DATE=3/19/2000
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=TAIWAN ELECT - CHINA RESPONSE
NUMBER=5-45679
BYLINE=STEPHANIE MANN
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: China's reaction to the presidential election
results in Taiwan is being seen by many observers as
low-key and measured. V-O-A Correspondent Stephanie
Mann reports from the Chinese capital observers are
struck as much by what China is not saying as what it
has said.
TEXT: Virtually all of China's main newspapers Sunday
carried news about the election in Taiwan. Each of
the papers seen in Beijing put a brief news report
from the official Xinhua news agency in the lower
right hand corner of the front page.
The two-sentence article says the election for the
leader of Taiwan was concluded and it lists the
percentage of votes each candidate received.
Each of the papers carries an accompanying article -
also from the Xinhua news agency - that reports the
joint comment issued late Saturday by the Taiwan
affairs offices of the Chinese cabinet and the
Communist Party.
Analysts and observers are examining that statement
closely to see how China's leaders feel about the
election of opposition candidate Chen Shui-bian as
Taiwan's new president.
The party and government say they will watch what Mr.
Chen says and does and where he leads Taiwan's
relations with the mainland. The statement repeats
Beijing's position that Taiwan is an inalienable part
of China, adding that the election does not change
that fact.
Foreign observers point out the Chinese statement is
noticeably less belligerent than official comments by
Beijing in the days leading up to the election. The
reaction statement makes no mention of the possible
use of force, although it does say Taiwan independence
in any form is absolutely impermissible.
China has not changed its policy on Taiwan, which was
outlined a few weeks ago in a lengthy White Paper.
Beijing still reserves the right to use 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.
But, by not repeating those threats, observers say
leaders in Beijing apparently decided to put forward a
more cautious, low key attitude as they wait to see
how Mr. Chen acts in the coming days.
China's official statement also says the "one-China"
policy is the precondition for peaceful reunification
of Taiwan and mainland China. And it says China is
willing to exchange views on cross-Straits relations
with all Taiwan political parties who approve of the
"one-China" principle.
Some observers interpret that as an olive-branch of
sorts, because it does not carry the stipulation that
reunification must be under the formula of one-
country, two systems - the model that was used for
Hong Kong and something China has said should apply to
Taiwan as well. However, Chen Shui-bian has not said
he embraces the idea of one China.
Mr. Chen's Democratic Progressive Party was founded
with the goal of independence for Taiwan. Mr. Chen
has tried to distance himself from that idea, but
foreign analysts say China's real reaction may depend
on how far Mr. Chen is willing to move from his
party's platform.
Many ordinary Chinese are unaware of the Taiwan
election and its potential impact. But many educated
people in Beijing have expressed concern about the
possibility that conflict might arise following the
election of Chen Shui-bian, and they say they do not
want a war.
As China decides what action it may take, leaders in
Beijing are likely to keep in mind the important
economic relations across the Taiwan Straits. Taiwan
businesses have invested an estimated 30 billion
dollars on the mainland, and two-way indirect trade is
substantial.
Nonetheless, the issue of Taiwan's reunification has
special significance in Beijing. Now that Hong Kong
and Macao have both returned to Chinese rule, Taiwan
is the last Chinese territory still not under
Beijing's control.
President Jiang Zemin is widely believed to want
Taiwan's reunification with the mainland to be his
legacy. That is not likely to be completed in three
years' time, before his term as party leader expires
in 2002 and his term as president runs out in 2003.
But foreign observers say Mr. Jiang may hope the
reunification process can be set in motion before he
steps down.
Most international news reports describe the Taiwan
election as the first peaceful democratic transition
of the presidency. Power has transferred from the
Kuomintang Nationalist Party, which has ruled Taiwan
for the last 50 years, to an opposition party which at
one time was considered subversive.
However, China has not publicly reported this aspect
of the Taiwan election. China avoids the word
president, saying instead Taiwan is choosing a new
leader. Yet some foreign observers point out the
parallel comparison is probably not lost on Chinese
leaders. The Communist Party has also been in power
for 50 years, but does not allow opposition political
parties to contest in democratic elections. (Signed)
NEB/SMN/
19-Mar-2000 03:13 AM EDT (19-Mar-2000 0813 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
