1998
1999
Jan - Jun 2000
Lee Teng-hui Visiting Britain
(Liberty
Times, June 27, 2000) A little over a month after stepping down from office, former
President Lee Teng-hui, along with his wife and other members of his family,
will today fly to the United Kingdom, sources have revealed. During his stay
in England, which is being described as a personal visit, Lee will visit the
University of Manchester, where he will be given honorary membership of the
International Joseph A. Schumpeter Society.
Think Globally to Counter China, Urges NSC Chief
(Taipei
Times, June 26, 2000) National Security Council (NSC) Deputy
Secretary-General Chiou I-jen yesterday warned the current stalemate in
cross-strait relations would continue unless Taiwan focused its global
strategy on dealing with China. "An easy way out of the current deadlock
is to put cross-strait relations within the framework of Taiwan's foreign
relations and global politics," Chiou said.
Beijing Demands Taiwan's DPP Drop Independence Stance
(Associated
Press, June 21, 2000) The mainland has said Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's
party should quit advocating formal independence for the island, the official
Xinhua (New China News Agency) said on Wednesday, suggesting such a move
would help ease tensions with Beijing. The rebuff comes a day after Mr Chen
offered - and Beijing rejected - a summit with President Jiang Zemin along
the lines of the one just held between the leaders of North and South Korea.
In a commentary printed in Chinese newspapers, Xinhua piled invective on
Taiwan's claims of sovereignty and demanded that it hew to Beijing's ''one
China principle.''
KMT Vows To Change
(Reuters,
Jun 18, 2000) Nearly 2,000 Taiwan Nationalist Party members gathered on
Saturday for the first time since a humiliating election defeat to try to
revamp the party and shake off a reputation for corruption. Lien Chan, who
finished a distant third in March presidential elections that ended the
Nationalists' five-decade lock on power in Taiwan, was elected as party
chairman.
AIT Chief Says China May Feel Compelled to Attack
(Taipei
Times, June 17, 2000) Raymond Burghardt, director of the American Institute
in Taiwan, said yesterday that if Beijing's leaders felt that Taiwan was
"slipping away" from eventual unification with China, they would
"act militarily" without regard to the economic consequences and
any resultant international condemnation. Burghardt said that there is a common
misbelief that "somehow cross-strait trade and investment will act as a
brake on the leaders in Beijing from taking rash actions."
Two Koreas' Summit an Inspiration for Taiwan and
China: Campbell
(CNA,
June 14, 2000) The historic Pyongyang meeting between the leaders of South
and North Korea should be an inspiration for both sides of the Taiwan Strait,
Kurt Campbell, former Assistant Defense Secretary, said here on Wednesday.
U.S. Urges China to Ease Stand on Taiwan
(Reuters, Jun 9, 2000) U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Susan Shirk said on
Friday China could coax Taiwan into reunification talks by easing its
opposition to Taipei joining international organizations that do not require
statehood. "I think that one way that Beijing could offer positive
inducement to the people of Taiwan would be to loosen up on its opposition to
Taiwan's participation in international organizations that do not require
statehood."
Taiwan Says Bearing Bigger China Migrant Burden
(Reuters,
Jun 5, 2000) Xia Linghong traveled hundreds of miles to Taiwan and dreamt of
going home rich. The unemployed 19-year-old left his home in China's
southwestern Sichuan province and made the long journey to Fujian on the
coast. There he paid 20,000 yuan (US$2,400) that he had borrowed from friends
and relatives for a rickety fishing-boat ride to Taiwan. But before he even
stepped ashore, Xia and 10 other Chinese illegal immigrants aboard the small
boat were arrested.
US Intervention Is a Realistic Expectation: Swaine
(Taipei
Times, June 4, 2000) Research director of the US-based Rand Corp Center for
Asia-Pacific Policy Michael D. Swaine said that Taiwan needs to bolster its
defenses against invasion from China through a thorough integration of
military resources and the steeling of people's resolve to withstand an
attack
'One China' Too Simplified
(Taipei
Times, May 30, 2000) Mainland Affairs Council Chair-person Tsai Ing-wen
yesterday said that cross-strait relations should not be simplified to the
point that they hinge only on the "one China" principle, adding
that the new government was open to all options for future relations with
China, including reunification.
Taiwan Brushes off PLA Threat
(South
China Morning Post, May 26, 2000) Taiwan's armed forces yesterday played down
any military threat from the mainland as the PLA launched a week-long
live-fire artillery drill in an area adjoining Taiwan yesterday. Residents on
Quemoy could hear the drills being conducted around Quanzhou Bay off the
coast of neighbouring Fujian province.
