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Jan - Jun 2000

Taiwan President Calls for Economic, Cultural Integration with China
(AFP, Dec. 31, 2000) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian on Sunday delivered a call for closer economic and cultural ties with mainland China, but reiterated his opposition to reunification on Beijing's terms. In his first New Year Message since the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) seized power in May, Chen did not embrace Beijing's "one China" norm which stipulates Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. Instead he urged China to give up its threats of military action against the island.

Chinese Look Forward to Taiwan Links
(AP, Dec. 31, 2000) Residents of the lively Chinese port of Xiamen are hoping for a windfall when Taiwan lifts a 51-year-old ban Monday and allows ships and people from two Taiwanese-controlled islands to travel to nearby China to trade, visit relatives or just have fun. Beijing is unenthusiastic, saying Taiwan isn't going far enough with its ``mini-three links,'' which will allow travel only to and from the island fortress of Kinmen, just outside Xiamen's harbor, and Matsu, 5 miles off the Chinese coast farther north.

China Accepts Taiwan Offer to Open Islands
(Washington Post, December 29, 2000) Taiwan and China took a small but significant step toward better ties today with China's acceptance of a Taiwanese plan to open two offshore islands to goods and passengers from the mainland and allow island residents to travel directly to China. Zhang Qiyue, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, announced that Beijing will not block Taiwan's move, but she and other Chinese officials criticized the plan as a piecemeal measure.

China Appears to Accept a Plan by Taiwanese for Direct Links
(Reuters, Dec. 28, 2000) Beijing opened the door today to direct contacts with Taiwan by indicating that it would grudgingly go along with Taipei's plan for limited exchanges between its offshore islands and the Chinese mainland. The move would be an encouraging sign of progress in relations across the Taiwan Strait, which have been frozen since the election in Taiwan this year of President Chen Shui-bian.

Air Force Says it Will Introduce New Strategies
(Taipei Times, Dec. 27, 2000) The air force is to introduce new combat tactics next year into the regular training of fighter pilots in an attempt to reach the strategic goal of "offshore denial of enemy aircraft," the air force announced. The new combat tactics are associated with the adoption of different types of beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, and the combined use of new-generation fighter planes for multi-sortie and multi-directional air defense mission flights.

KMT Heavyweight Meets Wang Daohan
(China Times, Dec. 26, 2000) Wang Daohan, chairman of the PRC's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), said yesterday in a meeting with former Kuomintang Secretary-General John Chang in Shanghai that although Taiwan's current leader has been in office for more than seven months, the mainland authorities have not seen Taiwan take any concrete steps toward embracing the "one China" principle.

Taiwan-Held Islet to Clear Landmines, Open to China
(Reuters, Dec. 25, 2000) The heavily fortified Taiwan-held island of Quemoy, off arch-rival China's southeastern coast, is to invite bids in January for the clearance of landmines to make way for a commercial port after opening up to Chinese visitors. The explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operation is designed to complement a plan by Taiwan to ease a decades-old ban on trade and transport links between its frontline islands and China's Fujian province from 2001 despite simmering political tensions.

Taiwan 'Set for Military Links' with China
(AFP, Dec. 24, 2000) Taiwan's military is laying the groundwork for military exchanges with Beijing, it was reported yesterday, as the island readies to open trial direct links with China on Jan 1. Taiwan's Defence Ministry has lately sent several generals to the United States where they had been guaranteed access to Washington's military-exchange experiences with Beijing since 1994.

China Tested Long-Range Missile Last Saturday
(Reuters, Dec. 23, 2000) China conducted another test of its intercontinental ballistic missile last weekend in a continuing effort to upgrade its force, a U.S. intelligence official said on Friday. The test of the DF-31, first reported by The Washington Times, appeared successful, although the intelligence official said further analysis was needed.

Taiwan Opposition Parties Send Proposal to Impeach Chen Shui-bian
(AFP, Dec. 22, 2000) Taiwan's three major opposition parties on Friday filed a proposal to parliament for the impeachment of President Chen Shui-bian. In the motion, opposition lawmakers called on Chen to respect the constitution, take action for a resumption of talks with the mainland, and improve Taiwan's economy, he said. The PFP whip Li Chin-an told reporters the motion was filed as an official document but it would not be put on the agenda for a vote in the near term.

Taiwan Can Defend Itself, Says Army Chief
(Straits Times, Dec. 22, 2000) Taiwan's armed forces are capable of defending national security, Chief of General Staff General Tang Yao-ming has said in response to a US Defence Department report. The report conceded the existence of several 'gaps' in its understanding of the military capabilities and needs of Taiwan and China which could affect US ability to comply with the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA).

Report Says China Launches Navigation Satellite
(Reuters, Dec. 21, 2000) China launched a locally made navigation satellite into orbit early on Thursday, the Xinhua news agency said, just a month after Beijing announced grand space ambitions in a policy paper. The Beidou satellite was carried aloft by a Long March 3A rocket launched from the Xichang launch center in China's southwest province of Sichuan, the report said.The launch will complete China's first satellite navigation positioning system, it said.

Taiwan's Top Judiciary Hears Nuclear Plant Debate
(AP, Dec. 21, 2000) Opposition lawmakers and government officials squared off on Thursday in Taiwan's highest court, which is trying to decide if the premier illegally scrapped a nuclear plant. During the closed-door hearing for the Grand Justices, three legislators argued that Premier Chang Chun-hsiung violated the constitution when he decided to cancel the US$5.4 billion project, which was approved by the legislature and was one-third complete.

Beijing Expects Washington to Uphold 'Three No's'
(China Times, Dec. 20, 2000) The PRC's Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday issued a warning in response to a U.S. Department of Defense report on the implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act which addressed plans to stop military action by mainland China against Taiwan. In the statement, Beijing said that because the "Taiwan question" has a bearing on the overall state of Sino-American relations, the PRC hopes that both the U.S. government and armed forces will abide by the three joint communiques and the "three no's" policy.

Pentagon Lists "Information Gaps" on China-Taiwan
(Reuters, Dec. 19, 2000) The U.S. Defense Department said on Monday there were three key "gaps" in Washington's ability to assess the potential for any future conflict between China and Taiwan. Details on how authorities in Beijing and Taiwan view their military and political situations. Specifics on training, logistics, doctrine, command and control, special operations and mine warfare in China and on the offshore island. Information to predict how each side's military capabilities will develop in the key areas of missiles and information warfare.

Taiwan, U.S. to Enter 'Strategic Cooperation'
(CNA, Dec. 18, 2000) The Republic of China will formally enter "strategic cooperation" with the United States when its military builds up the "net assessment" capability next year, Ministry of National Defense (MND) sources said Monday. According to MND sources, the U.S. military began to assist the ROC in building up "net assessment" capability after the 1995-96 Taiwan Strait crisis during which time mainland China lobbed missiles and conducted live-fire military exercises at Taiwan's doorstep in an attempt to affect the result of the ROC's first direct presidential election.

China Eager To Work With Bush
(AP, Dec. 18, 2000) The Chinese call him “Xiao Bu-shi,” Little Bush, and remember him as a young visitor in the mid-1970s when his father was the chief American diplomat in a China just beginning to break out of its communist cocoon. Then there are the perennial issues of human rights, trade and Chinese weapons sales to regimes Washington doesn't like. The good news is that both sides have signaled an eagerness to get to know each other quickly.

