DATE=3/5/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA CONGRESS (L)
NUMBER=2-259841
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji has taken aim at
corrupt government and Communist Party officials in a
speech opening the annual plenary session of China's
national legislature in Beijing, saying anti-graft
efforts fall far short of what citizens expect. VOA
correspondent Roger Wilkison reports Mr. Zhu also
stressed a peaceful approach in urging Taiwan to enter
reunification talks with China and stayed away from
the more belligerent tone adopted by other leaders in
recent days.
TEXT: Mr. Zhu refrained from repeating Beijing's
threat to use force against Taiwan if the island
continues to drag its feet on discussing reunification
with China. But, speaking through an interpreter, he
made clear that China will not remain indifferent to
any activity on the island that Beijing may view as
undermining its claims to sovereignty over Taiwan.
/////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////
We will not sit idly by and watch any serious
separatist activity aimed at undermining China's
sovereignty and territorial integrity, such as those
advocating the two-state theory or the independence of
Taiwan. (APPLAUSE)
/////END ACTUALITY/////
China is angry at Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui for
formulating a theory whereby Taiwan will only
negotiate with China as an equal. None of the three
main candidates vying to succeed Mr. Lee in elections
March 18th has indicated that they intend to move away
from that position.
On Saturday, Chinese President Jiang Zemin threatened
drastic measures against Taiwan if the island drags
its heels indefinitely on opening reunification talks.
But Premier Zhu emphasized the need for the two sides
to build up economic, trade and cultural ties, and he
pledged to protect Taiwan's 40 billion dollars worth
of investments on the mainland.
/////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////
We place our hopes on the Taiwan authorities, and even
more on the people of Taiwan. We are willing to
continue working with the vast numbers of our Taiwan
compatriots in developing cross-strait relations and
achieving peaceful reunification of the motherland.
The Chinese people are determined and absolutely able
to bring the Taiwan question to an early settlement
and realize the great cause of unification of the
motherland. APPLAUSE
/////END ACTUALITY/////
Despite Beijing's hurry to resolve the Taiwan issue,
two of Taiwan's three main candidates have said they
will never accept a timetable for negotiations on
reunification.
The Chinese legislature's annual session comes as
popular anger at corruption is undermining support for
the Communist Party. A former vice-governor of
Jiangxi province is awaiting execution for bribe-
taking, and a top legislator is under investigation
for the same crime. And in southern Fujian province,
a 10-billion dollar smuggling scandal is unfolding,
with top police and customs officials implicated.
Mr. Zhu says his government's anti-corruption drive
has made some achievements but is still inadequate.
/////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////
But we still fall far short of what the central
authorities require of us and what the people expect
of us. Fighting corruption is still a tough task. We
must take more effective measures and make unremitting
efforts to fight corruption and build a clean and
honest government.
/////END ACTUALITY/////
Mr. Zhu argues that China must maintain social and
political stability as it strives to modernize its
economy. He calls for a tougher line against members
of the Falun Gong exercise and meditation movement,
which has been banned by the government as an evil
cult.
The Chinese Premier's speech was dominated by economic
matters. Without setting a target for this year, he
pledged rapid economic growth, calling it critical for
overhauling state-owned enterprises and coping with
unemployment. He also promised massive state
spending, including a long-term 12-billion dollar bond
issue, to develop infrastructure projects. And he
said China must move speedily to prepare for its entry
into the World Trade Organization by turning around
loss-making state firms, revitalizing its farm sector
and adapting its laws and regulations to the
requirements of WTO membership. (signed)
NEB/RW/PLM
05-Mar-2000 01:18 AM EDT (05-Mar-2000 0618 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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