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December

• CHEN DRIVES HOME TO WORLD BEIJING'S MILITARY THREAT TO TAIWAN: VP CNA 31 Dec 2003 -- Without spending a cent, President Chen Shui-bian has succeeded in drawing worldwide attention to Beijing's military threat against Taiwan by calling for a referendum on the threat, Vice President Annette Lu said Wednesday in Taoyuan, northern Taiwan.
• OFFICIAL HAILS INTERNATIONAL CONCERN ABOUT REFERENDUM CNA 31 Dec 2003 -- International concern about Taiwan's plan to hold a referendum has a positive effect on Taiwan as it offers opportunities for Taiwan to explain its stance, a senior Presidential Office said Wednesday.
• REFERENDUM LAW TO TAKE EFFECT JAN. 2 CNA 31 Dec 2003 -- The newly passed Referendum Law will take effect Jan. 2, 2004 after President Chen Shui-bian promulgated it Wednesday.
• CHINA-TAIWAN VOA 31 Dec 2003 -- Taiwan's president has signed a law legalizing referendums - clearing the way for a March vote on whether to demand that China stop pointing missiles at the island. China's communist leaders have blasted the move.
• TAIWAN WILL COMMUNICATE WITH U.S., JAPAN OVER REFERENDUM: OFFICIAL CNA 30 Dec 2003 -- Taiwan has no intention of changing the status quo across the Taiwan Strait through its "defensive referendum" and will continue to communicate with the United States and Japan over the issue, Executive Yuan spokesman Lin Chia-lung said Tuesday.
• TAIWAN-US MILITARY EXCHANGES UNCHANGED OVER REFERENDUM ISSUE CNA 30 Dec 2003 -- Minister of National Defense Tang Yiau-min said Tuesday that military exchanges between Taiwan and the United States remain normal and stable despite the recent concern on the part of the United States over the referendum issue.
• LEGISLATURE CALLS FOR U.N. HELP TO PUSH BEIJING TO REMOVE MISSILES CNA 30 Dec 2003 -- The opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan passed a resolution Tuesday urging the United Nations to demand that mainland China not target its hundreds of missiles at Taiwan.
• TAIWAN SINCERE ABOUT DISCUSSING REFERENDUM ISSUE WITH OTHER NATIONS CNA 30 Dec 2003 -- Taiwan is sincere in its willingness to communicate with the United States, Japan, and even rival mainland China on the referendum issue, the Presidential Office spokesman said Tuesday.
• POLITICAL DIFFERENCES WITH U.S. TO BE SORTED OUT: OFFICIAL CNA 29 Dec 2003 -- The differences between Taipei and Washington over Taiwan's forthcoming referendum will be sorted out, the country's representative to Washington, Chen Chien-jen, said here Monday.
• BEIJING'S RETICENCE KEEPS CHARTER FLIGHTS GROUNDED: PREMIER CNA 29 Dec 2003 -- Charter flight services between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait during Chinese Lunar New Year have yet to get off the ground because mainland China refuses to discuss the issue, Premier Yu Shyi-kun said Monday.
• MISGIVINGS ABOUT 'DEFENSIVE REFERENDUM" GREATLY ASSUAGED: PREMIER CNA 29 Dec 2003 -- Premier Yu Shyi-kun said Monday that the international community's misgivings about Taiwan holding a "defensive referendum" have been "greatly assuaged" and that the government will continue to communicate with other countries on the matter.
• DPP TO REDRESS FLAWED REFERENDUM BILL AFTER PRESIDENT'S PROMULGATION CNA 27 Dec 2003 -- President Chen Shui-bian will promulgate the referendum bill next week, and the legislative caucus will immediately take a three-pronged approach to redress what the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) calls a flawed bill, a DPP legislator said Saturday.
• KINMEN RESIDENTS FLUNK 'MINI THREE LINKS' POLICY IN SURVEY CNA 27 Dec 2003 -- Residents of the outlying island of Kinmen have given the government's "mini three links" policy with mainland China a failing grade three years after its implementation, a survey released Saturday showed.
• BEIJING URGED TO TAKE ACTION TO CONTRIBUTE TO CROSS-STRAIT PEACE CNA 26 Dec 2003 -- The government is happy to see that both sides of the Taiwan Strait think highly of Taiwan businessmen, but hopes that mainland China will take substantive action to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait, Presidential Office Secretary-General Chiou I-jen said Friday.
• BEIJING 'SOFT' APPROACH CANNOT HIDE MISSILES TARGETING TAIWAN CNA 26 Dec 2003 -- The public should be on guard against mainland China's "united front" tactics, as its latest "soft" approach toward Taiwan cannot conceal the fact that it has deployed nearly 500 missiles targeting Taiwan, a government official said Friday.
• BEIJING HAS NO RIGHT TO TALK ABOUT CROSS-STRAIT PEACE: DPP CNA 26 Dec 2003 -- If mainland China refuses to remove the missiles it has aimed at Taiwan, it has no right to speak of cross-strait peace and reconciliation, Chen Chi-mai, secretary general of the legislative caucus of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said Friday.
• DEFENSIVE REFERENDUM PROMPTS E.U. TO CONTINUE M'LAND ARMS SALE BAN: LU CNA 26 Dec 2003 -- Vice President Annette Lu claimed Friday that President Chen Shui-bian's plan to hold a "defensive referendum" has helped prompt the European Union to continue its ban on arms sales to mainland China.
• JAPAN STUDIED FEASIBILITY OF TWO-CHINA POLICY IN 1960S: DOCUMENT CNA 24 Dec 2003 -- Japan paid much attention to the cross-Taiwan Strait question in the 1960s and looked into the possibility of adopting a "two-China" policy, according to a confidential document released Wednesday by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• CLAIM THAT PRESIDENT BLEW COVER OF SPIES IN MAINLAND UNTRUE: VP LU CNA 24 Dec 2003 -- Vice President Annette Lu said Wednesday that President Chen Shui-bian's remark on the number of ballistic missiles in mainland China targeting Taiwan had not tipped off the mainland to the whereabouts of Taiwan spies; rather, it was a successful stroke of " defensive diplomacy."
• CHINA-TAIWAN SPIES VOA 24 Dec 2003 -- China's state-run news agency, Xinhua, confirmed on Wednesday that mainland authorities have arrested 24 Taiwanese and 19 mainland citizens accused of spying for Taiwan.
