-ruling Kuomintang by members of the New Kuomintang Alliance in
August 1993.
When asked to comment on the decision made by the current
authorities to refuse the route of the Beijing Olympic Torch
through the island, he told China.org.cn: "The Taiwanese people
will never support that (rejection)."
He said that the people of Taiwan felt thrilled at the moment
Beijing was selected as the host of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games
and many are planning to cross the Taiwan Straits next year to
watch the Games.
"The Taiwanese people's enthusiasm for the Beijing Olympics will
never ebb. It is a glory for all Chinese," Yok said. He believes
the participation of people from both the mainland and Taiwan will
greatly increase understanding and exchanges across the
Straits.
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Wang Ke, April 29, 2007)
