Taipei Timnes
Date: Mar 10, 2016
By: Stacy Hsu / Staff reporter

People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) yesterday urged president-elect Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) to resort to pragmatism and the middle way in handling cross-strait relations, while shrugging off speculation that he could serve in Tsai’s Cabinet.

Soong made the remarks during a joint news conference with Tsai at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Taipei yesterday morning, following the pair’s first meeting since the Jan. 16 presidential election.

The two exchanged views on several issues, such as the pension system, education and judicial reform.

“Both in our meeting today and one that took place about a year ago, I urged Tsai to adopt pragmatism and the middle way when dealing with cross-strait ties. I told her only such an approach would be representative of mainstream public opinion,” Soong said when asked whether cross-strait issues were brought up at yesterday’s meeting.

Soong said resorting to separatist or hardline cross-strait policies could have serious ramifications, which is why he advised Tsai to make the Republic of China (ROC) the “greatest common denominator” and to seek mutual interests based on the ROC constitutional system.     [FULL  STORY]