National Unification
Council
[ News ] [ Papers ]
Chen Assures US of "No More"
Surprises on China Policy
(AFP, Mar. 22,
2006) Taiwan's
President Chen Shui-bian assured the United States he would not push for independence during the rest of his term,
after his decision to scrap a unification council touched nerves in Washington and Beijing.
New US Envoy to Ask Chen
About Council Move
(AP, Mar.
21, 2006) America's
new representative in Taiwan says he will ask President Chen Shui-bian to clarify a
contentious decision to drop an advisory council on eventual unification with
China. 'I think it's been put in abeyance,' Mr Stephen Young said of
the council. 'But that's something I want to talk about...with the
president.'
U.S. Urges Taiwan to Honor
Cross-Strait Pledges
(CNA, Mar.
16, 2006) A U.S. State Department
official repeated Washington's expectation that Taiwan
will stick to its commitments with regard to the country's cross-Taiwan
Strait policy.
China's Wen Calls Taiwan
Actions 'Risky,' 'Dangerous'
(Bloomberg, Mar.
14, 2006) Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
criticized the Taiwanese government for ''highly risky and dangerous''
actions and threatened to respond to steps toward independence.
US Calls for Cross-Strait
Dialogue
(Taipei Times, Mar. 10, 2006) Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia
Christopher Hill has refused to say whether President Chen Shui-bian has
satisfied Washington with his assurances over the National Unification
Council and guidelines issue, stressing that it can be solved only by
dialogue between Beijing and Chen's government.
China Warns U.S. On Issue of
Taiwan
(Washington Post, Mar. 8, 2006) China
warned the United
States against
sending "false signals" to Taiwan
by playing down a recent decision by the island to do away with the National
Unification Council.
MAC Rebuffs Latest Verbal
Warning from China
(AFP, Mar. 6, 2006) Taiwan government rebuffed Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's
warning against the Taiwan independence movement, saying the island's future
should be decided by Taiwan's people rather than Beijing.
China Warns Taiwan Over
'Very Risky' Council Move
(AFP, Mar. 4,
2006) China
warned that a move by Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian to abolish an advisory council on unification
with the mainland was very risky and would not succeed, state media said.
Taiwan Insists It Has Not
Changed Cross-Strait Status Quo
(Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Mar. 4, 2006) Taiwan insisted that it has done
nothing to change the status quo with archrival China as the US demanded
Taipei state clearly if it has abolished a council aimed at working toward
unification with China.
US Tells Taiwan to ‘Correct
Record’ on Unification Body
(Financial Times, Mar. 3, 2006) The US has demanded Taiwan state it has not
abolished the token body aimed at working towards unification with mainland
China that president Chen Shui-bian scrapped earlier this week.
China Alerts World Leaders
to Taiwan Issue
(Straits Times, Mar. 3, 2006) Chinese Premier
Wen Jiabao urged the international community to be on guard against
pro-independence forces in Taiwan
after the island's leader dropped an advisory body on eventual unification
with the mainland.
Beijing Accuses Taiwan
Leader of 'Grave Provocation'
(New York Times, Mar. 1, 2006) President Hu Jintao of China reacted sharply
to the decision by President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan to terminate the
island's unification council, calling it "a grave provocation" and
"a dangerous step on the road toward Taiwan independence."
China Urges US to Resist
Taiwan Independence Move
(Financial Times, Mar. 1, 2006) China
denounced Taiwan for scrapping a state body charged with working towards eventual
unification of the two rivals and called on the US to
oppose any moves towards formal independence by the island.
US Urges Calm Between China
and Taiwan
(AFP, Mar. 1,
2006) The United States made a new plea
for China and Taiwan to ease their heightened political tensions and concentrate on
dialogue. But deputy US State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said Washington
believed that Taiwan has not abolished an advisory council on reunification with China.
China Warns Taiwan of New
'Crisis'
(CNN.com, Feb. 28, 2006) China is warning of a new crisis in its relations
with Taiwan following the latter's decision to scrap a
"reunification" council -- a move Beijing regards as deliberatively
provocative.
KMT's Ma to Move to Recall
President Chen
(China Post, Feb. 28, 2007) Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) leader Ma Ying-jeou
will make a move to recall President Chen Shui-bian, following Chen's
announcement that a council for charting unification with the mainland will
be scrapped.