• U.S. NEEDS FURTHER EXPLANATION ON REFERENDUM: ROC FOREIGN MINISTER CNA 23 Dec 2003 -- Republic of China Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien reiterated Tuesday that Taiwan and the United States have very smooth communication channels but admitted that there are difficulties getting the message across regarding referendum issues.
• U.S. SPOKESMAN HAS NO COMMENT ON ROC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES' REMARKS CNA 23 Dec 2003 -- U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher refused to comment Monday on statements made over the weekend by Taiwan presidential candidates regarding cross-strait relations but reiterated that Washington hopes to see peaceful dialogue between the two sides of the strait.
• DEFENSE MINISTRY DENIES SPY NETWORK CRACKED BY BEIJING CNA 23 Dec 2003 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) denied Tuesday that its spy network in mainland China had been cracked by Beijing.
• MIB DENIES TAIWAN SPIES ARRESTED IN MAINLAND CHINA: LAWMAKER CNA 22 Dec 2003 -- Both the Ministry of National Defense (MND) and the Military Intelligence Bureau (MIB) have denied that any of their spies have been arrested in the mainland since President Chen Shui-bian announced that Beijing has 496 missiles aimed at Taiwan, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Wen-chung said Monday.
• SPY RING BUST REPORT DISMISSED AS ILL-MOTIVATED CNA 22 Dec 2003 -- Government authorities dismissed as an "ill-motivated rumor" a Hong Kong press report Monday that mainland China had uncovered a huge Taiwan spy ring following the revelation by President Chen Shui-bian of the exact number of mainland Chinese ballistic missiles aimed at locations in Taiwan.
• CHINA/U-S/TAIWAN VOA 21 Dec 2003 -- China has reiterated to the United States that it will never accept Taiwan independence, and has pledged to work for a peaceful reunification with the island.
• LEGISLATURE REJECTS REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF REFERENDUM BILL CNA 19 Dec 2003 -- The opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan rejected the Executive Yuan's request to reconsider the newly enacted Referendum Bill Friday evening, dealing another blow to the administration of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
• TAIWAN NEEDS TO DEVELOP PRE-EMPTIVE MISSILE ATTACK ABILITY: DPP CNA 19 Dec 2003 -- A report said Friday that Taiwan must establish a pre-emptive missile attack ability as the military balance of the Taiwan Strait is gradually tilting toward mainland China.
• Ambiguity a risky cross-strait stance Taiwan Journal 19 Dec 2003 -- The government of the United States has been careful in the past not to make too clear-cut a position statement on the Taiwan issue, though it has repeated its firm resolve to defend the country against any external aggression.
• China issues document on policy of "three direct links" across Taiwan Straits PLA Daily 18 Dec 2003 -- The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council Wednesday issued a document on China's policy on direct links in mail, transport and trade across the Taiwan Straits.
• Policy on "three direct links" across the Taiwan Straits PLA Daily 18 Dec 2003 -- The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council Wednesday issued a document on China's policy on direct links in mail, transport and trade across the Taiwan Straits. Following is the full text of the document, titled "Actively and Realistically Promote 'Three Direct Links' Across the Taiwan Straits by Reliance on the People and in the Interests of the People"
• VP DEFENDS PRESIDENT'S CALL FOR `DEFENSIVE REFERENDUM' CNA 18 Dec 2003 -- Vice President Annette Lu defended Thursday President Chen Shui-bian's call for a "defensive referendum" on Beijing's missile threat against Taiwan and rebutted claims that Chen might use the referendum as a move toward Taiwan independence.
• REFERENDUM AGAINST BEIJING'S MISSILE THREAT NOT PROVOCATIVE: MAC CNA 18 Dec 2003 -- President Chen Shui-bian's intention to hold a "defensive referendum" on the subject of Beijing's missile threat is not provocative, the head of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Thursday.
• U.S. DISMISSES SUGGESTIONS ABOUT REPRISAL FOR TAIWAN REFERENDUM CNA 18 Dec 2003 -- A State Department official dismissed as "irresponsible rumors" suggestions in Taipei that Washington could downgrade its ties with Taiwan if the country goes ahead with a referendum in spite of U.S. disapproval.
• MILITARY TO RESPOND TO MAINLAND ACTION IN LINE WITH COMBAT RULES: MND CNA 18 Dec 2003 -- The ROC armed forces will respond to any mainland Chinese military action in line with relevant combat regulations, Defense Minister Tang Yiau-min said Thursday.
• MOFA TO CONTINUE TO COMMUNICATE WITH U.S. ON 'DEFENSIVE REFERENDUM' CNA 18 Dec 2003 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Thursday that it has published and distributed position papers on the "defensive referendum" and will continue to communicate with the United States on the issue.
• JAPAN STILL WATCHING ATTITUDE OF U.S. TOWARD REFERENDUM: ROC ENVOY CNA 18 Dec 2003 -- Japan is still observing how the United States is reacting to the planned referendum by Taiwan and is not expected to express its stance on the issue any time soon, ROC Representative to Japan Lo Fu-chuan said Thursday.
• KMT CHAIRMAN VOWS TO PUSH FOR CROSS-STRAIT ARMAMENT CONTROL TALKS CNA 18 Dec 2003 -- Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan, who is also the "pan-blue alliance's" standard-bearer for the 2004 presidential election, said Thursday that if he wins the presidency, he will push for cross-Taiwan Strait armament control talks.
• DPP PUSHING RESOLUTION APPEALING TO U.N. FOR M'LAND MISSILE WITHDRAWAL CNA 18 Dec 2003 -- Legislators of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said Thursday that they will urge the Legislative Yuan to pass a resolution appealing to the United Nations that mainland China withdraw its missiles aimed at Taiwan.
