DATE=2/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA / U-S / TAIWAN (L)
NUMBER=2-258737
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: China has summoned the U-S ambassador to
complain about the approval of legislation in the
House of Representatives that would strengthen U-S
military ties with Taiwan. VOA correspondent Roger
Wilkison reports Beijing says the congressional
measure will fuel pro-independence sentiment on the
island China insists is a rebel province.
TEXT: A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman says
Vice-Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi called in U-S
ambassador Joseph Prueher and protested the House's
adoption of the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act.
Spokesman Zhu Bangzao -- speaking through an
interpreter -- says the measure violates U-S-China
agreements whereby Washington recognizes the Beijing
authorities as the sole government of China and
acknowledges that Taiwan is part of China.
/// INTERPRETER ACTUALITY ///
It is a gross violation of Chinese sovereignty
and interference in China's internal affairs and
will give rise to "one China, one Taiwan." The
Chinese government and people would like hereby
to express their strong indignation and
opposition toward this.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
In Beijing's eyes, Taiwan is a rebel province that
must eventually be reunified with China. Although the
mainland and the island have been ruled separately for
50 years, Beijing says it will use force if Taiwan
formally declares independence.
That threat of force by Beijing is what prompted U-S
lawmakers to approve the bill boosting U-S military
ties with the island by a vote of 341 to 70. The
measure would establish closer cooperation and
communication between the U-S and Taiwanese armed
forces, expand U-S training of Taiwanese officers, and
require the Defense Department to report to Congress
annually on threats to Taiwan's security. The Clinton
administration has voiced its strong opposition to the
legislation.
China is demanding that the U-S administration take
measures to prevent the legislation from becoming law.
Mr. Zhu calls the congressional action a concoction by
anti-China lawmakers who want to sabotage China's
reunification with the island.
/// INTERPRETER ACTUALITY ///
It will only give rise to tensions across the
Taiwan Straits. It will not be beneficial to
peace and stability in Asia-Pacific, and it will
constitute a serious undermining factor to the
relations between China and the United States.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
The spokesman says Mr. Yang described the
congressional measure as an attempt to provide a legal
basis for Washington's sale of sophisticated weapons
to Taiwan. China has demanded that the United States
stop such sales. U-S-China agreements call for an
eventual halt to U-S arms deliveries to the island,
but a 1979 U-S law says Washington must provide
defensive weapons to Taiwan to guarantee its security.
(Signed)
NEB/RW/KL
02-Feb-2000 09:54 AM EDT (02-Feb-2000 1454 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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