Defiant Leader of Taiwan
Scraps Unification Panel With China
(New York Times, Feb. 27, 2006) Defying
warnings from Beijing and Washington, President Chen declared in a televised address that the National
Unification Council "will cease to function," and that Taiwan's
national unification guidelines "will cease to apply."
Taiwan Eliminates
Reunification Council
(Washington Post, Feb. 27, 2006) Defying warnings from China and the United
States, Taiwan eliminated its National Unification Council, saying only the
Taiwanese people can decide whether they want to rejoin the mainland.
KMT Chairman Urges President
Not to Destroy Taiwan-U.S. Trust (Central News Agency, Feb. 27, 2006)
Oopposition Kuomintang Chairman Ma Ying-jeou urged the president not to
destroy the long-standing trust between Taiwan
and the U.S.
Another US Diplomat to Meet
Taiwan's Chen – Paper
(Reuters, Feb. 26, 2006) A former senior official of the Bush Administration
will visit Taiwan in yet another effort by Washington to persuade President
Chen Shui-bian to retain a policy council on unification with China, a local
newspaper said.
China's Muted Response to
Chen's Moves
(Straits Times, Feb. 25, 2006) China
refused to be pinned down on whether Taiwan
President Chen Shui-bian's moves to scrap unification guidelines and the body
that created them constituted a breach of the anti-secession law.
'Pan-Blue' Threatens Recall,
Boycott of DPP Government
(China Post, Feb. 25, 2006) Opposition 'pan-blue' lawmakers threatened to
boycott government operations or even move to recall President Chen Shui-bian
if the head of state fails to jam the brakes on his move to scrap the
unification line.
Singapore Opposes Any Moves
by Taiwan to Change Status Quo (AFP,
Feb. 25,
2006) Singapore said yesterday it opposed "unilateral" moves in Taiwan
to scrap guidelines for reunification with mainland China.
US Says Taiwan Should Not
Harm Regional Stability
(AFP, Feb. 24, 2006) The United States urged Taiwan against endangering
stability in the region after the island's ruling pro-independence party
endorsed scrapping guidelines for reunification with China.
Chen Warned Not to Pursue
Secession
(China Daily, Feb. 23, 2006) Chen Yunlin, minister of the Taiwan Affairs Office
of the State Council, called the Taiwan leader's scheme "a dangerous
sign of escalation of Taiwan secessionist activities."
US Reassures Beijing That It
Insists on 'Status Quo'
(Taipei Times, Feb. 23, 20060 The US told China that it is committed to
insisting Taiwan refrain from unilaterally changing the cross-strait
"status quo." The remarks were made in the first high-level face-to-face
discussions about Taiwan between the two countries.
DPP Resolves to Call for
Abolition of NUC
(China Post, Feb. 23, 2006) The ruling Democratic Progressive Party adopted a
resolution , calling for the abolition of the National Unification Council
and the National Unification Guidelines.
Taiwan's Pro-Independence
Chen Snubs US: Paper
(Reuters, Feb. 22, 2006) Taiwan, keen to shake off China's claim of sovereignty
over the island, has snubbed a special U.S. envoy, refusing to go back on a
decision to scrap a policy-making council on unification.
Taiwan-China Status Quo
Should Stay Same, says Ma
(Taiwan News, Feb. 20, 2006) Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou insisted morning
that Taiwan should maintain the status quo with China and stop fighting over
the unification vs. independence issue.
Officials Deny US Warning on
NUC
(Taipei Times, Feb. 19, 2006) The Presidential Office denied a local media
report that a US official had warned Taiwan that it must shoulder all
consequences if President Chen Shui-bian
scraps the National Unification Council (NUC).
China Queries KMT's
'Independence' Option
(Straits Times, Feb. 17, 2006) The Kuomintang's listing of independence as
one of many possible options for Taiwan has drawn a reaction from Beijing.
China Times reported that Chinese officials called the party to protest.
