DATE=10/19/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TAIWAN - CHINA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-255209
BYLINE=DERRICK MCELHERON
DATELINE=TAIPEI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The government of Taiwan is rejecting
statements made by Chinese President Jiang Zemin, that
China's reunification with the island will be achieved
in the first half of the next century, under the same
terms as the handover of Hong Kong. As Derrick
McElheron reports from Taipei, Taiwanese officials are
calling President Jiang's remarks insignificant for
the island.
TEXT: Taiwan's President Lee Teng Hui has dismissed
Chinese President Jiang's remarks on reunification as
"a lie," saying the island will not officially respond
to the proposal. President Lee made the comments
Tuesday while overseeing reconstruction efforts, as
the country rebuilds from last month's devastating
earthquake.
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council Chairman, Su Chi,
also rejected President Jiang's proposal, as
impractical and said Beijing's leaders should
concentrate their efforts on the democratization of
their own system.
Mr. Su added that the future of cross-Strait relations
cannot be determined unilaterally.
The remarks from President Lee and from Taiwan's
leading spokesman on relations with China, came
shortly after a report in the British newspaper, The
Times of London. The paper quoted President Jiang as
saying that China will be reunified in the first half
of the next century and it will follow the Hong Kong
formula of "one country, two systems."
The article quotes President Jiang as saying China has
succeeded in maintaining stability and prosperity in
Hong Kong and that prosperity will serve as a
significant example to resolve the question of Taiwan.
President Jiang also told the British newspaper the
United States could improve its relations with China
if it would stop selling arms to Taiwan.
The U-S Congress is currently discussing a bill to
allow new exports of arms to Taiwan.
China considers Taiwan to be a breakaway province and
has threatened to invade the island if Taipei abandons
its stated goal of reunifying with China and declares
itself independent. (SIGNED)
NEB/DM/FC/PLM
19-Oct-1999 02:24 AM EDT (19-Oct-1999 0624 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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