Li Weiyi, a spokesman with the Taiwan Affairs Office of the
State Council, said Wednesday that cross-Straits relations may face
a rocky future if Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian continues his
pro-independence push over the next four years. Li also ruled out
the possibility of resuming cross-Straits talks if Chen does not
accept the one-China principle.
At the first regular news conference since Taiwan's March 20
"presidential" election, Li condemned Chen for his latest advocacy
of a splittist plan.
In media interviews following his highly disputed reelection,
the Taiwan leader has stated time and again his intention to hold a
referendum for the drafting of a new "constitution" in 2006 and
enacting the document in 2008.
"In reality, this is a naked Taiwan independence timetable,"
said Li, adding that Chen is actually trying to cheat the Taiwanese
public and world opinion by claiming that his plan will not change
the cross-Straits status quo.
He cautioned that to push through such a pro-independence
timetable "is set to result in tensions and danger in the Taiwan
Straits."
While promoting peaceful reunification between the Chinese
mainland and Taiwan, Beijing has not renounced the use of force if
Taiwan declares independence.
The spokesman said that Chen's actions during his four years in
office are full testimony to his persistent push for Taiwan's
independence.
He stressed that Chen's obstinate adherence to the separatist
stance has created chaos in Taiwan society, caused serious damage
to cross-Straits ties and posed a direct threat to peace and
stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Commenting on Chen's recent statement that mainstream Taiwan
public opinion is protecting the island against the mainland, Li
said the leader's remarks reflect his real intention to push for
independence and stir confrontation.
The March 20 referendum, which was an attempt to provoke the
mainland, showed that most Taiwanese people hope for stability and
development in bilateral ties, the spokesman said.
Li blamed the current stalemate in cross-Straits talks on Chen's
refusal to embrace the one-China principle, which states that
Taiwan and the mainland are part of China.
"The one-China principle is the basis for restarting
cross-Straits negotiations," he said, "and we will not change the
stance."
Since taking power on May 20, 2000, Chen has rejected the
one-China principle and has agreed to discuss only the issue of a
future one China.
Beijing and Taipei began bilateral negotiations through
semi-official bodies in the early 1990s owing to the absence of
official links.
But the talks were broken off after former Taiwan leader Lee
Teng-hui introduced the "two states" theory in July 1999. The
deadlock in bilateral relations has been maintained during Chen's
four-year term.
Li also criticized a Taiwanese plan to fingerprint mainland
visitors, calling it discriminatory.
"We oppose this discriminatory measure towards mainland
compatriots," said the spokesman.
Under the Taiwanese policy, all mainland people are to be
fingerprinted when applying for family reunions and temporary or
permanent stays in Taiwan.
But the plan, due to take effect last week, had been postponed
because the Immigration Bureau has not acquired the necessary
equipment, according to Taiwanese media reports.
(China Daily April 15, 2004)