Delegation Pressing for AEGIS Sale
(Taipei Times, Dec. 18, 2000) A Taiwan delegation visiting the US has been pressing for the sale of four AEGIS destroyers and an unspecified number of diesel submarines in "pre-talks" with US officials last week. The talks, which are expected to be followed by larger arm sales negotiations at a later date, are being led by Admiral Miao Yung-ching, deputy chief of the General Staff. Early indications suggest that the Pentagon supports the sale, although whether or not its goes through will depend on the political climate in Washington

Defense Ministry Denies Developing Weapons of Mass Destruction Claim
(Taipei Times, Dec. 17, 2000) Vice Minister of National Defense Sun Tao-yu denied an analysis report released recently by Canada's national security and intelligence bureau that identifies some 10 nations, including Taiwan, as being suspected of developing chemical or biological weapons. Calling the report "absolutely wrong," Sun reiterated Taiwan's set policy of not developing nor owning nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons, stressing that this position will not change.

Chen Calls for Building Cross-Strait Military Mutual-Trust Mechanism
(CNA, Dec. 16, 2000) President Chen Shui-bian called for the establishment of a military mutual-trust mechanism Friday so as to avoid misunderstandings and misjudgment on both sides. Chen made the call while meeting a group of foreign scholars. Chen said that peace in the Taiwan Strait is the pillar of security for theAsian-Pacific region and therefore in the interests of the United States.

China Warns Future Bush Administration over Taiwan Policy
(AFP, Dec. 15, 2000) China fired a shot across the bows of the future U.S. administration on Friday, warning president-elect George W. Bush not to cause friction over Taiwan. Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said stable Sino-U.S. relations were vital at this point in history and that China was hopeful a Bush government would continue the work of previous administrations to improve ties.

Taiwan Congratulates Bush, Eyes Stronger Ties
(Reuters, Dec. 14, 2000) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian congratulated U.S. president-elect George W. Bush and running mate Dick Cheney on Thursday saying future bilateral ties could be stronger on the basis of common respect for democracy. Analysts say Taiwan stands to benefit more from a Bush victory as the Texas governor takes a harder line towards relations with China, the island's diplomatic rival.

Taiwan Cabinet Approves "Mini-Links" with China
(AFP, Dec. 13, 2000) Taiwan's cabinet on Wednesday approved a year-long trial of the so-called "three mini-links" with rival China, amid appeals for a lifting of the decades-old ban on comprehensive links. Under the mini-links policy, Taiwan will start in January to allow direct trade, transportation and postal services between two of its fortified outlying islands, Kinmen and Matsu, and the mainland.

U.S. Eyes Russian Military Sales to PRC
(Reuters, Dec. 13, 2000) The United States is closely eyeing Russian sales to mainland China of advanced military hardware but does not believe they yet upset the balance across the Taiwan Strait, a senior U.S. diplomat said on Tuesday. Russia has sold Beijing about 50 Sukhoi-27 fighters and several dozen advanced Sukhoi-30 warplanes. It has been lobbying hard to sell its Beriev A-50 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) surveillance planes that would erode Taiwan's dominance of the skies over the Taiwan Strait.

China Runs 2nd Test of Long-Range Missile
(Washington Times, Dec. 12, 2000) China conducted the second flight test of a new intercontinental ballistic missile last month and is preparing for the third test in the next few weeks, a sign Beijing is accelerating its long-range missile program. The flight test of the DF-31 missile was carried out in early November during the visit to China by Gen. Henry H. Shelton, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "This test and plans for the next one show they are moving ahead with their road-mobile long-range missile program," said one Pentagon official.

Lee tells Chen to Compromise on Cross-Strait Bodies
(Taipei Times, Dec. 12, 2000) Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh has urged President Chen Shui-bian to reorganize the National Unification Council (NUC). At a recent meeting with Chen, Lee suggested the NUC be reformed with a proportional membership representing the different political parties. Lee also urged Chen to reconvene the NUC as soon as possible. The NUC was established by the KMT government in 1990 with the stated goal of facilitating unification with China. The DPP, then an opposition party, boycotted the NUC and its pro-unification stance.

National Security Group to React Rapidly to Crises
(South China Morning Post, Dec. 12, 2000) China has set up a top-level advisory group to respond rapidly to national security crises, especially those involving cross-strait clashes and Sino-US tension. The Central National Security Leading Group consists of leaders from the Communist Party, the military, intelligence departments, Foreign Affairs Ministry and Taiwan affairs units. It is expected to provide President Jiang Zemin with advice on diplomatic, military, strategic and technological matters if China faces a national security crisis.

Air Force Pilot Shortage is Temporary: Air Force Brass
(CNA, Dec. 12, 2000) The current shortage of pilots in the Republic of China Air Force is just a transitional and temporary phenomenon, a senior Air Force General Headquarters (AFGH) officer said Monday. AFGH Chief of Staff Chou Wen-chung pointed out that the manpower shortage has mainly been caused by the fact that a number of new pilots of the ranks of first and second lieutenant are now being trained to operate F5 jet fighters and AT-3 trainers in order to accumulate the minimum number of flight hours required for flying a new generation of warplanes.

Partial 'Mini Links' Possible Without Talks: Chiou
(China Times, Dec. 11, 2000) Executive Yuan Secretary-General Chiou I-jen, who serves as chairman of the committee overseeing the "mini links," stated yesterday that even in the absence of cross-strait consultations there are still a few areas where two-way links can be established. Only 20 days remain until January 1, which according to previous announcements is when the administration will implement the "mini links" (direct trade, transportation, and postal links between mainland China and the ROC-controlled islands of Kinmen and Matsu).

Visiting Mainland Official Pitches for Cross-Strait IT Cooperation
(CNA, Dec. 10, 2000) The two sides of the Taiwan Strait should strengthen cooperation in the development information technology (IT) industry, a visiting senior mainland Chinese official said Saturday. Zhang Qi, director of the Department of Economic and Information Products Management under mainland China's Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom Industries, made the remarks after attending a seminar on the IT industry development on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Commander of US 7th Fleet Hopes Cross Strait Dialogue to Be Resumed
(CNA, Dec. 8, 2000) Vice Adm. James Metzger, commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, has said he hopes that the dialogue between Taiwan and mainland China will be resumed soon. Metzger said that the stance of the United States government is to encourage the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to resume their dialogue. He spoke highly of the Republic of China's presidential election and described it as "positive." Although U.S. forces under his command are capable of reaching the Taiwan Strait very quickly, he said he does not expect that it will be necessary.

Be Realistic about US Policy: Tien
(China Post, Dec. 8, 2000) The ROC must not hold any "unrealistic" expectations of a major shift in U.S. cross-strait policy, Foreign Minister Tien Hung-mao said yesterday, a day after President Chen Shui-bian suggested Washington add a "fourth no" to its existing policy of "three no's." "We cannot expect any future U.S. leader to make adjustments in his nation's cross-strait policy during his four-year term," Tien said, adding that Washington's policy has remained consistent since the 1980s.

'Track Two' Team Asks for Confidence-Building Measures
(Taipei Times, Dec. 8, 2000) Kenneth Lieberthal, former senior director of the US National Security Council, urged China and Taiwan yesterday to come up with "confidence-building measures" to reduce cross-strait confrontation. "Both Taiwan and China should encourage their specialists to begin to think through what kinds of confidence-building measures would make sense" to ensure cross-strait stability, Lieberthal said.

Chen Urges US to Add a Fourth 'No'
(Taipei Times, Dec. 7, 2000) President Chen Shui-bian yesterday appealed to the next US government to avoid any more mention of the so-called "three-no's," which US President Bill Clinton declared in Shanghai during his 1998 trip to China. That is, "unless the US government adds a `fourth no' in a formal statement, which should say that the US opposes the use of military force by China to solve the Taiwan issue," Chen told US thinktank members.

'Track-Two' Envoys Mull Taiwan's New Take on 'One China'
(Taipei Times, Dec. 5, 2000) Six prominent US scholars and former government officials are scheduled to start a three-day visit to Taipei today before heading for Shanghai and Beijing as part of "track-two" shuttle diplomacy across the Taiwan Strait. The group, under the aegis of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, includes Kenneth Lieberthal, former senior director of the US National Security Council; Douglas Paal, president of the Asia-Pacific Policy Center; and Winston Lord, co-chairman of the International Rescue Committee.

