DATE=3/18/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA - TAIWAN ELECTION (L-UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-260324
BYLINE=STEPHANIE MANN
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: China says it will be watching Taiwan's new
leader to see how he handles relations with the
mainland. Beijing reacted late Saturday to the
election of Chen Shui-bian by saying it will never
tolerate independence for Taiwan. V-O-A Correspondent
Stephanie Mann has more from the Chinese capital.
TEXT: State-run Chinese news media carried a
statement by the Taiwan affairs office of the State
Council, China's cabinet, and by the Taiwan office of
the Communist Party Central Committee.
The statement does not mention Chen Shui-bian by name
or say that he was elected president -- only that
Taiwan has held local elections for a new leader. It
says the election results do not change Taiwan's
status as an inseparable part of China.
It says China will listen to what the new Taiwan
leader says and watch what he does. And the statement
says China will watch were he leads cross-straits
relations.
The statement repeats Beijing's position that the "one
China" policy is still the precondition for the
peaceful reunification of Taiwan with the mainland.
And it adds that Taiwan's independence will never be
allowed.
The Chinese statement also appeals to the people of
Taiwan to help safeguard the territorial integrity of
China and work toward the country's complete
reunification.
China has said any talks for reunification must be
under the formula of "one country-two systems," which
was the model used for Hong Kong's return to Chinese
rule. Mr. Chen has rejected that condition for talks
with Beijing, but has said he is willing to meet with
Chinese leaders.
A few weeks before Taiwan's presidential election,
China issued a white paper outlining its policy on
Taiwan. It says it wants the peaceful reunification
of Taiwan with the mainland, but reserves the right to
use force.
And the white paper listed three situations that could
warrant the use of force -- if Taiwan declares
independence, if foreign forces interfere in Taiwan's
reuniting with the mainland, or if Taiwan's leaders
indefinitely delay talks on reunification.
In the days leading up to Saturday's election, Chinese
officials repeated Beijing's readiness to use force,
saying Chinese people are prepared to shed their blood
to achieve reunification.
China's statement reacting to the election made no
mention of those threats of force.
Western analysts have said China's military is not
ready to launch a successful full-scale offensive
against Taiwan. But they say the way the new Taiwan
president behaves toward China in the coming weeks
could determine what steps Beijing will take. (Signed)
NEB/SMN/JP
18-Mar-2000 12:45 PM EDT (18-Mar-2000 1745 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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