DATE=6/20/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-TAIWAN (L)
NUMBER=2-263565
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: China has turned down an invitation by
Taiwan's new president for the two cross-strait rivals
to meet in a summit modeled on last week's historic
inter-Korean talks. V-O-A Correspondent Roger
Wilkison reports Beijing is insisting Taiwan
acknowledge it is part of China before any such talks
can be held.
TEXT: China's reaction to Chen Shui-bian's proposal
for a cross-strait summit was brief and unsurprising.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhu Bangzao -- speaking
through an interpreter -- says Taiwan's recognition of
Beijing's cherished "one China" principle must precede
any talks between the two sides.
/////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////
We ask the Taiwan leaders and authorities to recognize
the one China principle and to acknowledge that Taiwan
is part of China and, under this condition, we can
talk about anything.
/////END ACTUALITY/////
Mr. Zhu says, if Taiwan adheres to the one China
principle and acknowledges that the island is part of
China, then the leaders of the two sides can exchange
visits.
President Chen said earlier, in his first news
conference since being inaugurated last month, that
this is an age of reconciliation and that the time is
ripe for a summit between China and Taiwan, which
split 51 years ago, after a civil war.
Mr. Chen says the two Korea's have taken a historic
stride forward by holding a first-ever summit last
week. So, he asks, why can't China and Taiwan do the
same thing?
The Taiwanese leader has refused to agree to any pre-
conditions for talks between the two sides. But China
insists it will not back down from its stand.
/////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////
This one-China principle is the basis and pre-
condition for achieving peaceful reunification and, on
this major matter of right and wrong we will not give
in.
/////END ACTUALITY/////
Mr. Chen says the United States can play a bigger role
in improving China-Taiwan relations. But Chinese
spokesman Zhu threw dismisses that idea.
/////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////
The question of Taiwan is an internal affair of China.
The Chinese people are fully capable of handling this
issue. It's our view that, on this question, the
outside world has no right to interfere.
/////END ACTUALITY/////
Taiwan is expected to be one of the major topics of
discussion between Chinese leaders and U-S Secretary
of State Madeleine Albright, who arrives in Beijing
Thursday. Mr. Zhu says China wants Washington to halt
its arms sales to Taiwan and to stop official contacts
with the island that Beijing regards as an irksome,
wayward province. (signed)
NEB/ RW / WD
20-Jun-2000 05:07 AM EDT (20-Jun-2000 0907 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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