Taiwan Fears 'Trojan Horse' Strategy
(AP, Dec. 5, 2000) Opening direct air links with the mainland could make Taiwan vulnerable to Chinese jetfighters that evade radar by flying behind civilian airliners, a leading newspaper on Tuesday quoted a Taiwanese air force officer as saying. Taiwan's air force has already drafted plans for stepping up defences at the island's two international airports, the United Daily News quoted Commander-in-Chief Chen Chao-min as saying.

Poll Shows Backing for Cross-Strait Status Quo
(Taipei Times, Dec. 4, 2000) Almost 90 percent of respondents to a survey released yesterday said they prefer to maintain the status quo in cross-strait relations. Among this group, 39.3 percent think the development of relations between the two sides should hinge on the future interaction between the two governments, while 24.4 percent favor unification with the mainland in the future and 12.6 prefer Taiwan to be independent in the future.

Taiwan Negotiating with US on Four Kidd-Class Destroyers: Report
(AFP, Dec. 3, 2000) Taiwan is negotiating with the United States for the acquisition of four powerful Kidd-class destroyers, a leading defense magazine, Jane's Weekly said. The warship would provide the navy with a platform capable of conducting simultaneous anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, the London-based magazine said.

Taiwan Successfully Develops Advanced Anti-Ship Missile
(CNA, Dec. 3, 2000) Taiwan has successfully developed advanced a supersonic anti-ship missile which is said to be superior to the Sunburn missiles that mainland China have acquired from Russia. Researchers at the Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology said Sunday that they have conducted several test fires of the Hsiungfeng-3 missiles, and mass production will begin as soon as the government gives the green light.

PRC Spies Infiltrate ROC Politics, Military: NSB
(China Post, Dec. 2, 2000) Mainland China has beefed up its intelligence operations in Taiwan and a sizable number of politicians and military officers might have been won over, a high-ranking security officer said. An estimated 23,000 mainlanders visit Taiwan each year since the government lifted the ban on such travel in 1988, the National Security Bureau Deputy Director Han Kun told a military seminar. Over 3,000 of them are here on spy activities, he said.

U.S. Urged to Address Imbalance in Cross-Strait Military Might
(CNA, Dec. 1, 2000) Republic of China Premier Chang Chun-hsiung urged the United States Friday to address squarely the growing imbalance of military might on either side of the Taiwan Strait. The premier made the remarks when he received Floyd D. Spencer, chairman of the Committee on Armed Services of the U.S. House of Representatives. He urged the United States to continue to provide Taiwan with defensive weapons in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and to step up cooperation and exchanges with Taiwan's military.

Taiwan Public Pessimistic About Future: Poll
(CNA, Dec. 1, 2000) Pessimism about Taiwan's future reached an eight-year high as political instability and economic gloom topped the list of public concerns in a nationwide survey released by Common Wealth magazine Thursday. In the annually conducted poll, the local magazine reported that the percentage of respondents who are pessimistic about Taiwan's future, at 37 percent, surpassed the percentage of respondents who are optimistic, at 34.5 percent, for the first time. Last year, 50 percent of the respondents were optimistic about Taiwan's future, while only 17.2 percent were pessimistic.

China Flatly Rejects Taiwan's Ice-Breaking Bid
(Reuters, Nov. 30, 2000) China flatly rejected on Thursday as ''word games'' a Taiwan bid to set the stage for reconciliation talks and told arch rival Taipei not to be optimistic about cross-Strait relations. It was the first explicit official Chinese reaction to a Taipei advisory panel's recommendation that Taiwan's constitution could allow President Chen Shui-bian to meet Beijing's demand he embrace the "one China" principle without uttering the words.

China, U.S. OK Military Exchanges
(AP, Nov. 30, 2000) China and the United States tentatively agreed Thursday to more exchanges between their militaries, helping bring a semblance of stability to often rocky ties between the distrustful defense establishments. Two days of talks between U.S. Undersecretary of Defense Walter Slocombe and a raft of Chinese generals exhibited the wavering dynamics that now characterize overall relations.

Advisory Group consensus affirmed by DPP
(China Times, Nov. 30, 2000) The Central Standing Committee of the Democratic Progressive Party issued a formal statement yesterday thanking the President's Advisory Group on Cross-Strait Relations for its hard work in formulating its "three acknowledgements and four suggestions" regarding cross-strait relations. In addition, the committee asked President Chen Shui-bian to give the Advisory Group's consensus serious consideration when formulating mainland China policy.

China Seeks Unification Commitment from Taiwan's President
(Associated Press, Nov. 29, 2000) Piling the pressure on Taiwan's embattled president, China demanded on Wednesday that he commit to unification between them by endorsing an eight-year-old agreement that facilitated earlier talks. It appeared to be an attempt to shrink Chen Shui-bian's room to maneuver in dealing with the issue central to China's policy toward the island: that Taiwan and China are part of a single country and must reunite.

Pentagon Delegation In Beijing For Military Talks
(AFP, Nov. 29, 2000) A senior Pentagon official has arrived in Beijing for two days of talks with Chinese military leaders in the latest of a series of contacts aimed at improving relations between the two countries, the Pentagon said Tuesday. Walter Slocombe, under secretary of defense for policy, will also visit Qingdao naval base and meet with the commander of China's North Sea Fleet.

No Room for US Mediation over Taiwan: China
(AFP, Nov. 28, 2000) China Tuesday rejected calls by Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian for US efforts to defuse tension between the two sides and warned it would not accept any foreign interference on the issue. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue also said Beijing had in no way softened its definition of the "One China" principle enshrining its claim of sovereignty over Taiwan.

Chen Confident Ties With China Won't Worsen
(Reuters, Nov. 28, 2000) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian is confident the island's relations with rival China will not worsen in the next 12 months. Chen told visiting former U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle on Monday his six-month-old government was committed to stabilizing ties with China to create a healthy investment environment.

Presidential Task Force Recommendations Criticized by Opposition
(CNA, Nov. 27, 2000) The conclusions of a cross-party panel charged by President Chen Shui-bian with working out consensus on cross-Taiwan Strait issues were derided Monday as a "conclusion without conclusions" by three opposition parties. Noting the panel's suggestion calling on Chen to "respond to Being's `one China' claim ... according to the Republic of China Constitution" is so vague that it is virtually giving Chen a free hand to characterize Taiwan's status in its dealings with the mainland.

President's Advisors Make Suggestions
(Taipei Times, Nov. 27, 2000) The President's Advisory Group on Cross Strait Relations yesterday appealed to President Chen Shui-bian to deal with cross-strait disputes and react to Beijing's "one China" principle in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of China. The advisory group also made public a statement of "three acknowledgements and four suggestions" after a five-hour closed-door meeting, saying that it could be regarded as the group's formal suggestions to Chen.

Advisory Group Presents New Suggestions on Cross-Strait Ties
(CNA, Nov. 26, 2000) Taipei - The President's Advisory Group on Cross-Taiwan Strait Relations suggested Sunday that the president promote cross-strait relations, resolve bilateral disputes, and respond to Beijing's "one China" stance in line with the Republic of China Constitution. … the group also suggested at their seventh meeting Sunday that the president establish a new mechanism or coordinate the existing mechanisms so as to work out a consensus in society on the issues of national development and cross-strait relations.

Tycoons Urge Chen to Open Cross-Strait Links
(CNA, Nov. 26, 2000 ) A group of leading businessmen met with President Chen Shui-bian yesterday, urging an early relaxation of current policy guarding cross-strait trade. The group, led by Formosa Plastics Group chairman Wang Yung-ching, said Taiwan will face not only economic, but also political challenges, and that it also has to share the pain of an anticipated slowdown in the global economy.

