• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

BEIJING'S COMMENTS ON 'SEVEN-POINT CONCLUSION' UNACCEPTABLE: MAC

ROC News Agency

2005-04-13 18:48:17

    Taipei, April 13 (CNA) China's comments on Taiwan's "seven-point conclusion" on engagements across the Taiwan Strait in the wake of Beijing's enactment of its anti-secession law are "unacceptable, " a senior Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) official said Wednesday.

    MAC Vice Chairman You Ying-lung made the remarks after Li Weiyi, a spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, said in Beijing earlier in the day that Taiwan's latest "seven-point conclusion" on cross-strait exchanges marked a retreat in Taiwan's commitment to boosting bilateral ties.

    The "seven-point conclusion" referred to the outcome announced at the end of a high-level meeting chaired by President Chen Shui-bian April 5 following a high-profile visit to China by opposition Kuomintang Vice Chairman P. K. Chiang, who signed a so-called "10-point consensus" with Chinese authorities during his stay in Beijing.

    The "seven-point conclusion" accentuated the Democratic Progressive Party administration's determination to "effectively manage" cross-strait exchanges, including stressing that all cross-strait interchanges should abide by the law and that anyone who reaches an agreement with foreign governments, the other side of the Taiwan Strait or the envoys they dispatch will be dealt with according to the law by related agencies.

    Speaking at a news briefing in Beijing Wednesday, Li claimed that the "seven-point conclusion" tightens restrictions on cross-strait trade and cultural exchanges. "Turning the clock back violates the interests of Taiwan compatriots," he added.

    In response, MAC Vice Chairman You said Li's comments were "unacceptable," but he didn't elaborate.

    During the Beijing news conference, Li also said private industry associations on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are welcome to exchange views on the much-expected opening of direct cross-strait charter cargo flights.

    Responding to a media inquiry about his opinions on Li's overture, MAC Chairman Joseph Wu said he sees no sincerity in Li's call for talks by private industry associations.

    Wu said Taiwan is willing to negotiate issues regarding the opening of direct cross-strait charter cargo flights, but he added that at the moment, the government's top priority is to evaluate the impact of China's recent enactment of its anti-secession law codifying the use of "non-peaceful means" against Taiwan. "We must wait and see whether Taiwan's dignity and interests would be affected by that legislation before we re-start any contacts with China," Wu said.

    According to Wu, China has forced a noted Taiwan business tycoon to issue a public statement endorsing its cherished "one China" policy and its anti-secession law. "We must wait to see whether China will take any other steps to restrict the speech of freedom of Taiwan business people with interests in China or to force them to sign any documents, " Wu said, adding that he is not sure at the moment how long the "observation and evaluation" period will last.

(By Sofia Wu)

enditem/mw