Rice Says China Should Talk To Taiwan Government, Not Just Political Parties

SINO DAILY

Critics in Taiwan have blasted Beijing for reaching out to the opposition to isolate and put pressure on the Taiwanese government headed by President Chen Shui-bian from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party.

Beijing (AFP) Jul 10, 2005
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday Washington was encouraged by the recent contact between China and Taiwan's opposition parties and called on Beijing to talk directly to the Taiwanese government.

"We do think cross-straits contacts are a good thing. And to the degree that the Chinese government has been engaging in those cross-straits contacts, we think it's good," Rice told reporters after meeting with Chinese leaders.

"We hope that that would extend to contacts with the elected government of Taiwan because that would be also very good."

Leaders from three Taiwanese opposition parties, including those from the Communist Party's former arch-enemy, the Kuomintang Party, have visited China in recent months as part of efforts to improve ties.

On Sunday, Rice also reiterated Washington's position on the Taiwan issue - considered by Beijing to be a "core issue" in Sino-US relations.

"It's America's desire that there be no unilateral changes to the status quo by either side," Rice said.

"That means we don't support unilateral moves toward independence by Taiwan ... It also means we are concerned about the military balance and we'll say to China they should do nothing militarily to provoke Taiwan."

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification, and has threatened to invade if the island moves towards formal independence.

Ties between Beijing and Taipei have been strained since the independence-leaning Chen broke the KMT's 51-year grip on power by winning the 2000 presidential election. He was re-elected in 2004.

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TAIWAN NEWS

Taiwan Needs Arms Package For Defense Against China Threat: President

Taipei (AFP) Jul 06, 2005
President Chen Shui-bian defended Wednesday a proposed multibillion-dollar arms package that has been rejected by parliament, saying it was vital to protect Taiwan against China's growing military threat.