DATE=6/29/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-TAIWAN (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-263880
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: China is rejecting a pledge by Taiwanese
President Chen Shui-bian to embrace a 1992 deal
whereby Beijing and Taipei agreed to disagree about
how to define their relationship. VOA correspondent
Roger Wilkison reports China is insisting that Taiwan
must accept unequivocally that it is part of China
before cross-strait talks can resume.
TEXT: The latest semantic dance between China and
Taiwan revolves around a deal that, eight years ago,
helped them cool decades of hostility and start
historic talks that have since been frozen. At the
time, the two sides agreed that there is only one
China but disagreed how to define it. And therein
lies the problem. Taiwan says the two agreed each
side could have its own interpretation of what "one
China" means. China denies that, saying it only
agreed to shelve discussion of the issue as long as
the two sides orally adhered to the one China
principle.
As far as Beijing is concerned, one China means Taiwan
is an inseparable part of China, and not a sovereign,
independent state. Taiwan has enjoyed de facto
independence since the two sides split amid civil war
51 years ago. Many Taiwanese fear that accepting the
one China principle would mean acknowledging the
communist government in Beijing as their ruler.
On Tuesday, Mr. Chen said he would recognize the 1992
deal that Taiwanese describe as "one China, two
interpretations." But Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesman Zhu Bangzao - speaking through an
interpreter on Thursday - indicated that does not
satisfy Beijing.
/// INTERPRETER ACTUALITY ///
The so-called one China - different interpretation
version put forward by the Taiwan side does not
conform to actual conditions and is aimed at splittist
(separatist) activity under the pretext of different
interpretation. We urge the Taiwan side to accept the
one-China principle, and the key now is that the
Taiwan authorities refuse to accept the one-China
principle.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
Although Beijing indicated last month that a Taiwanese
move toward the 1992 consensus would be considered a
step toward a resumption of talks, Mr. Zhu indicated
Thursday that China wants more from Mr. Chen.
/// 2ND INTERPRETER ACTUALITY ///
We have put forward our demands very clearly: that
Taiwan's new leader accept the one-China principle
unequivocally and (state clearly) that they are
Chinese and also promise to seek the goal of national
reunification.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
Mr. Chen is being beset at home as well as in China.
Conflicting statements by his aides on the meaning of
his pledge to adhere to the 1992 consensus have
provoked confusion in Taipei and accusations that he
is giving away too much to Beijing. One Taiwanese
official said Wednesday that Mr. Chen's move
represents a new statement of goodwill toward China.
Another denied that it represents any shift in
Taiwan's policy toward the mainland. (signed)
NEB/HK/RW/JO
29-Jun-2000 05:43 AM EDT (29-Jun-2000 0943 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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