Reno Calls Taiwan an Intelligence Threat
(Washington
Times, May 24, 2000) The Clinton administration, in a departure from longtime
U.S. policy, has placed Taiwan on the FBI's secret list of hostile
intelligence threats, equating Taipei with aggressive spying by Beijing and
Moscow. China, Russia and Taiwan are among 13 nations designated as
priorities for FBI intelligence and counterespionage activities, according to
a classified memorandum from Attorney General Janet Reno.
Jiang Wants Older Cadres to Settle Taiwan Problem
(South
China Morning Post, May 11, 2000) President Jiang Zemin has said the Taiwan
problem should be resolved while "the older generation" of cadres
is still around. Talking to Politburo colleagues and aides before the
inauguration of Taiwan president-elect Chen Shui-bian on May 20, Mr Jiang
said the issue of reunification was as urgent as ever. A party source in
Beijing yesterday quoted Mr Jiang as saying: "It's like sailing a boat
against the current. If we can't make progress, the water will carry us
further and further backwards."
Defense Ministry Plays Down Mainland China's War Games
(Taipei
Times, May 9, 2000) Reacting to media reports about large-scale military
exercises to be launched by mainland China shortly after Chen Shui-bian's May
20 presidential inauguration, the Ministry of National Defense said yesterday
there were few clues to confirm a threat to Taiwan's security. The exercises,
which have been code-named "Qiong Dao No. 4", are to be the largest
of their kind since the 1995 to 1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis, involving nearly
100,000 troops, according to reliable sources.
PLA Exercises Near Taiwan Normal: Beijing
(AFP,
April 26, 2000) The PLA has increased military training in eastern China,
which Taiwan's Defence Ministry yesterday warned could be a warm-up for war
games. But, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi said: "As far as
military exercises carried out by the PLA are concerned, this is normal and
is aimed at enhancing the capability of the Chinese military."
US Delegation Visits Taiwan to Help Defuse Tensions
with China
(AFP, April
23, 2000) A four-member US delegation began their whirlwind visit to Taiwan
Sunday before travelling to China to help cool the escalating tensions
between the arch enemies. The team, led by former US Assistant Secretary for
East Asian and Pacific Affairs Winston Lord, held their first meeting here
with former Taiwan provincial governor James Soong.
'Pro-Independence' Taiwanese Firms to Face Squeeze in China
(Taipei
Times, April 20, 2000) China has promised to meddle in the business affairs
of Taiwanese investors who favor independence for Taiwan, according to
reports yesterday. Beijing has launched an investigation to ascertain the
stance of investors when it comes to the issue of Taiwan's independence,
Taiwan media reported yesterday, quoting sources from China's Taiwan affairs
office.
China's Army Warns of Taiwan War
(AP,
April 15, 2000) China's military, adding its weight to a tide of official
outrage targeting Taiwan's vice president-elect, warned Saturday that the
"abyss of war" awaits the island if it declares independence. The
commentary in the Liberation Army Daily topped a week of vitriolic rhetoric
aimed at Annette Lu by China's state-run media, which labeled her "scum
of the nation," a lunatic and traitor for reportedly telling Hong Kong
media that Taiwanese are distant relatives or neighbors of the mainland
Chinese, rather than close family.
Jiang Says China Has Option Of Force Over Taiwan
(Reuters,
Apr 13, 2000) Chinese President Jiang Zemin said on Wednesday China wanted to
use peaceful means in its policy on Taiwan but would reserve the choice to
use force if needed. "Our policy has very long been a consistent one.
Peaceful reunification, one country, two systems," the Chinese leader
told a news conference during a visit to Israel. "But we cannot
undertake to give up the use of force because we need to keep this option to
prevent interference in China's internal affairs."
China Indicates Air of Restraint Toward Taiwan
(New York
Times, April 2, 2000) Chinese leaders have told the United States that they plan
to stick with a "wait and see" attitude toward Taiwan's new
president and that they are open to resuming a dialogue with the estranged
island, a senior administration official said today. The Chinese assurances,
if borne out, come at a crucial time for the administration, which is
scrambling to put relations with China on an even keel and to persuade
Congress to upgrade economic relations with it before President Clinton
leaves office.
