Eye To The Future

Lee Teng-hui, Taiwan's first popularly elected President, talked with a group of TIME journalists last week. Excerpts:

TIME: President Clinton is expected to discuss Taiwan on his visit to Beijing. Does that worry you?

Lee: I remain optimistic. Although Beijing will surely try to bargain very hard, I don't believe the U.S. will make any concessions with regard to Taiwan because it is so important to the U.S.

TIME: Are you concerned that the U.S. might pressure Taiwan to move from talks with Beijing on technical issues to political issues like unification?

Lee: It is impossible to distinguish between political issues and functional issues. It is not necessary to make that distinction. Our attitude toward dialogue is quite open.

TIME: Do you feel you can deal with Jiang Zemin and other Chinese leaders?

Lee: The mainland's basic policy toward Taiwan remains the same even though its tactics may appear more nimble. We look forward to Beijing's extending its newfound pragmatism in economic areas into the area of Taiwan policy.

TIME: What do you think Beijing will do if the independence-minded Democratic Progressive Party gains power?

Lee: Yes, Beijing is paying close attention to this issue. Its leaders' focus should be directed not to the D.P.P. but to the people in Taiwan. If they keep trying to intimidate us and equate everything we do with so-called Taiwan independence--including foreign travel by our leadership and our participation in international relations--then our people will be alienated. That will lead to a greater desire for independence.

TIME: What will your relations with the mainland be like in 25 years?

Lee: Mainland China will find it very difficult to maintain the nationalism and hegemonism that it relies on now for its rule. Society on the mainland will become more pluralized. In that case, cross-strait relations will grow closer than at present.