Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

U.S. STANCE TOWARDS TAIWAN REMAINS UNCHANGED: PRESIDENT BUSH

Central News Agency

2005-06-08 13:39:53

    Washington, June 7 (CNA) U.S. President George W. Bush on Tuesday reiterated that his administration's stance towards Taiwan remains unchanged.

    The president made the reiteration while meeting with a Chinese National People's Congress delegation which is currently visiting Washington, D.C. at the invitation of Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK).

    According to White House spokesman Scott McClellan, Bush received the members of the delegation at the request of the senator who "thought it would be great if the president could sit down and meet with them."

    McClellan said that the president talked about three sets of issues, including the economy and trade, North Korea, and the Taiwan Strait, with the Chinese legislators during the meeting. "And the president reiterated that our position remains the same, that nothing has changed when it comes to Taiwan, " the spokesman further said at a daily press briefing.

    Bush already reaffirmed his stance on issues related to Taiwan at a White House press conference held May 31 by saying: "I made my position very clear and very consistent about Taiwan. The Taiwanese understand my position. The Chinese understand my position."

    The president's position is "maintaining the status quo and resolving the Taiwan issue peacefully."

    Bush also emphasized the importance of fair trade during his meeting with the Chinese lawmakers, expressing the hope that China can respect the international trade rules, McClellan also said.

    Touching on the North Korea issue, McClellan said that the president also told Chinese lawmakers that he wants China to use its influence to urge North Korea to return to the six-party talks.

(By Jorge Liu and P.C.Tang)

Enditem/Li