• BEIJING TO DEPLOY MORE MISSILES AGAINST TAIWAN: VICE PRESIDENT CNA 17 Dec 2003 -- The number of missiles deployed by Beijing targeting Taiwan will eventually increase to 880, Vice President Annette Lu said Wednesday.
• REFERENDUM TO BE SCRAPPED IF BEIJING WITHDRAWS MISSILES: PRESIDENT CNA 17 Dec 2003 -- President Chen Shui-bian said in a recent interview with the Financial Times that if mainland China agrees to withdraw missiles aimed at Taiwan and renounces the use of force against Taiwan, a referendum planned for March 20 can be canceled.
• CHINA'S MISSILES AIMED AT TAIWAN HEIGHTEN TENSIONS: U.S. OFFICIAL CNA 17 Dec 2003 -- U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher on Tuesday refused to comment on the Taiwan vice president's criticism of mainland China's missiles aimed at the island as a form of "state terrorism" but said that Washington has always considered such deployment as heightening cross-strait tensions.
• CHINA-TAIWAN VOA 17 Dec 2003 -- China says it will make preparations to crush any attempts by Taiwan to more toward independence. Officials accused the Taiwan leader of gambling with the island's stability.
• CHINA-TAIWAN VOA 16 Dec 2003 -- China is calling remarks by Taiwan's Vice President unreasonable after the Taiwanese official said the mainland is resorting to terrorist tactics by keeping hundreds of missiles pointed at the island. The exchange is the latest in an escalating war of words over the future of Taiwan.
• DPP VIEW OF TAIWAN ISSUE COINCIDES WITH THAT OF U.S. CNA 16 Dec 2003 -- President Chen Shui-bian was quoted as saying at a meeting of his ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Tuesday that the party's view of the Taiwan issue coincides with that of the United States.
• SEF OFFICIAL PREDICTS RESUMPTION OF CROSS-STRAIT TALKS CNA 16 Dec 2003 -- The two sides of the Taiwan Strait will resume talks after the next March 20 presidential election, an official of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) predicted Tuesday.
• NO TIMETABLE ON CROSS-STRAIT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: KMT CHAIRMAN CNA 16 Dec 2003 -- The opposition "pan-blue alliance" has no timetable on any changes in the political landscape across the Taiwan Strait or the development of cross-strait relations, Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan said Tuesday.
• LEGISLATURE PASSES RESOLUTIONS DEMANDING M'LAND DISMANTLE MISSILES CNA 16 Dec 2003 -- The Legislative Yuan on Tuesday passed two separate resolutions demanding that mainland China dismantle the nearly 500 missiles deployed along its southeast coast that are aimed at Taiwan.
• CHINA-TAIWAN VOA 16 Dec 2003 -- China is calling remarks by Taiwan's Vice President unreasonable after the Taiwanese official said the mainland is resorting to terrorist tactics by keeping hundreds of missiles pointed at the island. The exchange is the latest in an escalating war of words over the future of Taiwan.
• MORE FLIGHTS SET TO FLY TO AND FROM MAINLAND DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR CNA 15 Dec 2003 -- Local carriers have lined up 60 extra flights between Taiwan and Hong Kong, or Taiwan and Macau during the Chinese Lunar New Year to serve Taiwan businessmen in the mainland in light of the fact that the plan for charter flights between Shanghai and Taiwan is still surrounded by uncertainty.
• NO ZERO-SUM GAME IN U.S. DEALING WITH CROSS-STRAIT AFFAIRS: MINISTER CNA 15 Dec 2003 -- Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien said Monday progress in Washington-Beijing relations doesn't mean a retreat in Taiwan-U.S. relations.
• LEGISLATURE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION URGING BEIJING TO DISMANTLE MISSILES CNA 15 Dec 2003 -- The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) , the opposition Kuomintang and the People First Party each has their own proposal.
• LAWMAKERS TO URGE BEIJING TO DISMANTLE MISSILES TARGETING TAIWAN CNA 14 Dec 2003 -- Lawmakers of various political parties have introduced resolutions separately to ask Beijing to dismantle its deployment of missiles targeting Taiwan, officials of the Legislative Yuan said Sunday.
• DEFENSE MINISTRY DENIES REPORT THAT MILITARY LEADERS OPPOSE REFERENDUM CNA 14 Dec 2003 -- The Ministry of National Defense denied Sunday that leaders of the armed forces did not support President Chen Shui-bian's call for a referendum on Beijing's military threat against Taiwan.
• CHINESE PREMIER FEARS IMPACT OF TAIWAN REFERENDUM ON MAINLAND: VP LU CNA 14 Dec 2003 -- Mainland Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's opposition to Taiwan's referendum plan is because the Beijing regime is afraid that such a democratic event could have a profound impact on its power base, Vice President Annette Lu said Sunday.
• PRESIDENT CHEN PUTS FORTH THREE QUESTIONS TO MAINLAND PRESIDENT CNA 13 Dec 2003 -- President Chen Shui-bian put forward three questions to mainland Chinese President Hu Jintao Saturday in a speech delivered at a national congress of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
• DPP CONFIRMS CHEN, LU AS PARTY'S CANDIDATES FOR NEXT ELECTION CNA 13 Dec 2003 -- The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Saturday confirmed Chen Shui-bian and Annette Lu as the party's presidential and vice presidential candidates for the March 20, 2004, election at a party congress.
• KMT POLL FINDS MORE THAN 40% OPPOSED TO 'DEFENSIVE REFERENDUM' CNA 13 Dec 2003 -- More than 40 percent of the respondents in a recent survey commissioned by the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) said they are opposed to the president's plan to hold a "defensive referendum" on the day of the next presidential election, a KMT official said Saturday.
• OPPOSITION TICKET'S SUPPORT RATING SLIPS SLIGHTLY: KMT POLL CNA 13 Dec 2003 -- The support rating for the opposition "pan-blue alliance" presidential election ticket is still higher than that of the ruling party, although the margin has narrowed since last week, according to the results of the latest Kuomintang (KMT) poll released Saturday.
