DATE=3/10/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-US-TAIWAN (L)
NUMBER=2-260054
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: China is blaming the United States for
inflaming tensions over Taiwan by selling the island
weapons. VOA Correspondent Roger Wilkison reports
Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan says China's relations
with both the United States and Taiwan are now at what
he calls a critical juncture.
TEXT: At a news conference in connection with the
annual session of China's legislature, Mr. Tang said
China would have reunited with Taiwan long ago had
Washington not given military support to the island.
Speaking through an interpreter, Mr. Tang called the
51-year split between China and Taiwan the result of
an unfinished civil war. And he blamed the United
States for interfering in China's internal affairs by
helping the island.
/////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////
What it has done on the question of Taiwan has
inflated the arrogance of the separatist forces in
Taiwan. Therefore, the United States bears
unshakeable responsibility for the tension in the
Taiwan Straits.
/////END ACTUALITY/////
Mr. Tang says Washington's arms sales to Taiwan have
increased both in terms of quantity and quality in
violation of three Sino-US agreements. Those accords
specify that the United States will gradually reduce
and eventually halt weapons sales to the island. But
a 1979 Act of Congress stipulates that Washington will
provide defensive weapons to Taiwan.
The Chinese foreign minister blasted Washington for
proposing the sale of Hawk anti-aircraft missiles to
Taiwan as well as equipment to upgrade an out-of-date
radar system. He says China has officially protested
the proposed transfer.
Mr. Tang also urges Washington to tread carefully in
its future dealings with Taiwan.
/////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////
Both Sino-U-S relations and cross strait relations are
at a critical juncture. Here I would advise the
Americans to recognize that what the U-S says and does
on the question of Taiwan will have a direct bearing
on the future direction of the Sino-U-S relationship.
It will also directly bear on peace and stability in
the Taiwan Strait and also in the Asia-Pacific region.
/////END ACTUALITY/////
Taiwan's presidential election is only eight days
away. Although he says the contest is only a regional
election in what is an inalienable part of China, Mr.
Tang says Beijing is ready to resume negotiations as
long as the winner does not support Taiwan's formal
independence.
/////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////
If the new leader in Taiwan has no inclination for
Taiwan's independence and is genuinely willing to
restart talks and negotiations with U-S on the basis
of the one China principle, then we are willing to
consider that. But if things turn out to be the
opposite, then I'm afraid the result will be quite
contrary.
/////END ACTUALITY/////
Tensions between China and Taiwan have risen after
Beijing threatened to use force against the island if
it indefinitely rejects China's overtures to enter
reunification talks. (SIGNED)
NEB/RW/FC/PLM
10-Mar-2000 06:42 AM EDT (10-Mar-2000 1142 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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