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CHINA WON'T SHOW TAIWAN MERCY: ROC FOREIGN MINISTER

ROC Central News Agency

2005-03-07 15:29:02

    Tainan County, March 7 (CNA) Foreign Affairs Minister Chen Tan-sun said Monday in Tainan County that the easing of the crisis between Taiwan and China since the "Chen-Soong meeting" is only a "false, short-term phenomenon, " claiming that China will not show mercy in its efforts to suppress Taiwan.

    The minister made the comments while presiding over a ceremony to mark the opening of a diplomatic research camp in the county.

    Pointing out that most of the Taiwan people feel the domestic political atmosphere has improved since President Chen Shui-bian met with opposition People First Party Chairman James Soong Feb. 24, the minister, however, said that the island still faces difficulties and challenges in developing its relations with other countries due to China's continued diplomatic offensive to isolate the country internationally.

    Chen and Soong reached an agreement during their meeting on various issues relating to constitutional reform, cross-strait relations and other matters.

    Saying that China's economy has vastly improved in recent years and that Taiwanese businesspeople have played a significant role in this development, the minister reminded the Taiwan people not to be misled by China as Beijing will "not show mercy to Taiwan" just because of the holding of a"Chen-Soong meeting."

    The Taiwan people should intuitively perceive the difficulties faced by the government in promoting foreign relations and should support the government, he further said, adding that this will become the new thought of Taiwan's future diplomatic work.

(By P.C. Tang)

Enditem/Li