• TAIWAN OFFICIAL IN U.S. TO GAIN UNDERSTANDING OF BUSH-WEN MEETING CNA 13 Dec 2003 -- A senior Taiwan security official is currently in Washington, D.C. to gain a first-hand understanding of the details of the recent meeting between U.S. President George W. Bush and mainland Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, sources said Friday.
• BUSH URGED TO RECONSIDER POSITION ON TAIWAN REFERENDUM CNA 13 Dec 2003 -- The leaders of the U.S. Congressional Taiwan Caucus have urged President Bush to reconsider his opposition to a referendum in Taiwan that would allow its citizens to voice their opposition to mainland China's military threat to their country.
• NO PROGRESS ON RECONSIDERATION OF REFERENDUM BILL IN LEGISLATURE KCNA 12 Dec 2003 -- The Executive Yuan's request for the Legislative Yuan to reconsider part of the recently passed referendum bill was delivered to the legislature Friday, but talks among political parties at the Legislative Yuan over when to gather to respond went nowhere.
• TAIWAN WANTS WRITTEN RESPONSE FROM MAINLAND OVER CHARTER FLIGHTS KCNA 12 Dec 2003 -- Taiwan prefers a written response from the mainland over negotiations about charter flights between Taiwan and Shanghai during the Chinese Lunar New Year, a mainland affairs official said Friday.
• U.S. DOES NOT OPPOSE TAIWAN'S REFERENDUM PLAN: TSU LAWMAKER KCNA 12 Dec 2003 -- The United States is not opposed to Taiwan holding a referendum but concerned about the issues to be put to a referendum, an opposition Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) lawmaker said Friday.
• SWISS JUSTICE MINISTRY RESERVED ON SIGNING AGREEMENT WITH TAIWAN KCNA 12 Dec 2003 -- A Swiss Ministry of Justice spokesman maintained a reserved attitude when asked about Taiwan's hopes of signing a judicial assistance agreement with his country, saying Switzerland could not possibly sign such agreements with every single country.
• "Defensive referendum" aims at changing the status quo across the Taiwan Strait PLA Daily 12 Dec 2003 -- Chen Shui-bian, by nature, is the kind of man who doesn't care about belying his words with his acts, either will he care about keeping his words or about being totally unreasonable.
• US CONGRESSWOMAN CRITICIZES BUSH REFERENDUM REMARKS CNA 11 Dec 2003 -- Representative Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader at the U, S. House of Representatives criticized President George Bush Thursday for opposing a possible referendum in Taiwan on demanding removal of Chinese missiles pointed at Taiwan.
• BEIJING OBSTRUCTING TAIWAN'S DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT: MAC HEAD CNA 11 Dec 2003 -- Beijing is obstructing Taiwan's democratic development by deploying nearly 500 missiles targeting the island and intentionally distorting the intent behind President Chen Shui-bian's plan to hold a referendum and reform the Constitution, Taiwan's top mainland policy planner said Thursday.
• BEIJING WANTS TO CHANGE TAIWAN'S STATUS: ROC PRESIDENT CNA 11 Dec 2003 -- President Chen Shui-bian said Thursday that mainland China wants to change Taiwan's status by deploying missiles targeting the island, intimidating it, and trying to make it a part of China, like Hong Kong.
• TAIWAN REFERENDUM WILL HELP BOLSTER REGIONAL PEACE: PRESIDENT CNA 11 Dec 2003 -- Taiwan's plan to hold a referendum in March next year is aimed at helping bolster peace in the Asia-Pacific region, President Chen Shui-bian said Thursday.
• EXECUTIVE YUAN ASKS LEGISLATIVE YUAN TO RECONSIDER REFERENDUM BILL CNA 11 Dec 2003 -- The Executive Yuan formally asked the Legislative Yuan Thursday to reconsider part of the referendum bill railroaded through the Legislative Yuan by the opposition parties Nov. 27.
• REFERENDUM PLAN TALLIES WITH U.S. VALUES: PRESIDENT CNA 11 Dec 2003 -- President Chen Shui-bian said Thursday that the United States should support Taiwan's drive to consolidate its young democracy and should push Beijing to publicly renounce the use of force against Taiwan.
• PRESIDENT CHEN THANKS BUSH FOR SECURITY COMMITMENT TO TAIWAN CNA 11 Dec 2003 -- President Chen Shui-bian thanked U.S. President George W. Bush in an interview with Cable News Network (CNN) Thursday for his support for Taiwan's security.
• MAC OFFICIAL SEES NO CHANGE IN U.S. POSITION ON CROSS-STRAIT TIES CNA 11 Dec 2003 -- Mainland Affairs Council Vice Chairman Chen Ming-tung said Wednesday that from the remarks U.S. government leaders made during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's recent visit to Washington, he sees no change in the basic position of the United States on cross-Taiwan Strait relations.
• TAIWAN / CHINA / U-S VOA 11 Dec 2003 -- China is thanking President Bush for his support in opposing Taiwan's plans to hold a March referendum that could open the possibility of independence.
• CHINA-TAIWAN VOA 10 Dec 2003 -- David Michael Lampton, Professor and Director of China Studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and Director of China Studies at the Nixon Center, discusses U.S. relations with both Mainland China and Taiwan.
• TAIWAN REFERENDUM: CRITICISM OF U.S.' 'TWO-FACED' ATTITUDE US Dept. of State IIP, Foreign media Reaction 10 Dec 2003
• U.S.: Bush Offers Concession On Taiwan To Visiting Chinese Premier RFE/RL 10 Dec 2003 -- U.S. President George W. Bush offered a key concession on Taiwan yesterday when he welcomed Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to the White House for their first-ever meeting.
• Bush Reaffirms U.S. Commitment to One-China Policy Washington File 09 Dec 2003 -- President Bush, appearing in a photo opportunity with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on December 9, said the United States remains committed to a one-China policy and opposes "any unilateral decision by either China or Taiwan to change the status quo."
• Bush Drops "Ambiguity" To Preserve Peace in the Taiwan Strait Washington File 09 Dec 2003 -- In remarks during a photo opportunity with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao December 9, President Bush said the United States opposes any unilateral decision by either China or Taiwan to change the status quo, and noted that comments and actions made by the leader of Taiwan, Chen Shui-bian, indicate that Chen may be willing to make such decisions unilaterally.
