Taipei, Feb 03: Taiwan President Chen Shui-Bian called on diplomatic rival China today to set up a demilitarised zone and exchange envoys, proposals which were likely to fall on deaf ears. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has been angered by Chen's plan to hold a referendum alongside presidential elections on March 20, seeing it as a step towards independence that could spark a war.
Chen called for the ''establishment of a demilitarised zone (including removal of combat personnel, equipment and deployed missiles), creating a buffer zone in terms of time and space to facilitate negotiation'', the statement said.
''Both sides should have representatives stationed in Taipei and Beijing to facilitate communication and conveyance of messages.''
China, which is deeply suspicious of Chen's motives, has rejected any peace overtures in the past and has insisted that Taiwan recognises the 'One China' principle as a precondition to talks.
Last month, Chen said the referendum would ask voters two questions - whether Taiwan should buy more anti-missile weapons if China refused to withdraw its missiles pointed at Taiwan, and whether Taipei should open talks with Beijing. Bureau Report