Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2017-11-12

Taiwan’s representative to APEC, James Soong, encouraged APEC leaders to use

Taiwan’s envoy to the recent APEC summit in Vietnam, James Soong, waves to reporters at a press conference following the summit. (CNA photo)

peace as a vehicle for achieving prosperity. His comments came during a luncheon on Saturday, the final day of the two-day APEC Leaders’ Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Soong later spoke at a press conference on Saturday night about what he had expressed to the leaders earlier in the day. “History is like a mirror, not a rope,” he said. “We have seen the past lessons of history, and should take them as a warning.” The most important thing, he said, is that people should not see history as a rope binding their hands and feet, but instead should cut the rope so that everyone can work together.

When asked about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s response to the analogy, Soong said that everyone had heard the remarks. He said that all of the leaders were sitting close together, their headphones were working, and that the interpreters had translated every word. He said that no further explanation was necessary.    [FULL  STORY]