• REFERENDUM IS TO MAINTAIN PEACE IN TAIWAN STRAIT: ROC PRESIDENT CNA 10 Dec 2003 -- President Chen Shui-bian said Wednesday that his plan to call a "defensive referendum" on the day of the presidential election next March 20 is to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait area.
• POLITICAL PARTIES MIXED AT BUSH'S WORDS ON TAIWAN'S REFERENDUM PLAN CNA 10 Dec 2003 -- U. S. President George W. Bush's recent talks on Taiwan's plan to hold a "defensive referendum" was met with mixed reactions Wednesday among lawmakers of various political parties.
• BASIC TONE OF U.S. POLICY TOWARD TAIWAN REMAINS UNCHANGED: MOFA CNA 10 Dec 2003 -- The basic tone of the U.S. policy toward the Taiwan Strait issue has remained unchanged after a meeting between U.S. President George W. Bush and mainland Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien said Wednesday.
• U.S. WILL INTERVENE IN CASE OF MAINLAND CHINA ATTACK: U.S. OFFICIAL CNA 10 Dec 2003 -- The United States will stick to its pledge to help Taiwan defend itself should Beijing use force against Taiwan, a senior U.S. official said Tuesday.
• BEIJING `TWISTING' TAIWAN'S REFERENDUM PLAN: DPP OFFICIAL CNA 10 Dec 2003 -- Taiwan cannot accept Beijing's "twisted rhetoric" about its plan to hold a referendum, and the Taiwan people will continue to display their determination to pursue peace through democratic practices, an official of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said Wednesday.
• TAIWAN WILL CONTINUE TO COMMUNICATE WITH U.S. OVER REFERENDUM ISSUE CNA 10 Dec 2003 -- The Republic of China's representative to the United States said Tuesday that Taiwan will continue to communicate with the United States on the referendum issue.
• PLANS FOR 'PREVENTIVE' REFERENDUM NOT AFFECTED BY BUSH-WEN TALKS CNA 10 Dec 2003 -- Taiwan's plans to hold a "preventive" referendum in the face of mainland China's military threat will not be changed as a result of Tuesday's meeting between mainland Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and U.S. President George W. Bush, the Executive Yuan spokesman said Wednesday.
• CHEN URGES WORLD NOT TO ACCEPT CHINA'S MISSILE THREAT AGAINST TAIWAN CNA 10 Dec 2003 --President Chen Shui-bian urged the world Wednesday not to accept mainland China's missile deployment against Taiwan as a matter of course.
• US president opposes Taiwan leader's efforts to seek independence PLA Daily 10 Dec 2003 -- US President George W. Bush said Tuesday that the United States opposes the efforts made by the leader of Taiwan to seek independence.
• CHINA TAIWAN US VOA 10 Dec 2003 -- Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian says he will push ahead with a referendum, a day after the United States warned him against any moves that could lead toward independence from China.
• BUSH CHINA VOA 09 Dec 2003 -- President Bush says he opposes any action by Taiwan's leaders to declare their independence from China. Mr. Bush spoke at the White House during an official visit by China's Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.
• PRESIDENT STICKS TO REFERENDUM DESPITE U.S. DISAPPROVAL CNA 09 Dec 2003 -- President Chen Shui-bian reiterated his determination Tuesday to hold an unprecedented national referendum on March 20, despite news from Washington that the United States disapproves of such a move.
• CHINESE MISSILES POSE BIGGEST THREAT TO SITUATION IN TAIWAN STRAIT CNA 09 Dec 2003 -- The nearly 500 ballistic missiles deployed by mainland China targeting Taiwan pose the biggest threat to stability in the Taiwan Strait, a spokesman for the Presidential Office said Tuesday.
• TAIWAN / REFERENDUM VOA 08 Dec 2003 -- Taiwan's cabinet says it will try to repeal parts of a new referendum law that was watered down by too many compromises. The law has raised tension between Taiwan and China, which fears that Taiwan will use that law to move toward full independence.
• Chen promises more weapon procurement from US if reelected China Daily 07 Dec 2003 -- During his recent "stopover" in America, Chen Shui-bian promised that his top priority upon reelection is to purchase PAC 3 anti-ballistic missile from the United States, experts on cross-Straits affairs from Washington revealed.
• CHEN VOWS TO LET PEOPLE EXPRESS SENTIMENT AGAINST WAR THRU REFERENDUM CNA 07 Dec 2003 -- President Chen Shui-bian vowed to let the Taiwan people's sentiment against Beijing's military threat and its missiles directed at the island be expressed through a referendum on the day of the presidential election next March 20.
• KMT CHAIRMAN'S 'ARMS CONTROL TALKS' PROPOSAL RIDICULED BY DPP GOV'T CNA 07 Dec 2003 -- Executive Yuan spokesman Lin Chia-lung said Sunday that the "cross-strait arms control talks" proposed by opposition Kuomintang Chairman Lien Chan as one of his presidential election campaign promises could only lead Taiwan into a perilous situation.
• REFERENDUM AIMED AT URGING BEJING TO WITHDRAW MISSILES: PRESIDENT CNA 06 Dec 2003 -- President Chen Shui-bian said in an interview with the New York Times Friday that his administration's plan to hold a referendum next March is aimed at urging mainland China to withdraw its ballistic missiles targeting Taiwan and to renounce the use of force against the island.
• BILL SETS HIGH THRESHOLD FOR PEOPLE TO INITIATE REFERENDUM: EX-DPP HEAD CNA 06 Dec 2003 -- Former chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Lin Yi-hsiung on Saturday continued to criticize the referendum bill for setting too high a threshold for the people to initiate a referendum.
• PRESIDENT CHEN TELLS NY TIMES REFERENDUM NOT INVOLVING INDEPENDENCE CNA 06 Dec 2003 -- President Chen Shui-bian Friday told reporters of the New York Times that he planned a referendum next March calling on China to withdraw ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan and demanding that China renounce the use of force against the island, and the planned referendum would not involve independence.
