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BUSH REITERATES U.S. DOES NOT SUPPORT TAIWAN INDEPENDENCE

ROC Central News Agency

2006-04-21 12:11:04

    Washington, April 20 (CNA) U.S. President George W. Bush reiterated that the United States does not support independence for Taiwan during his meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao Thursday at the White House.

    Bush told a news conference after the meeting that although he and Hu do not agree on everything, they are able to discuss their disagreements "in a spirit of friendship and cooperation." "We spent time talking about Taiwan, and I assured the president my position has not changed. I do not support independence for Taiwan," Bush said.

    For his part, Hu noted that Bush said during the meeting that he hopes the Taiwan authorities do not make any moves to change the status quo which would upset the China-U.S. relationship. "We have the utmost sincerity, and we will do our utmost with all sincerity to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification. This being said, we will by no means allow Taiwan independence, " Hu said, reiterating China's long-standing position that "Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory." "We maintain consistently that under the basis of the one-China principle, we are committed to the safeguarding of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and to the promotion of the improvement and development of cross-strait relations," Hu said.

    Addressing an arrival ceremony for Hu held earlier that day at the South Lawn of the White House, Bush said the United States maintains its one-China policy based on the three U.S.-China communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. "We oppose unilateral changes in the status quo in the Taiwan Strait by either side, and we urge all parties to avoid confrontational or provocative acts. And we believe the future of Taiwan should be resolved peacefully," Bush said.

    In Taipei, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a brief statement that Bush's remarks indicate that the United States' long-standing position on cross-strait issues has remained unchanged.

(By Jorge Liu and Y.F. Low)

ENDITEM/Li