US Urges "Patiences, Flexibility and
Creativity" on Taiwan
(AFP,
March 30, 2000) US National Security Advisor Samuel Berger told Chinese
President Jiang Zemin Thursday the US would not alter its one China policy
and urged "patience, flexibility and creativitiy" in dealing with
the Taiwan issue. …a senior US administrative official told journalists.
"The reason we used the word creativity in these meetings is because
there is the question of what does 'one China' mean," he said, on
condition of anonymity.
China Tells Taiwan 'One China' Principle Is
Indisputable
(AFP,
March 30, 2000) Beijing warned the new government in Taiwan that it must
accept the island is part of China before any talks could be held, as it
urged foreign dignitaries to stay away from Taiwan. Foreign ministry
spokesman Sun Yuxi said Taiwan's president-elect Chen Shui-bian, who has
campaigned on a pro-independence platform, should accept the "One
China" principle.
Taiwan President Leaves Party Post
(Associated
Press, March 24, 2000) Taiwan's president resigned as leader of the ruling
Nationalist Party on Friday, becoming the biggest victim of the opposition's
stunning upset in Taiwan's presidential elections. Since the party's
humiliating defeat in Saturday's election, protesters have demonstrated
outside the Nationalists' headquarters, demanding that President Lee Teng-hui
resign immediately as party chairman.
Cohen Calls on China to Stop Intimidating Taiwan
(Channel
News Asia, March 11, 2000) US Defence Secretary William Cohen parried charges
by China on Friday that Washington was encouraging "separatist forces"
in Taiwan and called on Bejiing to stop intimidating Taiwan. Accusations by
China's foreign minister that the United States is to blame for the
escalating tension over Taiwan "really exaggerates the situation,"
Mr Cohen said in an interview with CNN.
Chinese Army Asked to Prepare for Taiwan War, as
Leaders Talk Peace
(AFP,
March 8, 2000) China's military has been asked to "prepare
actively" for war with Taiwan, the army daily reported Wednesday, as top
leaders kept up a verbal barrage mixed with talk of peace ahead of Taiwan's
presidential elections.The call to the army was made during a meeting of
senior military delegates to the ongoing annual session of the National
People's Congress (NPC), the Liberation Army Daily said.
Blair: China Not Fighting Taiwan
(Associated
Press, March 7, 2000) Despite its threatening rhetoric, China does not appear
to be preparing for an imminent military engagement with Taiwan, the head of
American forces in the Pacific said Tuesday. "I would assess the
near-term chances of conflict as fairly low," said Adm. Dennis Blair,
commander-in-chief of the Pacific Command.
UN Human Rights Chief Laments
"Deterioration" in China
(AFP,
March 2, 2000) UN human rights chief Mary Robinson said Thursday China's
human rights situation was getting worse, adding to a growing chorus of
disapproval at the muzzling of basic freedoms. "One of our major
concerns is that there does seem to have been a deterioration in human rights
since my last visit in September 1998," the UN human rights commissioner
told a press conference in Beijing.
Taiwanese Mistake Led To 3 Spies' Executions
(Washington
Post, February 20, 2000) When Chinese missiles splashed down close to Taiwan
four years ago, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry issued a statement to reassure
apprehensive citizens: The missiles were unarmed, it said, and the warheads
contained only a device to determine their accuracy. Issuing that statement,
Taiwanese sources now acknowledge, was a bad mistake.
Taiwan Warned Against Possible 'Information War' by
China
(CNA,
Feb. 19, 2000) The Republic of China needs to guard against the possible use
of "information warfare" by mainland China, researchers at a think
tank warned during a seminar on Saturday. Beijing, based on the principle of
taking Taiwan in a single strike, could employ its advanced information
technology edge to intercept Taiwan's strategic information and interfere
with its weaponry and warfare systems.
Jiang Branded Too Soft over Taiwan
(South China Morning Post, Feb. 11, 2000) Hardline former PLA generals have
criticised President Jiang Zemin for being "too soft" towards
Taiwan and its chief supporter, the United States. The volleys came when a
group of retired generals met to discuss the recent decision by the US House
of Representatives to support closer military ties between America and
Taiwan.
China Urges World To Accept It Will Absorb Taiwan
(Reuters, Feb 7, 2000) China urged the world on Sunday to accept its goal of
absorbing Taiwan along the lines of its unification with Hong Kong and Macau
- or else risk consequences "you don't want to see." China has
warned that the risk of war with Taiwan, which it regards as a renegade
province, has risen after the U.S. House of Representatives supported
legislation to provide more military training and support to Taipei.