• TAIWAN/REFERENDUM VOA 06 Dec 2003 -- Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian says he plans to call a referendum in March asking voters to demand that China stop pointing missiles at the island.
• NO SIGN THAT U.S. WILL REITERATE 'THREE NOES': ROC ENVOY CNA 05 Dec 2003 -- ROC Representative to the United States Chen Chien-jen said Thursday that there have been no signs that the Bush administration will publicly express opposition to Taiwan independence or reiterate the "three noes" policy toward Taiwan during mainland Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's upcoming U.S. visit.
• U-S / CHINA / TAIWAN VOA 04 Dec 2003 -- As China's prime minister prepares to visit the United States, the issue of Taiwan is once again front and center in relations between Beijing and Washington.
• 'DEFENSIVE REFERENDUM' AIMED AT DEFENDING STATUS QUO: PRESIDENT CNA 03 Dec 2003 -- President Chen Shui-bian said Thursday that his administration's planned "defensive referendum" is primarily aimed at maintaining Taiwan's present status quo and has nothing to do with the "independence versus unification" debate.
• OPPOSITION TO PROPOSE RESOLUTIONS ON STATUS QUO AND MAINLAND THREAT CNA 03 Dec 2003 -- The legislative caucuses of the opposition camp said on Thursday that they would propose that the Legislative Yuan pass two resolutions concerning Taiwan's status quo and the military threat of mainland China.
• TSU LAUNCHES LETTER CAMPAIGN CALLING FOR U.S. SUPPORT FOR REFERENDUM CNA 03 Dec 2003 -- The legislative caucus of the opposition Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) issued an open letter to U.S. President George W. Bush Thursday urging him to support Taiwan's holding of a referendum to resolve its sovereignty and status issues.
• OPPOSITION URGED TO SUPPORT REFERENDUM ON CHINA'S MISSILE THREAT CNA 03 Dec 2003 -- A spokesman for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) urged the opposition Thursday to support the holding of a referendum slated for March 20, 2004 to demand that Beijing dismantle its missiles targeting Taiwan.
• US urged to adhere to commitment on Taiwan China Daily 03 Dec 2003 -- China hopes the United States will strictly observe its commitment on the Taiwan question and clearly oppose any activity made by Taiwan authorities aimed at splitting China.
• US actions spur on Taiwan separatists China Daily 03 Dec 2003 -- The Taiwan question is nothing else but a question of China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• REFERENDUM TO SHOW TAIWAN PEOPLE'S DESIRE FOR PEACE: OFFICIAL CNA 03 Dec 2003 -- The planned "defensive referendum" is primarily aimed at demonstrating Taiwan people's desire for peace, President Chen Shui-bian's chief of staff said Wednesday.
• U.S. POLICY ON TAIWAN HAS NOT CHANGED: ROC FOREIGN MINISTER CNA 03 Dec 2003 -- Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien said Wednesday that the policy of the United States on Taiwan has not changed, which means that the United States does not support the independence of Taiwan.
• Russia reiterates opposition to Taiwan independence PLA Daily 03 Dec 2003 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Moscow opposes any form of independence in Taiwan, noting that Taiwan is an integral part of China.
• US opposes any referendum toward Taiwan independence PLA Daily 03 Dec 2003 -- The United States opposes any referendum designed to change Taiwan's status or move it towards independence, US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Monday.
• MND TO BUILT ANTI-MISSILE SYSTEM, INCREASE COMBAT CAPABILITY CNA 03 Dec 2003 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) will build an anti-missile system while bolstering its retaliatory capabilities in the face of the increasing missile threat from mainland China, Vice Minister of Defense Chen Ti-tuan said at the Legislative Yuan Wednesday.
• PLA: Chen is to blame if war breaks out China Daily 03 Dec 2003 -- Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian will be held responsible if a war breaks out across the Straits; and separatists on the island will be treated the same way war criminals are dealt with elsewhere in the world.
• CHINA-US-TAIWAN VOA 03 Dec 2003 -- China says its prime minister will push the United States to stop arms sales to Taiwan when he visits Washington next week.
• Taiwan and China VOA 02 Dec 2003 -- China heats up its rhetoric on Taiwan.
• US opposes any referendum toward Taiwan independence China Daily 02 Dec 2003 -- The United States opposes any referendum designed to change Taiwan's status or move it towards independence, US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Monday.
• TAIWAN NOT TO HOLD REFERENDUM ON SOVEREIGNTY CHANGE: SPOKESMAN CNA 02 Dec 2003 -- President Chen Shui-bian's administration will not hold any referendum that would involve a change to Taiwan's sovereign status, a Presidential Office spokesman said Tuesday.
• PREMIER OUTLINES 2 PRINCIPLES FOR 'DEFENSIVE REFERENDUM' CNA 02 Dec 2003 -- Premier Yu Shyi-kun said Tuesday the planned "defensive referendum" must be carried out in line with two principles -- no breach of President Chen Shui-bian's "four noes plus one" pledge and no touching on the issue of independence versus unification.
• PRESIDENT SEEKS ISSUES TO BE PUT TO REFERENDUM CNA 02 Dec 2003 -- President Chen Shui-bian, who is determined to carry out the country's first national referendum March 20, urged his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) comrades Tuesday to come up with issues that could be put to referendum.
• TAIWAN CHINA VOA 02 Dec 2003 -- China is lashing out at pro-independence politicians in Taiwan, who it says are the biggest threat to peace and stability in the region.
• MND DECLINES TO COMMENT ON PRESIDENT CHEN'S REMARKS CNA 01 Dec 2003 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) declined Monday to comment on President Chen Shui-bian's remarks that mainland China has deployed nearly 500 guided missiles against Taiwan.

