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Taiwan ex-leader gives China warning: report
Taipei (AFP) June 28, 2009 Taiwan's former president Lee Teng-hui warned that improved economic ties with Beijing provided an opportunity for China to assert more control over the island, according to a report Sunday. In an address to a group of supporters in Taipei Saturday night, the pro- independence Lee said China's offer of increased economic benefits were aimed at making Taipei dependent on such incentives, the Liberty Times reported. He warned that this could reduce Taipei to a "local government" beneath Beijing's "central government," he was quoted by the Times as saying. "Eventually Taiwan could be manipulated by the giant country of China," Lee said according to the report. His comments come as the former bitter rivals have been drafting a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on financial cooperation amid ever closer economic ties. Ming-Daw Chang, head of Taiwan's Banking Bureau of the financial regulatory body Financial Supervisory Commission, said last week that Taiwan is close to signing a long-awaited MOU with China on the banking, insurance and brokerage sectors. China recently placed orders for over 2.0 billion dollars worth of Taiwanese goods, a move the Chinese authorities said is aimed to help the country tackle its worst ever recession in the wake of the global economic downturn. Lee said he was not opposed to exchanges with China, but added that "it's very important that Taiwan must sustain its status as an independent sovereign state." "Now it's time for Taiwan people to think about Taiwan's future...it would be stupid if Taiwan people foresake their soul in exchange for economic benefits." Lee's pro-independence stance during his 1988-2000 term angered China, which labelled him as a "splittist". Taipei and Beijing have recently forged agreements that have led to regular direct flights and increased investment opportunities. Relations have warmed since the China-friendly administration of President Ma Ying-jeou came to power last year. The island reported a record economic contraction of 10.24 percent in the first quarter of this year, after an 8.61 percent dive in the previous three months on dwindling overseas demand. China still regards Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary, although the island has been self-governing since the end of their civil war in 1949. Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Taiwan News at SinoDaily.com
China state TV host denies spying for Taiwan: state mediaBeijing (AFP) June 12, 2009 A star presenter with China's state television network has denied allegations that she spied for Taiwan, amid reports that she could be under investigation, state newspapers said Friday. The China Daily, quoting unnamed sources from China Central Television, said Fang Jing, the 38-year-old face of the network's prime-time military programme "Defence Watch," had been "taken away for a possibl ... read more |
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