'It's Not Necessary to Wait'.(Brief Article)(Interview)

Taiwan's president speaks candidly about China's new leader, fixing the economy and reconciliation with the mainland

Chen Shui-Bian's victory in Taiwan's 2000 presidential election not only ousted the ruling Kuomintang from power for the first time in half a century, but set off widespread fears of a military conflict with China. Since then, however, relations with the mainland have shown signs of warming, and Chen's Democratic Progressive Party holds the most seats in Parliament, cementing the first peaceful, democratic transfer of power in Chinese history. Exactly halfway through his term, Chen spoke about the tasks ahead with NEWSWEEK's Nisid Hajari and Melinda Liu in a series of interviews in the presidential office, in his residence and on his official aircraft. Excerpts:

NEWSWEEK: In your Inaugural Address you reassured voters by vowing not to declare independence, not to hold a referendum on the issue and not to amend the Constitution in a way that would make it more oriented toward Taiwanese independence. Were you disappointed that the Chinese leadership didn't respond positively afterward?

CHEN: I felt regret instead of disappointment; I understand the traditional political culture on mainland China. Feudalistic things cannot be changed easily. But we can wait. There is an old saying: "Even an obstinate stone can nod in assent."

You've often offered to talk with Chinese leaders. Is it more likely that such discussions will take place between you and [the presumed next president] Hu Jintao, rather than with the current Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who is expected to step down in the next year?

Mainland China is facing the issue of succession. The leadership there is not willing to face an unstable situation [right now]. So, it is not possible for me to talk to the president of mainland China face to face during the tenure of Jiang Zemin... If the future leader is going to be Hu Jintao, I will not give up on seeking a chance to talk to him face to face. However, Mr. Hu is reserved, untested. He's around the same age as me, but our thoughts are not similar... I don't have overly high expectations of him. For example, when Mr. Hu was party secretary of the Tibet Autonomous Region, he asked the People's Liberation Army publicly to suppress Tibetan protesters. He even asked to have his picture taken with soldiers in front of a battle tank. Mr. Hu is a loyal supporter of communist authority and despotism.

It is assumed you'll seek re-election in 2004. Will you have a better chance to initiate a breakthrough in cross-Straits relations in your second term?