  November

• BEIJING URGED TO CALMLY ANALYZE CHEN'S 'DEFENSIVE REFERENDUM' PROPOSAL CNA 30 NOv 2003 -- Mainland China should calmly watch developments in President Chen Shui-bian's proposal to hold a "defensive referendum" on the day of Taiwan's next presidential election, a senior Presidential Office official said Sunday.
• PRESIDENT CHEN REAFFIRMS DETERMINATION TO HOLD 'DEFENSIVE REFERENDUM' CNA 30 NOv 2003 -- President Chen Shui-bian reaffirmed his determination Sunday to hold a "defensive referendum" on the day of the next presidential election on March 20, 2004.
• TAIWAN/REFERENDUM VOA 29 Nov 2003 -- Taiwan President Chen Shui-Bin told a rally on Saturday that he plans to hold a referendum on Taiwan's sovereignty on election day, March 20th. The announcement is likely to anger China, which is vehemently opposed to any hints of Taiwanese independence.
• U.S. REAFFIRMS CROSS-STRAIT STANCE AFTER TAIWAN PASSES REFERENDUM BILL CNA 29 Nov 2003 -- The U.S. State Department said Friday that it respects the democratic process in Taiwan but opposes any attempt to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait or the use of force to solve bilateral differences.
• ROCSAT-2 TO LEAVE TAIWAN DEC. 1 FOR U.S. FOR LAUNCH IN JANUARY CNA 28 Nov 2003 -- The Republic of China's second satellite -- ROCSAT-2 -- will leave Taiwan Dec. 1 for the United States where it will be launched into orbit early next year, the National Space Program Office (NSPO) said Friday.
• PRESIDENT CHEN CALLS REFERENDUM BILL A VICTORY FOR THE PEOPLE CNA 28 Nov 2003 -- President Chen Shui-bian said Friday that the passage of legislation for the country's first referendum bill is a victory for all of the people on Taiwan, but pitfalls in implementing the bill still have to be removed.
• U.S. SHOULD REASSURE TAIWAN OF SECURITY COMMITMENT: DAILY TELEGRAPH CNA 28 Nov 2003 -- Washington should reassure Taiwan that it will receive whatever is necessary to defend itself from an invasion by mainland China after Thursday's passage of a bill by Taiwan's Legislative Yuan to allow Taiwan to hold referendums, a major British daily urged Friday.
• DPP TO LAUNCH CAMPAIGN AGAINST NEWLY PASSED REFERENDUM BILL CNA 28 Nov 2003 -- The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said Friday it will launch an islandwide campaign against the referendum bill that was passed by the opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan a day earlier.
• MAINLAND POLICY TO REMAIN INTACT DESPITE REFERENDUM BILL: MAC CNA 28 Nov 2003 -- Taiwan's policy toward mainland China will remain unchanged despite the passage of a referendum bill by the Legislative Yuan a day earlier, a senior mainland affairs official said Friday.
• JUST-PASSED REFERENDUM BILL CAN BE DELIBERATED: LEGISLATURE HEAD CNA 28 Nov 2003 -- The referendum bill passed late Thursday can be deliberated again by the legislators before the bill is finalized next Tuesday, Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng said Friday.
• JUST-PASSED REFERENDUM BILL CAN BE DELIBERATED: LEGISLATURE HEAD CNA 27 Nov 2003 -- The referendum bill that passed a second reading at the legislature Thursday represents a mixture of gains and losses for both the ruling and opposition parties.
• Taiwan OKs watered-down referendum bill China Daily 28 Nov 2003 -- Taiwan lawmakers yesterday passed a proposal that gives the island leader the power to hold an independence referendum in case of ``external attacks.''
• TAIWAN / ASIA REAX VOA 28 Nov 2003 -- A political scientist in Hong Kong says a controversial bill passed in Taiwan shows a cross-section of lawmakers would likely resist Beijing's goal of implementing a "one China, two system policy."
• TAIWAN / REFERENDUM VOA 27 Nov 2003 -- Lawmakers in Taiwan have approved a bill allowing the president to call for an independence referendum. The measure, passed after a lengthy debate, is seen as an act of defiance against China.
• Taiwan warned of grave consequence of independence PLA Daily 27 Nov 2003 -- A Chinese official warned on Wednesday that the Chinese government would not tolerate continued attempts by Taiwan's Chen Shui-bian toward independence, and any attempt to split China would bring disaster to the people of Taiwan.
• CHINA-TAIWAN VOA 26 Nov 2003 -- China is continuing its verbal attack on Taiwan while at the same time urging the island's government to allow direct flights to the mainland.
• PREMIER REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SUBS BY CSBC Nov. 22 (CNA) Premier Yu Shyi-kun reaffirmed Saturday that he supports the idea of state-owned China Shipbuilding Corp. (CSBC) building part of the submarines that the United States has offered to sell to Taiwan.
• U.S. READY TO OFFER TAIWAN SUBMARINES: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT Washington, Nov. 20 (CNA) The United States thinks Taiwan needs submarines and is ready to make them available, but it is up to Taiwan to decide whether to pursue them or not
• ROC WELCOMES U.S. REAFFIRMATION ON PEACEFUL CROSS-STRAIT APPROACH Nov. 21 (CNA) The Republic of China government welcomed the Bush administration's reaffirmation of its firm opposition to Beijing's threat to use force to resolve differences between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, Cabinet spokesman Lin Chia-lung said Friday.
• TAIWAN HAS NOT TAKEN ANY PROVOCATIVE ACTION: PREMIER Nov. 21 (CNA) Premier Yu Shyi-kun said Friday that the Republic of China's pursuit of referendum legislation and a new constitution is purely a domestic issue and should not be interpreted as an action designed to provoke mainland China.
• U.S.-Taiwan-China Issues; Randy Schriver, Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs; Foreign Press Center Briefing; Washington, DC -- 11/20/03 Official Transcript in the last, I think, 48 hours, there's been a great deal of attention to statements coming out Beijing, I wanted to make clear our position on use of force. Of course, this is addressed in our law: The Taiwan Relations Act -- I obviously don't have it in front of me here -- but essentially says that any threat to use force against Taiwan is of grave concern to the United States, and that we will only support a peaceful approach to resolving the differences. And this is not only our law, it is embedded in our policy, that we are firmly opposed to the use of force in settling the differences between the two sides.
• CHINA-TAIWAN VOA 19 Nov 2003 -- China has delivered an unusually harsh message to Taiwan's leaders, warning it will use force if the island pursues independence from the mainland.
• U.S. STILL PONDERING SALE OF SUBS TO TAIWAN: SPOKESMAN Washington, Nov. 18 (CNA) The U.S. government is still pondering the plan of selling submarines to Taiwan and is continuing to discuss related matters with Taiwan, albeit it needs some time to finalize details of the plan
• ROC AIR FORCE PILOT TEST-FIRES AIM-120 MISSILE IN U.S.: REPORT Washington, Nov. 18 (CNA) An ROC Air Force pilot has successfully test-fired an AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) in the skies above a U.S. military base in Florida
• CHINA TAIWAN VOA 13 Nov 2003 -- China is stepping up its rhetoric against Taiwan, accusing the island's government of moving further toward independence.
• CHIANG / MEMORIAL VOA 05 Nov 2003 -- Mourners packed a New York church to pay their last respects to Taiwan's former first lady Madame Chiang Kai-shek, once one of the world's most powerful women.
• POWELL-CHINA VOA 05 Nov 2003 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell has reaffirmed the U-S commitment to a "one-China" policy and assured Beijing the Bush administration has no "hidden agendas" with Taiwan. But in a policy seminar in Texas, Mr. Powell said the United States is concerned about a Chinese military buildup near Taiwan.
• U-S-CHINA-TAIWAN VOA 04 Nov 2003 -- The United States Tuesday reaffirmed its commitment to a one-China policy -- recognizing only Beijing -- after a brief conversation and handshake in Panama Monday between Secretary of State Colin Powell and Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian. The encounter figured in a phone conversation Tuesday between Mr. Powell and Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.
• POWELL / TAIWAN / PANAMA VOA 03 Nov 2003 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell shook hands in Panama Monday with the President of Taiwan, Chen Shui-bian. Officials in Washington were quick to say the encounter meant no change in U-S China policy.