Taiwan Vice President Rejects Beijing's "One China" Policy
(Reuters, Nov. 24, 2000) Taiwan's outspoken Vice President Annette Lu warned the island against falling into rival China's trap on Friday and said bowing to Beijing's "One China" policy was tantamount to surrender. "Voices in favor of unification are louder and louder at the moment. They say we should accept 'One China'. Accepting 'one China' is equivalent to surrender," Lu said in a speech.

China Stresses Flexibility in Courting Taiwan
(CNN, Nov. 24, 2000) China is heavily courting Taiwan's business leaders and opposition parties. The strategy comes as a Chinese vice premier told a senior Taiwan opposition leader on Thursday that Beijing is now more flexible on a major block on the road to better ties with the island, state media said. The Xinhua news agency said Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen offered Wu Poh-hsiung, vice chairman of Taiwan's Nationalist Party, a formula on the key "One China" issue that was flexible and broad enough to make it acceptable to Taiwan, a renegade province in Beijing's eyes.

Japan, China, Korea Forge Closer Economic Links
(Reuters, Nov. 24, 2000) China, Japan and South Korea agreed on Friday to forge closer economic links in a move towards closer integration that could lead to the establishment of a new permanent political grouping in East Asia. The agreement came ahead of talks with 10 Southeast Asian leaders who put aside their many domestic problems for a while to thrash out ways of develop closer links of their own so they can better cope with fast changing global economic trends.

Military Plans New Information Warfare Unit
(Taipei Times, Nov. 23, 2000) The military plans to establish its first information warfare (IW) force by year's end at the earliest to counter the new threat from China's "net force," which has been in operation for several years, defense authorities said yesterday. The proposed IW force, which is to be composed of almost an entire battalion of specialized troops, is scheduled to be independent of any service and is to be directly controlled by the office of the chief of the general staff.

'One China' Fray Divides Politicians
(China Post, Nov. 23, 2000) The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) will adhere to the consensus formed by the cross-strait task force regarding the sovereignty row with Beijing only after it becomes government policy, said Chen Ming-tong, MAC vice chairman. However, MAC Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen, pitting herself against the panel, was reported to have said that the "one China" issue does not have to be resolved urgently. Nobel scholar Lee, tapped by Chen to find common ground on the thorny cross-strait issue, has strongly suggested that the Chen administration recognize the "one China" principle.

China Pushes Higher Profile For ASEAN Talks With Japan, South Korea
(AFP, Nov. 22, 2000) China wants to raise the profile of a three-way meeting with Japan and South Korea at this week's ASEAN plus-three forum in Singapore, with its plans for an Asian monetary fund on the agenda. Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and South Korean President Kim Dae Jung will meet on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus-three summit which opens Friday.

China Escapes U.S. Arms Sanctions, Iran, Pakistan Hit
(Reuters, Nov. 21, 2000) The United States said on Tuesday it was waiving sanctions against China for past missile technology transfers to Iran and Pakistan but imposing them on these two states for receiving the equipment. China was liable for sanctions because of the transfers of technology including whole missiles, in Pakistan's case, or in Iran's, of components to make them, Boucher said. But President Clinton, who leaves office in January, had granted a waiver because China's foreign ministry had pledged to clean up its act on arms technology exports.

UN Rights Chief Meets Chinese President, Amid Criticism
(AFP, Nov. 21, 2000) UN human rights chief Mary Robinson held talks Tuesday with Chinese President Jiang Zemin as pressure groups complained China was not being held to account for routine violations of human rights.

Taiwan Ready to Head off China's Latest Threat: Defence Minister
(AFP, Nov. 20, 2000) Taiwan is ready to defend itself against an invasion from China, Defense Minister Wu Shih-wen reassured parliament in response to the latest threat from the mainland.

UN'S Robinson In China To Sign Rights Pact
(Reuters, Nov. 20, 2000) United Nations human rights chief Mary Robinson arrived in Beijing on Monday for meetings expected to produce a landmark agreement on rights cooperation with China.

War in Taiwan Strait in Five Years
(AFP, Nov. 19, 2000) "During the period of the 10th five-year plan, it is certain that war would break out in the Taiwan strait," said Zhang Wannian, vice chairman of the central military commission, at an equipment conference in southern China's Guangzhou city last month, the Oriental Daily News said.

Taiwan Ruling Party Chief Hints At Embracing "One China" Norm
(AFP, Nov. 19, 2000) Frank Hsieh, chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has long advocated independence, has spoken of the need to obey the constitution based on the principle of "one China." He said he himself was not fully satisfied with the constitution enforced in 1946 when the Kuomintang (KMT) still ruled the mainland. "But the constitution should be acceptable to people of different political stance... After all the constitution has been interpreted with different definitions," Hsieh said.

KMT Vice Chair, Ex-DPP Chair Leave for Mainland Visit
(CNA, Nov. 18, 2000) Main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Vice Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung left for mainland China Friday to attend a world Hakka amity meeting to be held in Xiamen, a port city in Fujian province, which lies opposite Taiwan. Wu, who had been Taipei mayor, interior minister and Presidential Office secretary-general under the previous KMT government, is the highest-level KMT official to visit the mainland.

Rand Urges Policy of 'Strategic Clarity'
(United Daily News, Nov. 15, 2000) Rand is advising the new administration to replace the "strategic ambiguity" policy that has characterized U.S. policy toward Taiwan for two decades with a stance of "strategic clarity." In addition, the think tank's report recommends simultaneous engagement and containment of Beijing. According to Rand, "strategic clarity" means that the U.S. would strongly oppose any unilateral moves by Taiwan toward independence, while supporting Taiwan against any unprovoked attack from mainland China.

China Names Two New Deputy Heads of Top Taiwan Policy Agency
(AFP, Nov. 7, 2000) China has named two new deputy heads for its Taiwan Affairs Office, the government's top agency dealing with Taiwan, state press reported Tuesday. Zhou Mingwei, previously head of the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office, and Wang Zaixi, a major general, were appointed deputy directors to the office which oversees Taiwan affairs for the Chinese cabinet.

Taiwan Opposition Steps Closer to Ousting Chen
(Reuters, Nov. 7, 2000) Taiwan's opposition-dominated legislature on Tuesday moved a step closer to dismissing President Chen Shui-bian by revising rules on ousting the island's head of state. A Nationalist Party-led opposition coalition, which commands an overwhelming majority in the 220-seat parliament, passed legislation requiring that any motion to dismiss the president be voted on in public instead of by secret ballot.

New Chinese Missile Could Form Menace To Taiwan, Expert Says
(AFP, Nov. 6, 2000) A new missile which China has shown to the public for the first time could pose a grave threat to the defense of Taiwan if deployed, a U.S. military expert said.The missile, which has not been given an official Chinese name, appeared at the Zhuhai airshow in south China, attached to a model of the Chinese-made JH-7 fighter-bomber, also known as the "Flying Leopard."

Opposition Parties Unyielding on Recall Effort
(China Post, Nov. 6, 2000) Opposition parties are showing no sign of easing their stand on dismissing President Chen Shui-bian in spite of Chen's public apology yesterday for the timing of the Cabinet's announcement for scrapping the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant. The opposition today accused the president of lacking sincerity, and of failing to address legal aspects of the decision to cancel the power project.

Taiwan's President Apologises over Nuclear Row
(AFP, Nov. 5, 2000) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian on Sunday apologised to the leading opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and the public for the political tensions sparked by the scrapping of a partly built 5.6 billion US dollar nuclear power plant. The surprise apology came two days before the three major opposition parties plan to raise a parlimentary motion to impeach Chen.

