China News  
Taiwan Vice President Lu defends Chen's Hard Line On China

"President Chen said if China did not use force to menace Taiwan, then he would not break the promises he made," Lu said.
by Staff Writers
Taipei (AFP) Feb 01, 2006
Taiwan's Vice President Annette Lu on Wednesday defended President Chen Shui-bian's renewed tough line on China, a move which the United States has warned could send the wrong signals to Beijing.

"My feeling is that the president may think we should have a say on Taiwan's own future," Lu explained.

Chen said Sunday he would "seriously consider" abolishing guidelines on reunification with China and the council that created them.

Eliminating them could fuel Beijing's suspicions that he is pushing for independence for the island which China regards as a part of its territory.

Chen's remarks, made during a Lunar New Year event, drew criticism from Taiwanese opposition leader Ma Ying-jeou who favors improved ties with rival China and urged Chen to keep his previous promises of not scrapping the National Unification Council and guidelines.

Lu however blamed Beijing for the persistent political standoff.

"President Chen said if China did not use force to menace Taiwan, then he would not break the promises he made," Lu said.

Chen has also suggested reapplying to join the United Nations in the name of "Taiwan" instead of the island's official title, "Republic of China." He also called for putting a new constitution to a vote later this year.

His remarks surprised US officials, who this week reiterated Washington's opposition to Taiwan's independence and to changes in the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.

Chen pledged during his inauguration in 2000 to uphold the council and the guidelines and said he would not seek formal independence for the island.

He reiterated that promise in 2004 after he was narrowly reelected for a second and final term.

China and Taiwan split in 1949 after a civil war but Beijing still claims the island and threatens to invade if it formally declares independence, but relations have worsened since Chen took office.

Source: Agence France-Presse

Related Links
-

China Puts Technology At Policy Forefront
Washington (UPI) Feb 01, 2006
Semiconductors may be the best way for China to move beyond simply being regarded the factory to the world, albeit a huge one at that.







  • QDR Revolves Around Terror, Chinese Threat
  • India Calls Global Arms Makers For Joint Ventures, Vows To Upgrade Airforce
  • Russian Military Policy In 2006
  • India, U.S. Nuke Deal Hits Wall

  • China Urged To Reform US Trade Deficit
  • Shanghai Economy Soars In 2005
  • Lots On China, Few Star Names As Davos Forum Wraps Up
  • Analysis: China's Once-Latent Economic Past

  • Disaster Convention Warned On Urbanisation Risk
  • Tsunami Victims' Rights Abused?
  • 'Biobullets' Fight Harmful Mussels
  • Workshop On Telemedicine For Africa

  • Shenzhou VI Orbital Module Works Well 100 Days
  • Shanghai Boosts Development Of Space Industry
  • 2007 Moon Rocket Production Kicks Off
  • Taikonauts On Moon A Far Off Dream For China Yet

  • New Material Brings Hydrogen Fuel, Cheaper Petrochemicals Closer
  • Scepticism Over Bush's Call For Dramatic Cut In Mideast Oil Imports
  • Biofuels Can Pick Up Oil's Slack
  • China To Produce Gas From Disputed Field Soon

  • In Indonesia, 2 More Flu Deaths Suspected
  • Hong Kong Bird Flu Finds Raise New Fears About China Reporting
  • Mathematics And Statistics Combat Epidemics And Bioterror
  • New Teams Join Network to Model Pandemic Flu, Other Infectious Outbreaks

  • Interest Revives Worldwide In Nuclear Energy
  • Toshiba To Pay Double For Westinghouse
  • U.K. Opens Debate On Nuclear Power
  • U.S. Pushes For More Nuclear Power

  • Coal Mine Blast Kills 23 In North China
  • China To Close 4,000 Small Coal Mines Annually
  • Seven Arrested After China Coal Mine Disaster
  • Chine Mine Blast Kills 54

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement