DATE=2/22/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TAIWAN / CHINA-UPDATE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259426
BYLINE=GRACE CUTLER
DATELINE=HONG KONG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In the face of new threats from China, Taiwan
on Tuesday defiantly insisted it should be declared an
independent state. As Grace Cutler reports from the
VOA Asia News Center, officials in Taiwan say tensions
across the strait will remain as long as Beijing
refuses to acknowledge that Taiwan is a separate
state.
TEXT: The vice chairman of the mainland affairs
council, Lin Chong-pin, told reporters in a brief news
conference in Taipei that Beijing should be more
flexible in solving differences in cross-strait
relations. He said that Communist China's continual
denial of the existence of the Republic of China --
Taiwan's official government -- will create more
disagreement. He added that as long as Beijing
refuses to recognize that China is split and that
Taiwan has a separate government, tensions will
remain.
Mr. Lin's comments come one day after China released
an eleven hundred word official report (White Paper)
on relations between the two sides. Many analysts in
Taiwan say Beijing's move is an act of intimidation as
Taiwan prepares for presidential elections next month.
A spokesman in Taiwan's foreign ministry, Henry Chen,
called on Beijing to stop attempting to intimidate
Taiwan. Responding to one of the assertions in the
report from Beijing - that Taiwan is attempting to
create "two Chinas" by expanding its international
contacts -- Mr. Chen said the island state has a right
to expand its diplomatic ties and to actively
participate in international groups and activities.
The Taiwan defense ministry also responded to the
report, saying it will continue to strengthen the
island's military capability.
Shortly after the report was issued by Beijing, Taiwan
state radio announced that the island will receive a
delivery of U-S made Avenger missiles and 61 launchers
next week. (Signed)
NEB/GC/KL
22-Feb-2000 08:58 AM EDT (22-Feb-2000 1358 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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