Russia-China Military Transfers Get Boost After Talks
(Straits Times, Nov. 4, 2000) High-tech military transfers from Moscow to Beijing will be boosted following talks here yesterday between Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji and his Russian counterpart. According to the communique, Mr Zhu and Russian Premier Mikhail Kasynov signed 14 new pacts and set up sub-committees on space and banking to promote high-tech military transfers from Russia to China and boost sluggish bilateral trade.

U.S., China Generals Discuss Taiwan
(AP, Nov. 3, 2000) Senior U.S. and Chinese generals discussed Taiwan on Friday, with Washington's top commander urging Beijing to seek peace with the island and China complaining that American arms sales made that difficult. Differences over Taiwan punctuated meetings by Gen. Henry H. Shelton, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the start of his four-day mission to improve ties between the countries' militaries.

US, Japan Begin Joint Military Exercises
(AP, Nov. 3, 2000) Japanese and US troops began large-scale military exercises that will include the biggest-ever search-and-rescue drill by the two countries. Held every two years, the joint manoeuvres are intended to ""increase the defensive readiness'' of Japan's Self-Defence Forces and US military personnel stationed here. This year they will involve a total of 21,400 military personnel, about 20 ships and 300 aircraft over 17 days.

Taiwan Disasters Push Politics Into Background
(Reuters, Nov. 2, 2000) Opposition parties softened their public attacks on Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian on Thursday after a deadly air crash and a typhoon, and they may delay a bid to oust the embattled leader out of respect for the dead. The Nationalist Party, which has been leading an opposition bid in the legislature for Chen's dismissal, has curbed its attacks on Chen since the plane crashed on Tuesday night.

Opposition Recall Drive Gaining Strength
(Taipei Times, Nov. 1, 2000) A drive by opposition parties to recall President Chen Shui-bian yesterday continued to gain support from legislators while lawmakers voted to cancel a scheduled interpellation session with Premier Chang Chun-hsiung. "We have collected 122 petition signatures [as of yesterday's legislative session] for a vote to recall the president, however, our goal is 150 signatures so as to show our strength," said KMT Legislator Ting Shou-chung.

Taiwanese Opposition Unifies Against President
(Washington Post, Nov. 1, 2000) Leaders of Taiwan's three main opposition parties pushed ahead today with a bid to remove President Chen Shui-bian from office, announcing that they had collected enough votes in parliament to begin a dismissal effort. It remained unclear whether this new anti-Chen coalition, whose leaders' suspicions of one another rival their determination to topple Chen, could hold together long enough to see the effort through.

Taiwan Opposition Pushes to Oust President
(Reuters, Oct. 31, 2000) An opposition drive to oust Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian gathered steam on Tuesday with opponents ignoring attempts to defuse his biggest crisis since taking office in May. The three major opposition parties, which far outnumber Chen's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in parliament, said they had collected enough signatures from legislators for a motion to dismiss him.

Taiwan's Chen Moves to Avert Constitutional Crisis
(Reuters, Oct. 30, 2000) Taiwan's embattled government moved Monday to avert a constitutional crisis and prop up financial markets battered by its decision last week to halt construction of a controversial nuclear power plant. President Chen Shui-bian has invited the heads of the five branches of government -- executive, legislative, judicial, examination and the island's top government watchdog -- to a meeting Monday evening in a bid to defuse mounting pressure.

Taiwan's Opposition Challenges President's Nuclear Plant Decision
(AP, Oct. 29, 2000) Taiwan's opposition parties will challenge a presidential order to scrap a partially completed nuclear plant, threatening to set off a constitutional and financial crisis for the island's five-month old government. Lawmakers of the opposition People First Party and Nationalist Party will close ranks and seek new legislation to reverse the decision of President Chen Shui-bian to abandon Taiwan's fourth nuclear plant, party leaders said Sunday.

Lien Tells Chen About 'One China' Consensus
(Straits Times, Oct. 28, 2000) It is a fact that there was a consensus between China and Taiwan in 1992, Kuomintang chairman Lien Chan told President Chen Shui-bian yesterday in a two-hour meeting that was broadcast live. Mr Lien stressed that as one of the participants of the 1992 proceedings that led to cross-strait talks in Singapore in 1993, he knew for a fact that there was a consensus on ""one China'', which was that the two sides would express verbally what each meant by ""one China''.

Taiwan Ends Construction of Its 4th Nuclear Plant
(New York Times, Oct. 28, 2000) President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan halted construction today on a nuclear power plant that had been championed by the country's former officials and had come to symbolize the wide gulf between them and the new president. Prime Minister Chang Chun- hsiung, who announced the decision, said building a fourth nuclear plant in Taiwan was unnecessary and would create unacceptable environmental and safety hazards.

Premier Confirms Cancellation of Nuclear Plant
(Taiwan Headlines, Oct. 27, 2000) Premier Chang Chun-hsiung announced that the Executive Yuan has decided to cancel the partly built Fourth Nuclear Power Plant. According to Chang, the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant is not only an economic issue, but also critical to the existence of Taiwan's 23 million people.

Security Bureau Approves Small Links
(Taipei Times, Oct. 26, 2000) Taiwan's national security system is ready for the government's plan to implement the "small three links" -- direct communication, transportation and trade links between Taiwan's outlying islands, such as Kinmen and Matsu, with China -- said National Security Bureau (NSB) director-general Ting Yu-chou.

China has Deployed Missiles to Protect HK, Says Report
(AFP, Oct.. 24, 2000) China has deployed specialist air defence guided-missile forces in Shenzhen, which neighbours Hongkong, and its surrounding islands to guard against attacks from Taiwan, a report said yesterday. Chinese-language daily newspaper The Sun said the People's Liberation Army (PLA) had set up four camps, which included the air defence units. The decision to set up an air defence zone was reportedly in preparation for the possible outbreak of war in the Taiwan Strait, which could see the island retaliate by directing its missiles at Shenzhen and Hongkong.

Chen Reiterates 'Go South' Policy
(CAN, Oct. 23, 2000) President Chen Shui-bian said recently that there have been no changes in the government's "go south" policy, under which Taiwanese enterprises are encouraged to invest in Southeast Asia in order to lessen economic dependence on mainland China. The president said Taiwan is one of major countries in Southeast Asia, and it is regrettable that the ROC has been barred from taking part in activities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) simply for political reasons.

Chinese Premier Cold to Taiwan's Bid to Mend Fences
(Reuters, Oct. 22, 2000) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian sought again last week to reconcile arch-rival China, but Premier Zhu Rongji dismissed his overtures, saying he could not understand Chen's language. "(When) Chen Shui-bian speaks, today he says this, tomorrow he says that. I can't understand," "Although it is Chinese, I cannot understand," Zhu said in Seoul, where he attended the third Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). He did not elaborate.

China Unlikely to Go to War over Taiwan for Now: IISS
(AFP, Oct.19, 2000) China is too preoccupied with joining the World Trade Organisation and suppressing the spiritual Falungong group to go to war over Taiwan. But the International Institute for Strategic Studies said China was still steadily building up its military capability with help from Russia and was estimated to have spent 40 billion dollars on defence last year. The London-based institute's annual Military Balance report said China's priority in 2000 was economic reform to prepare for WTO entry, probably early next year.

On National Day, China Lauds Economic Recovery, Urges Taiwan to Unify
(AP, Oct. 1, 2000) Celebrating 51 years of communist rule, China's premier on Saturday applauded a nascent economic recovery and urged rival Taiwan not to delay unification. While stressing China wants peace, Zhu added that "we also have the strong determination and have made necessary preparations to resolutely check the activities for 'Taiwan independence."'