  October

• CHINA/TAIWAN VOA 26 Oct 2003 -- China warned Taiwan's leaders that their call for a new constitution and a law that will permit referendums could be "disastrous for Taiwan." China fears these moves could produce a vote for the island's independence.
• MADAME CHIANG DIES VOA 24 Oct 2003 -- Soong Mayling, widow of the late Taiwan leader Chiang Kai-shek, has died in her New York home at the age of 106.
• Taiwan and China VOA 23 Oct 2003 -- For more than five decades, China and Taiwan have been entwined in a relationship fraught with tension and filled with promise. Up until 1979, China was intermittenly shelling Taiwanese islands off the coast of China, but these days the two countries are linked by trade and investment. Even so, an increasing number of Taiwan citizens think their country should declare independence even though Beijing has vowed to attack if Taiwan formally separates itself from the mainland.
• President Chen accuses China of hostile intentions Calling the "one China" principle "abnormal thinking that should not exist," the president ruled out accepting the compromise deal reached in 1992 under which China and Taiwan had agreed to disagree about the issue. "The so-called 1992 consensus is still a 'one China' principle," he said. "It's a way to make Taiwan a region. It belittles Taiwan, it marginalizes Taiwan." "The people of Taiwan firmly believe that there is one country on each side of the straits," he said, "One China and one Taiwan."
• U.S., Taiwan Companies Penalized for Violating Export Rules Washington File 07 Oct 2003-- The U.S. Department of Commerce announced October 6 that Trane Export LLC of LaCrosse, Wisconsin and Trane Taiwan Distribution Limited of Taipei, Taiwan have agreed to pay civil penalties to settle charges related to the illegal export of commercial air-conditioning machinery in violation of the Export Administration Regulations.

  September

  August

  August

• Executive Yuan releases assessment of direct cross-strait links August 15, 2003 - Premier Yu noted that representatives from Taiwan's major political parties and social sectors reached consensus about the three direct links policy during the August 2001 Economic Development Advisory Conference, over which President Chen presided.
• TAIWAN/UN VOA 07 Aug 2003 -- For the 11th time, Taiwan is making a bid to join the United Nations. Taiwan leaders say allowing the island to join will help international peace and stability. But Taiwan's bid has been blocked every year by rival China.

  July

• President Chen: referendum an important step in Taiwan's democratic development July 30, 2003 President Chen Shui-bian said July 27 that the Taiwan government will definitely hold a referendum on the fourth nuclear power plant and other major public policy issues on or before the presidential elections scheduled for March 20, 2004.
• President Chen says referendum unavoidable July 30, 2003 President Chen Shui-bian told Christopher DeMuth, head of the American Enterprise Institute, and James Lilley, former U.S. ambassador, that the right of citizens to hold plebiscites is a universal value, a fundamental human right, and a concrete expression of the people's sovereignty.
• TAIWAN / SARS VOA 05 Jul 2003 -- World Health Organization has removed Taiwan from its list of areas affected by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. The W-H-O says the SARS outbreak has now been brought under control worldwide, but medical experts warn it is too soon to write the disease off completely
• President Chen reiterates "four noes, one without" policy 04 July 2003 - President Chen Shui-bian declared that so long as Beijing has no intention of using military force against Taiwan, he would "not declare Taiwan Independence, change our national title, push for the inclusion of the "state-to-state" formulation in our Constitution, or promote a referendum on the question of independence or unification."

  June

• President Chen announces intention to hold referendum President Chen Shui-bian revealed his intention to hold a nationwide referendum before the next presidential election. He made the announcement in a speech at the National Nuclear-free Homeland Conference June 27.
• TAIWAN SARS VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- The World Health Organization has removed its SARS-related travel advisory on Taiwan, but the advice to avoid visiting Beijing remains in place.
• TAIWAN SARS VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- The World Health Organization has removed its SARS-related travel advisory on Taiwan, but the advice to avoid visiting Beijing remains in place.
• Taiwan Welcomes Rare Chance to Join WHO Conference on SARS VOA 16 Jun 2003 -- Taiwan's leaders are welcoming a rare opportunity to take part in Tuesday's World Health Organization conference on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
• New ROC passports to carry "Taiwan" on cover, beginning Sept. 1 Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien announced June 12 that, beginning Sept. 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will add the word "Taiwan" in English to the covers of all new passports that it issues.

  May

• HAITI AND TAIWAN VOA 27 May 2003 -- The People's Republic of China and Taiwan have been competing for diplomatic recognition from the international community since the two governments split in 1949, at the end of the Chinese civil war. Each entity claims sovereignty over all of China. Nowadays, most countries recognize the Beijing government. But some nations have chosen instead to maintain full diplomatic ties with the island republic, located on the other side of the Taiwan Straits.
• TAIWAN/SARS VOA 22 May 2003 -- The number of new SARS patients in Taiwan has surged, and the World Health Organization says the new cases, many among health care workers, show that hospitals are not preventing the transmission of the disease.
• Text: Senate's Second Ranking Democrat Wants Taiwan Observers in WHO Washington File 21 May 2003 -- Senate Minority Whip Harry Reid (Democrat of Nevada) says the failure of the World Health Organization (WHO) to give observer status to Taiwan has hindered Taipei's efforts to halt the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) among its population of 23 million.

  April

  March

• U.S.-Taiwan Relations US Dept. of State 14 Feb 2003 -- Randall Schriver, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Remarks to U.S.-Taiwan Business Council Defense Industry Conference
• House Passes Bill Promoting WHO Observer Status for Taiwan Washington File 12 Mar 2003 -- The House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill March 11 authorizing the United States to seek observer status for Taiwan within the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Press Release Regarding the First Meeting of the Cross-ministerial Committee for Building Submarines in Taiwan Press Release March 7, 2003 - Many legislators and the general public expressed the hope that Taiwan would build its own submarines and use the opportunity to strengthen its national security, revive the local shipbuilding industry, and upgrade the island's technological capabilities.

  February

• Text: U.S. Official Urges Balanced Approach to PRC-Taiwan Differences Washington File 19 Feb 2003 -- Taiwan must focus on both careful self-defense planning and continued dialogue with the People's Republic of China (PRC) in order to reduce tensions across the Taiwan Strait, says Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Randall Schriver.

  January

• CHINA/TAIWAN/FLIGHTS VOA 26 Jan 2003 -- The first commercial flight from Taiwan to China in more than 50 years has completed its round-trip journey. The special flights were scheduled to bring Taiwanese people living on the mainland home for the Lunar New Year. The flights are seen as an important step toward establishing regular, direct air links between China and Taiwan. Fred Steiner in Taipei has more.
• TAIWAN / CHINA FLIGHTS VOA 24 Jan 2003 -- Taiwan prepares for landmark indirect flights to China this weekend. The move comes as Beijing calls for regular, direct links between China and the island to be established as soon as possible