China Opposes Taiwan's Desire to Join UNCTAD
(The Nation (Thailand), Feb. 5, 2000) Taiwan is eager to join the United
Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and participate in the upcoming
meeting in Bangkok, but China is dead set against its involvement.
CIA Chief Warns of China-Taiwan Flare-Up
(AFP, Feb 3, 2000) Central Intelligence Agency director George Tenet said
Wednesday there was "high potential" for a military flare-up in the
Taiwan Strait this year between China and Taiwan. Rising tension surrounding
Taiwan's presidential elections next month and comments advocating
independence from Taiwan's President Lee Teng-hui could supply the spark to
hostilities, Tenet told a Senate hearing.
China Accuses US Of Seeking World Domination
(AFP, Feb 1, 2000) China Tuesday slammed a White House report on US global
leadership objectives in the next century, saying it was tantamount to a
manifesto for world domination. "'To lead the world' is the same thing
as seeking global hegemony, so this report is the same thing as a manifesto
on the US plan to establish global hegemony in the 21st century," the
leading People's Daily said in a signed commentary.
US Think Tank Reflects Researcher's Own View Only:
FM
(CNA, Jan. 25, 2000) Foreign Affairs Minister Chen Chien-jen said on Tuesday
that a report by a United States think tank reflects only the researcher's
own opinion, and has no bearing on the US' political stance. Chen was
responding to a report by Michael Swaine, a researcher at the
California-based Rand Institute, which criticized the Republic of China's
military procurement policy as being often based on political rather than
military considerations.
Taiwan's Lee Talks To U.S. Conservatives - On Tape
(AFP, Jan 21, 2000) Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui, in a taped address
Thursday to a conference of American conservatives, criticised China's human
rights record and reaffirmed Taiwan's close relationship with its
"strategic partner," the United States. He told activists attending
the Conservative Political Action Conference in Arlington, Virginia, a suburb
of Washington, that Taipei and Washington shared the hope China would one day
"democratize its government, liberalise its economy and have a
pluralistic society."
Pentagon Wants to Deal Arms to Taiwan
(Washington Times, Jan. 21, 2000) The Pentagon wants to make the first new
advanced weapons sales to Taiwan in several years, a deal that includes four
Aegis warships that can be equipped with anti-missile defenses, according to
Clinton administration officials. The ships are equipped with the Aegis
high-technology battle management radar and tracking system that is the heart
of the U.S. Navy's developing sea-based missile defense system.
Taiwan Voices Concerns over Flying Objects From
China
(AFP, Jan. 18, 2000) Taiwan on Tuesday accused China of threatening air
safety in the Taiwan Strait after discovering approximately 10 unidentified
flying objects in the region, officials said. A spokesman for Taiwan's
defense ministry said the objects affected civil and military flights
travelling above the strait when they were spotted Sunday. "The objects
were found flying westward 15,000 feet-24,000 feet (4545.45 meters-7,272.72
meters) in the middle of strait on Sunday."
China Called a Threat at Canal
(Washington Times, Jan. 13, 2000) A Pentagon intelligence report calls
Chinese influence over the Panama Canal a potential threat to U.S. national
security. Last week, Hong Kong's Cheng Ming newspaper quoted Chinese Defense
Minister Chi Haotian as saying war with the United States is inevitable.
"Seen from the changes in the world situation and the United States'
hegemonic strategy for creating monopolarity, war is inevitable."
Berger Says US Will Continue Normal Process
Concerning Taiwan
(CNA, Jan. 7, 2000) In response to news reports that US President Bill
Clinton will increase arms sales to Taiwan before leaving office next
January, White House National Security Adviser Sandy Berger said Thursday
that the United States will continue its normal process to discuss arms sales
with Taiwan and make judgments on defensive equipment that the island may
need.
Beijing Wants Taiwan Leader Shunned
(AP, Jan. 4, 2000) China has some simple advice for Taiwan President Lee
Teng-hui after he retires: Stay home. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday
that Japan, the United States and other unspecified countries should bar Lee
from visiting after he steps down in March. "The countries concerned are
well aware of the position that we have," Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu
Bangzao said.
KMT to Cut Off its Links with Business
(AFP, Jan. 3, 2000) Taiwan Vice-President Lien Chan said the ruling
Kuomintang (KMT) would get out of business and pledged political reforms in a
landmark campaign speech yesterday. In a surprise statement aimed at winning
voters' hearts, he told thousands of supporters that party politics and
business did not mix. "Political parties must end their businesses and
the KMT will take the initiative by having its property entrusted to
professional managers,"
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