China Confident of Taiwan Reunification: Zhu
(AFP, Sept. 30, 2000) Taiwan's reunification with mainland China should not be put off indefinitely and Beijing is confident the island will return to Chinese sovereignty at an early date, China's Premier Zhu Rongji said Saturday, in a speech ahead of the mainland's National Day. "The complete reunification of our motherland is the common aspiration of all the Chinese people, including our compatriots in Taiwan. The question of Taiwan cannot be put off indefinitely.”

Pentagon Approves Arms Sales to Taiwan
(AP, Sept. 29, 2000) The Pentagon said yesterday it plans a series of arms sales to Taiwan valued at $1.3 billion, including 200 supersonic air-to-air missiles and advanced military communications systems. The Pentagon said it plans to sell Taiwan 200 AIM-120C medium-range air-to-air missiles to enhance the defensive capabilities of Taiwan's F-16 fighters. Although Taiwan had previously asked to buy this type of missile, this is the first time the Pentagon has approved the sale. That portion of the deal is valued at $150 million.

China-Japan Sea Border Talks End Without Resolution
(AFP, Sept. 29, 2000) Japanese and Chinese officials were unable to reach a resolution on their sea border dispute following two days of talks, Japanese diplomatic sources said in Beijing on Thursday. A sea border demarcation dispute between the two countries reached new tensions this summer after Tokyo alleged that Chinese vessels seen in Japanese waters were spying. Beijing has claimed the vessels were carrying out research operations.

Taiwan President Says Singapore's Lee Not Emissary
(Reuters, Sept. 28, 2000) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said on Wednesday Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew was not an emissary and did not deliver any messages from rival China, a day after Lee wrapped up his controversial visit to the island. "Senior Minister Lee is not a so-called mediator or an emissary. He didn't carry any messages," Chen, who met Lee twice during his four-day visit, said.

Pentagon Report Says Taiwan Can Handle AEGIS
(Taipei Times, Sept. 27, 2000) A classified Pentagon report concludes that Taiwan's navy has sufficient manpower and capability to operate, integrate and maintain the four AEGIS destroyers whose sale had been put off by US President Bill Clinton last April. Clinton decided last April to sell a package of high-tech weapons to Taiwan, but on the Pentagon's recommendation, put off the sale of four AEGIS destroyers, diesel submarines and P-3 Orion anti-submarine aircraft.

Singapore's Lee Meets Taiwan Leaders, Coy on Details
(Reuters, Sept. 26, 2000) Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew held talks with senior Taiwan officials on Monday and there is speculation he is trying to help break the stalemate between Taipei and Beijing. Lee arrived on Saturday for a four-day private visit and on Monday met opposition leaders Lien Chen, who is chairman of the main opposition Nationalist Party, and James Soong, chairman of the People First Party.

Taiwan President Meets Singapore's Lee amid Opposition
(AFP, Sept. 24, 2000) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian and visiting Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew met on Sunday to discuss the icy ties between Taipei and Beijing, sparking protests from independence activists here. It is widely speculated that Lee may have come to Taiwan to talk about bridging the gulf between China and Taiwan, and many believe he favours the island's reunification with the mainland. DPP Chairman Frank Hsieh declined to meet the former Singaporean head of state despite Lee's pre-trip pledge not to act as a "mediator" over the Taipei-Beijing row.

DPP Now Taiwan's Largest Political Party: Survey
(CNA, Sept. 23, 2000) The Democratic Progressive Party is now Taiwan's largest political party, outshining the other parties in terms of public support, according to the results of a survey released Saturday. The DPP received the support of 25 percent of the public, compared to 10 percent for the Kuomintang and the People First Party each, and 1 percent for the New Party, according to the poll.

Senate Approves Normalized Trade With China, 83-15
(Washington Post, Sept. 20, 2000) The Senate voted by a huge margin yesterday to normalize trade relations with China, capping one of the biggest legislative battles of the year and heightening the prospect of a historic economic opening by the world's most populous country.

Lee Kwan Yew Sees Threat of Conflict
(United Daily News, Sep. 18, 2000) Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Kwan Yew said in a recent television interview that his concern over cross-strait relations is based on an interest in preventing regional conflict, and that the danger of such a conflict genuinely exists.
Lee contended that the people of mainland China will not permit any leader to lose Taiwan, and if anyone allows Taiwan to go independent, that leader will be toppled.

Taiwan May Ease China Direct Link Ban Before Year End
(Reuters, Sept. 16, 2000) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian offered Saturday to ease a decades-old ban on direct trade and transport links with China before the end of the year if Beijing resumed fence-mending talks. “We are willing to push for 'three links' before the end of the year if everybody can sit down, can hold dialogue and can negotiate,'' Chen told a news conference.

Taiwan Asks China to Put Commerce before Politics (Financial Times, Sept. 15, 2000) Chen Shui-bian, Taiwan's president appealed to mainland China to put aside political differences with Taipei and focus on building commercial relations. President Chen Interview Transcript

China Foils Taiwan's U.N. Bid
(AP, Sep. 8, 2000) China has blocked Taiwan's bid to join the United Nations for the eighth straight year, prompting Taiwanese officials on Friday to accuse Beijing of ``sinister behavior.'' The committee's chairman, former Finish Premier Harri Holkeri, made the ruling after representatives from 47 nations opposed the proposal. Only 19 nations supported the measure. China, the United States, Britain, France and Russia, all permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, opposed the measure.

'Customs Territory' is Nixed by Clinton
(Taipei Times, Sep. 8, 2000) US President Bill Clinton has vowed that the US will not accept Beijing's proposal to label Taiwan a "customs territory of China" in documents related to China's entry into the WTO. Clinton said in a letter to Senator Jon Kyl that China had given assurances that it would not seek to block Taiwan's eventual admission into the world trade group. Kyl, along with 30 other Senators, wrote Clinton on July 27 to urge the administration to reject China's demands for the WTO to treat Taiwan as a part of China. Clinton's response was dated Aug. 31.

China Insists Taiwan Should Join WTO as A Part of China
(AFP, Sep. 7, 2000) China insisted Thursday Taiwan should join the WTO as a part of Chinese territory, raising concerns that China's entry to the trade body could be stalled due to disagreements over the matter. Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi said China has always supported Taiwan joining the international trade body, but only as a part of China. The issue threatens to complicate the final stages of China's 13-year bid to join the WTO as US President Bill Clinton on Wednesday said he objected to China claiming sovereignty over Taiwan in documents pertaining to its WTO membership.

DPP Does Not Rule Out "Unification" as Option for Taiwan's Future
(CNA, Sep. 6, 2000) The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has resolved its pro-independence platform issue and its current goal is to maintain Taiwan's status quo, the ruling party chairman said Wednesday in an interview with a local radio station. DPP Secretary-General Wu Nai-jen pointed out that it is no secret the DPP favors independence over unification. "Nevertheless, the DPP has no intention of forcing others to accept its preference or choice," he added. According to Wu, the DPP will accept the result if the people of Taiwan opt for unification through a plebiscite.

No `Open Door' to China Yet
(Taipei Times, Sep. 6, 2000) Despite pressure from the business sector to liberalize investment in China, the "no haste, be patient" policy is unlikely to be revised any time soon. That was the gist of a statement yesterday by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), following an inter-ministerial meeting held Monday to discuss the future of the "no haste, be patient" restrictions.

Beijing Official Accuses Taiwan Leader of Separatism
(New York Times, Sep. 5, 2000) A Chinese spokesman today attacked Taiwan's president, Chen Shui-bian, for remarks suggesting that his island's unification with China was not inevitable, calling them "very dangerous." China's patience with Mr. Chen since he took office in May is beginning to wear thin, Zhang Mingqing, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said in a news conference. "Viewing his first 100 days, we think he is not moving toward accepting the one-China principle and is instead moving in the direction of Taiwan separatism," Mr. Zhang said.

