MAC CHIEF URGES E.U. NOT TO LIFT BAN ON ARMS SALE TO CHINA
Central News Agency
2006-01-17 15:13:20
Berlin, Jan. 16 (CNA) Mainland Affairs Council Minister Joseph Wu urged the European Union not to lift its arms embargo against China before Beijing "gives in" to allow cross-Taiwan Strait problems to be addressed in a peaceful manner.
Wu made the appeal in an interview with the German daily "Handelsblatt" during his whirlwind visit to Berlin Jan. 11. The interview appeared in the newspaper's Monday edition.
Wu said that if the E.U. removes the ban before China promises to give in on the question of the reunification of Taiwan and China, this will send the "wrong signal" to Beijing which has deployed a total of 780 missiles targeting Taiwan.
The minister stressed that a severe situation still exists in the Taiwan Strait region, with China's passage of its "Anti-Secession Law" last year to allow for the use of military force against Taiwan.
He also noted that despite the fact that East Asian countries have been concerned about China's rise, they have still failed to formulate a common strategy to deal with the situation. "We have been cautious in boosting contacts with Japan" in order to avoid any negative effects on cross-strait ties, Wu said.
Talking about investments of Taiwan businesses in China, Wu said the fact that over half of Taiwan's total overseas investments went to China has made "Taiwan greatly dependent on China."
Wu made a one-day stop in Berlin during his trip to Europe Jan. 9-13. During his European visit, Wu held talks with officials and scholars of think tanks on issues concerning cross-strait relations and political developments in Taiwan.
(By Lin Yu-li & Elizabeth Hsu)
ENDITEM/Li
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