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| East Asia |
| Bush: No support for Taiwanese independence |
| 2003-12-09 |
| Edited for brevity. President Bush said Tuesday after meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao that he opposes the apparent interest of Taiwan’s leaders in taking steps toward independence. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office after a 40-minute meeting with Wen, Bush said he had told the premier, "The United States policy is one China. We oppose any unilateral decision by either China or Taiwan to change the status quo," Bush said, "and the comments and actions made by the leader of Taiwan indicate that he may be willing to make decisions unilaterally, to change the status quo, which we oppose." It was the administration’s strongest statement to date in opposition to Taiwan’s plan to conduct a referendum on March 20 on whether the Taiwanese people want to demand that China withdraw hundreds of missiles aimed at Taiwan and renounce the use of force against the island. The administration sees this as an indirect step toward independence, a view shared by Chinese authorities who have threatened military action against the island if the referendum proceeds as planned. But Wen, refraining from belligerent comments, said China’s goal is to pursue peaceful reunification with Taiwan, "as long as a glimmer of hope" exists. "Stability can only be maintained through unswerving opposition to pro-independence activities," Wen said. He said his country sought to maintain a system of "one country, two systems." "We will do our utmost to bring about national reunification through peaceful means," Wen said. "The Chinese government respects the desire of people in Taiwan for democracy, but we must point out that the (Taiwanese leaders) are only using democracy as an excuse and attempt to resort to defensive referendums to split Taiwan away from China," he said. "Such separatist activities are what the Chinese side can absolutely not accept." |
| Posted by:Dar |
| #7 Well I guess everybody does so... even the Germans. Say "One China", get the 3 billion dollar contract for Siemens... I think we can live with the status quo... but a Chinese guarantee that it would never try to change that status quo by force would help. |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2003-12-9 7:31:28 PM |
| #6 Correct, TGA, and I'm hoping that Bush is using the preferred definition of diplomacy -- the ability to say "nice doggie" while looking for a big rock. There ya go, Mr. Hua, I said some soothing words, now then, about your vassel state in the northeast, shall you reduce them to worm food or shall we make some glass? |
| Posted by: Steve White 2003-12-9 6:47:06 PM |
| #5 I think the Bush policy is to support reunification, but in the sweet by-and-by. Paying lip service while quietly blocking any actual moves in that direction leaves resources free for other things. In the meantime, the old guard in mainland China has more time to die off. If we do it right, their grandchildren will die of old age... |
| Posted by: Fred 2003-12-9 5:36:33 PM |
| #4 I stick by my prediction: After the 2004 elections, Taiwan will hold a referendum and vote for independence. Is this so hard for the world to accept? There are a lot of Chinese in this world and cetainly there is room for two Chinas. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge (VRWC CA Chapter) 2003-12-9 5:35:51 PM |
| #3 I forgot to add "rightfully whacked". I understand that nobody wants to spill water (or blood) over the issue but as long as China is not a democracy and Taiwan is and has nuclear missiles pointed at it, "One China" means "One Non Democratic China". And that's not a policy a US president should back. |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2003-12-9 4:59:30 PM |
| #2 TGA--Yes, he was. I'm not happy about Bush saying the same thing either. Taiwan deserves better. |
| Posted by: Dar 2003-12-9 4:02:18 PM |
| #1 Wasn't Schroeder just whacked here days ago for saying pretty much the same thing? |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2003-12-9 3:58:17 PM |