Task Force Debates 'One China'
(Taipei Times, Sep. 5, 2000) The question of whether the 1992 consensus on "one China, interpreted separately by each side" will be the key which unlocks the impasse in cross-strait relations was the subject of debate among senior Democratic Progressive Party officials and members of the cross-party task force yesterday.
Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh had called for a return to the consensus in his speech to the task force before its initial meeting.

Taipei's Transit Request Puts US in Tight Spot
(Financial Times, Sep. 4, 2000) Taiwan has asked Washington to allow Annette Lu, the island's outspoken vice-president, to make a stopover visit in the US, a proposal that will provoke opposition from Beijing and raise sensitivities among US officials. Beijing last month strongly protested against a transit visit to Los Angeles by Chen Shui-bian, Taiwan's president, during a six-nation tour intended to cement Taipei's ties with its small band of diplomatic allies.

Taipei Official Hopes For Contacts In Beijing
(Reuters, Sep. 4, 2000) A senior Taiwan official held out hopes on Monday of high-level meetings during a four-day stay in Beijing, where authorities so far have held him at arms length. Bai Hsiu-hsiung, vice mayor of Taipei and the most senior official to visit the mainland since Taiwan's new government took power in May, said he was touring China in a private capacity on a social welfare fact-finding mission.

Taiwan Renews Invitation to China Envoy to Visit
(Reuters, Sep. 3, 2000) Taiwan's top envoy for relations with China has renewed an invitation to his Chinese counterpart to visit the island, saying obstacles to the trip have disappeared, media said on Sunday. Koo Chen-fu, chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation, a semi-official body responsible for dealing with China, urged Wang Daohan on Saturday to accept his invitation and jointly push forward bilateral ties which are at a virtual stalemate.

Chen Defends Supra-Party Panel on Mainland Affairs
(CNA, Sep. 2, 2000) President Chen Shui-bian said Saturday that the Supra-Party Panel on Mainland Affairs is established to solicit the opinions of people and to pursue the best solution of cross-strait disputes. The panel and the National Unification Council (NUC) are both consultative agencies for the president on mainland affairs, and their co-existence would be complementary, and would make the nation's mainland policy sounder and more stable, said the president in an attempt to defuse criticism from the opposition parties that the two are overlapping as far as their roles are concerned.

Risking China's Ire, Taiwan Leader Questions Unification
(New York Times, Sep. 2, 200) Since he came to power in May, Taiwan's new president, Chen Shui-bian, has labored to persuade China that he is not a wild-eyed separatist, driven by dreams of Taiwanese independence. But Mr. Chen's charm offensive has come to an abrupt end. In an interview here today, he took a harder line toward the Chinese government on the crucial issue of when -- or even whether -- Taiwan and China will be unified.

China Applauds Clinton NMD Decision As 'Rational'
(Reuters, Sep. 2, 2000) China applauded President Clinton Saturday as rational for leaving it to his successor to decide whether to deploy a national missile defense (NMD) system and made clear it hoped the plan would die. Beijing trenchantly opposes U.S. plans for an NMD and a related Theater Missile Defense (TMD) for Asia, saying it would spark a new arms race and upset the world strategic balance.

Taiwan's Military Seeks Better Arms
(Financial Times, Aug. 31, 2000) When Wu Shih-wen, Taiwan's new defence minister, appeals for more money for the military, he is assured of a sympathetic hearing from his cabinet boss. Unfortunately for Mr Wu, however, his former comrade is finding it hard to put Taiwan's money where his mouth used to be. Mr Tang, a one-time fighter pilot, has unveiled a 2001 draft budget that makes welfare and education a priority and marks a new decline in defence outlay as a proportion of total spending.

Li Peng Attacks Missile Shield Plan
(South China Morning Post, Aug. 31, 2000) After a lapse of eight years, National People's Congress Chairman Li Peng yesterday returned to the United Nations and hit out at a US plan to build a national missile defence shield, promoted China's sovereignty over Taiwan and defended Beijing's commitment to political reform.

Despite Tensions, China and Japan Reaffirm Ties
(New York Times, Aug. 30, 2000) During a visit by Japan's foreign minister, Japan and China have affirmed their friendship, resolved to remain peaceful partners and scheduled a visit to Japan in October by Prime Minister, Zhu Rongji. Yet there have been unavoidable reminders of the tensions that always lurk in relations between these two Asian powers that are struggling to contain a strategic rivalry.

Japan Presses China on Military Ambitions
(Financial Times, Aug. 29, 2000) Japan urged China on Monday to be more transparent over its military intentions and foreign aid policy to allay growing "feelings of distrust" among the Japanese people. The blunt message brought to Beijing by Yohei Kono, the Japanese foreign minister, comes after bilateral tensions were heightened by several incursions from Chinese warships and research vessels into Japan's 200 nautical mile economic exclusion zone.

Taiwan Says No Predetermined Stance on China Union
(Reuters, Aug. 28, 2000) President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan's pro-independence ruling party held out an olive branch to arch-rival Beijing on Monday, saying he has no predetermined stance on whether to reunify with China and that any scenario is a possibility. “We don't have a predetermined stance, but we also cannot have a predetermined conclusion,” Chen said, apparently referring to whether Taiwan should reunify with or declare independence from China. “Any option is a possibility, but it must respect the free will and the final choice and decision of Taiwan's 23 million people.”

Beijing Redefines Dogma in Overture to Taiwan
(Reuters, Aug. 27, 2000) Taiwan newspapers said on Saturday that Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen had redefined Beijing's sacred "one China" principle, but local analysts say the overture falls short of the island's expectations. Qian met a delegation from the United Daily News group in Beijing on Thursday and redefined the "one China" principle, saying: "The mainland and Taiwan both belong to one China."

Pentagon Moves Cruise Missiles to Guam
(AFP, Aug. 25, 2000) The US Air Force moved conventional air-launched cruise missiles (CALCMs) to the Pacific island of Guam earlier this month, allowing the United States to respond more quickly to crises from the Gulf to the Korean peninsula, air force officials said Friday.

Taiwan President Wraps up Visit to Central America
(AFP, Aug. 20, 2000) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian wrapped up his first trip to Central America Saturday, after receiving backing for the island's inclusion in international groups. In exchange for that diplomatic support, Chen has pledged financial support and technical assistance for the region. During this tour, Chen visited Nicaragua, Costa Rica in Central America and the Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic -- three small Latin American countries which officially recognize Taiwan as an independent country.

Chen Says Don't Blame China for Setbacks
(Taipei Times, Aug. 17, 2000) President Chen Shui-bian on Tuesday urged the nation's foreign affairs officials to quit using "oppression from China" as an excuse when foreign relations suffer a setback. "I've noticed that many of our government colleagues and people think that China's oppression and obstructions are the best excuse when our foreign relations break down," Chen said.

Taiwanese Practice Seeking Shelter
(AP, Aug. 16, 2000) Traffic came to an eery halt and shoppers scurried into subway stations and basements Tuesday as Taiwanese practiced taking cover from a Chinese air attack. The annual drill was a reminder of the threat the island faces from its giant communist neighbor, about 100 miles across the Taiwan Strait.

House Member, Taiwan Leader Meet in L.A.
(Reuters, Aug. 15, 2000) Defying the Clinton administration, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) said today he met informally with Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian during an overnight stop in the United States and told Chen he had broad support and should "be strong" in the face of challenges from Beijing. Making a 15-hour stopover in Los Angeles before flying to the Caribbean, Central America and Africa on his first foreign tour, Chen declined an invitation to meet with some members of Congress after the State Department made public its opposition, saying official recognition of Chen could anger China, which has declared sovereignty over Taiwan.

