DATE=9/21/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-TAIWAN QUAKE (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254128
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: China has promised aid to victims of a massive
earthquake that killed more than 14-hundred people in
Taiwan early Tuesday. VOA correspondent Roger
Wilkison reports Chinese president Jiang Zemin has
extended his condolences and says Beijing is ready to
provide whatever assistance is necessary.
TEXT: A spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry
says President Jiang is extremely concerned with the
disaster that struck Taiwan. Speaking through an
interpreter, Zhang Qiyue, says Mr. Jiang vowed Beijing
will provide all assistance within its capabilities to
lessen the suffering of the victims.
/// INTERPRETER ACTUALITY ///
President Jiang Zemin, in his remarks, said that
Taiwan compatriots are our compatriots and their
sufferings are the concern of all the Chinese
people. We're ready to provide all assistance
to mitigate the losses caused by this
earthquake.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
China regards Taiwan as part of its own territory in
spite of the island's 50 years of de facto
independence. Beijing has vowed to invade Taiwan if
it moves to declare formal independence. But Ms.
Zhang says the earthquake and the cross-strait dispute
are two separate matters. Whereas China usually
protests strongly if a country that recognizes Beijing
makes any kind of official contact with Taiwan, Ms.
Zhang indicated that policy does not apply to
earthquake relief.
/// INTERPRETER ACTUALITY ///
With regard to international non-governmental
and some governmental organizations' assistance
provided to Taiwan and the expressions and the
messages, we express our gratitude.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
The foreign ministry spokeswoman says the semi-
official Chinese agency that deals with cross-strait
relations and the Chinese Red Cross have asked their
Taiwanese counterparts to provide information on what
kind of assistance is needed. Beijing's official
Xinhua news agency says the Chinese Red Cross is ready
to give 100-thousand dollars in funds and 40-thousand
dollars in materials to the quake victims.
It is not clear whether the Taiwanese government
will accept Beijing's offer of assistance. Taiwan
bans any direct cross-strait transportation links
between the island and China. (Signed)
NEB/RW/FC/LTD/KL
21-Sep-1999 07:19 AM EDT (21-Sep-1999 1119 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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