DATE=6/1/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TAIWAN WARNING (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-263042
BYLINE=ALISHA RYU
DATELINE=HONG KONG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Hong Kong politicians and business leaders
are reacting angrily to a warning from Beijing not to
engage in trade with companies that openly support
Taiwan independence. Alisha Ryu has details from Hong
Kong.
TEXT: Addressing the Chinese Chamber of Commerce on
Wednesday, a Hong Kong-based official of the Central
Government Liaison Office, He Zhiming (prounced Hee
Chee-ming), said Hong Kong firms that trade with pro-
independence Taiwan businesses faced "risk". Mr. He
went on to say he hopes Hong Kong businessmen will -
in his words - "know how to choose when seeking Taiwan
trading partners."
Local pro-democracy politicians quickly called the
comments a threat that undermines Hong Kong's long-
cherished reputation as a bastion of free trade.
On Thursday, Hong Kong's acting chief executive, Anson
Chan, firmly rejected Beijing's warning, saying
politics has no place in Hong Kong's business
community.
// CHAN ACT //
In our view, business decisions are best left to
businessmen and should not invite the interference of
any official. It is inappropriate for any political
consideration to affect business decisions.
// END ACT //
A lawmaker representing the influential Hong Kong
General Chamber of Commerce, James Tien, told VOA that
local businesses are especially worried such comments
could erode overseas investor confidence.
// TIEN ACT //
Foreign investors might take this statement seriously
because they assume that what they will become fact.
We certainly hope it will be clarified overseas that
this is just a statement made by a liaison officer and
is not the view of the Hong Kong government, Hong Kong
legislative council, or the Hong Kong business
community.
// END ACT //
Mr. He's comments on Wednesday marked the second time
this year a Beijing official from the Hong Kong
Liaison Office has issued a warning about Taiwan. In
April, the deputy director of the office, Wang
Fengchao, warned Hong Kong media not to report any
news or views that support Taiwan independence.
Beijing regards Taiwan as a renegade province and has
repeatedly vowed to reunite the island with the
mainland, by force if necessary. (Signed)
NEB/AR/FC
01-Jun-2000 06:16 AM EDT (01-Jun-2000 1016 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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