'Track Two' Talks Begin in New York
(China Times, Aug. 14, 2000) A trilateral "Track II" round-table conference began with a banquet in New York yesterday evening. Participants include major political, governmental and academic figures from Washington, Beijing and Taipei. Organized by the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, the conference is set to address Taiwan's mainland policy in the wake of Chen Shui-bian's election as president, plus the cross-strait policies of the Republicans and the Democrats, with the aim of encouraging new ideas and dialogue.

Taiwan President Cancels U.S. Event
(AP, Aug. 13, 2000) Taiwanese officials showed no signs of disappointment or anger Sunday about the cancellation of a rare U.S. meeting between their president and members of Congress – a gathering that would have infuriated rival China. Hours before President Chen Shui-bian was to board a plane for the United States, a Foreign Ministry official downplayed the canceled meeting, telling reporters that Chen's 16-hour layover in Los Angeles was too brief for special meetings.

Taiwan President to Embark on First Overseas Trip
(Reuters, Aug. 12, 2000) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian heads off on Sunday on his first overseas trip since taking office, flying into a possible storm with Beijing over a U.S. stopover and leaving behind him a fractious government. Beijing has already vented its fury over Washington's permission for Chen's 15-hour stopover in Los Angeles en route to Central America, calling it a breach of U.S. promises not to have official contacts with Taipei.

No Cheque-Book Diplomacy for Chen
(South China Morning Post, Aug. 12, 2000) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian is likely to keep his purse strings tight during a 13-day visit to six poor allies in Latin America and West Africa. Brushing off rumours that the Government would carry on with the cheque-book diplomacy policy of the former Kuomintang government to try to maintain official ties with it allies, Foreign Minister Tien Hung-mao said it was unlikely the President would offer monetary gifts to any of those states during his visit.

2 Lawmakers Raise a Storm With Plan to See Taiwan Chief
(New York Times, Aug. 11, 2000) Two lawmakers, one a Republican and the other a Democrat, hope to meet with Taiwan's new president during his overnight layover in California on Sunday despite warnings from the State Department that the transit visa granted to him precludes public events, officials said today. The proposed meeting with President Chen Shui-bian, which immediately drew vigorous protests from China, comes as President Clinton, party officials and thousands of news reporters converge in Los Angeles for the Democratic convention.

Taiwan's Allies and China Clash over U.N. seat for Taiwan
(Associated Press, Aug. 10, 2000) Taiwan's allies called Thursday for the economically powerful island to join the United Nations, but China insisted that Taiwan is one of its provinces and not eligible to be a U.N. member. The rival views, spelled out in letters to Secretary-General Kofi Annan, set the stage for an eighth attempt by Taiwan's allies to get the U.N. General Assembly to consider membership for Taiwan when it meets in September.

Beijing Shuts Down Dissident Web Forum
(AP, Aug. 8, 2000) The first dissident Web site in the mainland has been shut down and police are hunting for its organisers. Officials said the site, called the New Culture Forum, posted ''counter-revolutionary content,'' according to the New York-based group Human Rights in China. The group described the site, which it said was run by veteran pro-democracy activists, as the first of its kind in the mainland. Other dissident Web sites are based abroad, often in the United States.

Beijing Objects to Taiwanese President's US Stopover
(AFP, Aug. 7, 2000) China on Monday voiced strong opposition to Taiwanese president Chen Shui-bian's planned stopover in the United States on his way to Central America. Chen is scheduled to make a transit stop in Los Angeles before flying to Central America and Africa for official visits later this month.

China's Zhu: Both US Parties Wrong
(AP, Aug. 5, 2000) Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji thinks both major U.S. political parties are wrong in their approach to China and doesn't care who wins this year's presidential election, a U.S. senator who met with the premier says. Zhu said the election "basically doesn't make any difference," because the Republican and Democratic Party platforms are essentially the same on relations with China." Zhu's comments appear to reflect the Chinese leadership's ambivalence over President Clinton's efforts to engage them and frustration at being a perennial target in U.S. presidential campaigns.

Republican Platform Supports Taiwan
(Taipei Times, Aug. 2, 2000) The US Republican Party on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to Taiwan and said for the first time in its party platform that "all issues regarding Taiwan's future must be resolved peacefully and must be agreeable to the people of Taiwan." In a platform adopted by delegates meeting in Philadelphia for the party's national convention, the party said that a Republican president "will honor our promises to the people of Taiwan, a long-standing friend of the US and a genuine democracy."

Taiwan President Mourns Workers
(AP, July 26, 2000) President Chen Shui-bian on Wednesday visited the relatives of four construction workers swept away by raging floodwaters while waiting for help — a fiasco that has created the biggest crisis so far for his new government. Since Saturday, cable news channels have shown footage of the four workers in their gray shirts and straw hats gripping each other as they stood knee-deep in the rushing waters of the Pachang River in Chiayi County before they were swept away.

New Ruling Party Chairman Reaffirms Three Party Promises
(CNA, July 22, 2000) Kaohsiung Mayor Frank Hsieh on Saturday said at his inauguration as the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) new chairman that the party must readjust its role and establish a sound constitutional government as well as a party politics system. Hsieh also reiterated three of the DPP's promises to the people, namely that the party's commitment to the security of Taiwan and the happiness of its people will never change, that the party's position on Taiwan's sovereignty and autonomy will never change, and that the party's conviction that the people of Taiwan should decide their own future will never change.

Ex-President of Taiwan Writes Book
(AP, July 22, 2000) Taiwan must boldly declare itself a sovereign nation or risk being taken over by China, outspoken ex-president Lee Teng-hui writes in a new book. Taiwan "has emerged a new republic,'' Lee wrote. "As to who will clearly make such a declaration and at what time, I still don't know. But it is a step we must take for the sake of Taiwan's future.''

UNESCO Allows Island to Join NGO Activity as 'Taiwan (China)'
(Taiwan News, July 21, 2000) The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization informed Taiwan on May 10 of its decision to allow the island to join a signature campaign in support of the 2000 peace communique under the name of "Taiwan (China). Taiwan Ambassador-at-large Lu I-cheng said the title is "not very appropriate," as it implies that Taiwan is a part of China.

We Want to be Masters of Our Own House, Says DPP
(Straits Times, July 17, 2000) The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), at its first congress since coming into power four months ago, urged Beijing and the international community ""to understand the desire of the Taiwanese people to be masters of their own house''. At the end of the two-day meeting, the party declared it would not give up advocating sovereignty, independence and self-determination for Taiwan.

Motion to Ditch Independence Clause Dropped
(Taipei Times, July 16, 2000) DPP lawmaker Chen Zau-nan yesterday withdrew a motion to water down the most provocative clause in the party's constitution calling for separation from China, demanding that Beijing first renounce invasion threats. Chen made the surprise announcement prior to the beginning of the DPP's two-day National Congress.

China Assures U.S. on Taiwan Attack
(Associated Press, July 12, 2000) China's defense chief assured U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen on Wednesday that although China reserves the right to use force against Taiwan it does not intend to attack, U.S. officials said. "On Taiwan our policy is all too clear," Chi told reporters. "It is a policy of peaceful reunification and one country, two systems. We have also made it very clear that we do not undertake to give up the use of force." In his comments to reporters Chi did not say China has no intention of using force against Taiwan.

China to Launch Live Fire Drills Near Taiwan-Controlled Islands
(AFP, July 9, 2000) China is to begin a new round of military exercises in an area close to several Taiwan-controlled islands Sunday, the defense ministry said Saturday. The one-day live-fire maneuver will be the seventh of its kind in the area since May 25, when the People's Liberation Army (PLA) began a series of artillery exercises in waters stretching from Quanzhou Bay to Shenhu Bay in the southeast Chinese province of Fujian.