Sparks Fly over KMT's
Controversial Ad
(Taipei Times, Feb. 16, 2006) The KMT scrambled to define its cross-strait
position after Tuesday's ad, while the DPP congratulated it for moving to
reflect mainstream views
KMT Tries to Clarify Ad with
Independence as Possibility
(China Post, Feb. 16, 2006) "The
Chinese KMT firmly believes in the spirit of democracy that there are many
possible options for Taiwan's future. The people should decide on these
options, regardless of whether it is unification, independence or maintaining
the status quo," the advertisement said.
MAC Likens NUGs to
Anti-Secession Law
(China Post, Feb. 12, 2006) Mainland Affairs Council Chairman Joseph Wu
yesterday likened the National Unification Guidelines (NUGs) to China's
anti-secession law designed to legitimize military actions against Taiwan
should Taipei declare independence.
Ma Pushes 'Status Quo' in
Article
(Taipei Times, Feb. 8, 2006) Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou said that
as neither unification with China nor independence are likely in the near
future, Taiwan needs a "new" paradigm -- maintaining the status
quo.
Taiwan Dismisses Report of
Bush Ire
(Taiwan News, Feb. 6, 20060 Government officials rebutted a report that U.S.
President George W. Bush was angered by President Chen Shui-bian's proposal
to abolish the National Unification Council.
Taiwan, US Near Deal on Chen
Speech
(Taipei Times, Feb. 5, 2006) Aides to President Chen Shui-bian and US State
Department officials are close to hammering out a compromise on Chen's Lunar
New Year proposal to abolish the National Unification Council.
NSC Undertaking Feasibility
Study on Scrapping NUC
(China Post, Feb. 5, 2006) Parris Chang, deputy secretary-general of the
National Security Council (NSC), said that the NSC is currently conducting a
feasibility study on dismantling the NUC.
Chen Promises to 'Do Right
Thing' for Nation
(China Post, Feb. 4, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian delivered a Chinese New
Year wish to the nation, promising to fulfill his duty of leading the people
of Taiwan to "do right things and walk on the right path".
US to Chen: Please Stop the
Surprises
(Taipei Times, Feb. 4, 2006) A senior State Department official has called on
Taipei to communicate fully with Washington to avoid a repetition of
President Chen Shui-bian's "surprise" Lunar New Year proposal.
Taiwan Downplays Chen's
Remarks
(AFP, Feb. 3, 2006) Taiwanese officials played down hardline comments on
China by President Chen Shui-bian, after Washington warned they could send
the wrong signals to Beijing.
DPP Set to Debate Ending
Unification Agency, Guidelines
(Taipei Times, Feb. 3, 2006) A debate to be held next month by the Democratic
Progressive Party (DPP) on policy and the party's future direction will
include President Chen Shui-bian's proposal to abolish the National
Unification Council and unification guidelines.
Chen Taking Flak from Own
Party
(Reuters, Feb. 2, 2006) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian, who was rebuked by
the United States for saying he supported abolishing the National Unification
Council, has also come under fire from his own ruling party.
US Warns Chen to Stick to 'Status
Quo'
(Taipei Times, Feb. 1, 2006) The US criticized President Chen Shui-bian's
Lunar New Year announcement that he plans to try to scrap the National
Unification Council and the unification guidelines this year, saying that
such a move would change the cross-strait "status quo."
US Astonished by Taiwan
Leader's Hardline Policies on China
(AFP, Jan. 31, 2006) The United States said it was astonished by Taiwanese
President Chen Shui-bian's planned hardline policies on China, warning they
could send the wrong signals to Beijing.
Chen Mulls Axing
Reunification Council
(China Post, Jan. 30, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian said that he will now
start seriously considering to abolish both the National Unification Council
and the Guidelines for National Unification to promote national dignity and
"Taiwan consciousness."
China Exercises Restraint
with Taiwan By Paul
Wiseman
(USA Today, Mar. 7, 2006) The mainland calculates that restraint, not
retaliation, is the best response to Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian's
provocative decision to scrap a neglected but symbolically important council
dedicated to the reunification of China and Taiwan.
US Academic Warns About US
Frustration over NUC
(CNA, Mar. 5, 2006) Some people in Taiwan are too carried away with what they
consider a "victory" -- President Chen Shui-bian's move to
"cease the function" of the National Unification Council (NUC) -- and
risk damaging an understanding between Washington and Taipei on the matter.
China Switches Tactics
(Straits Times, Mar. 4, 2006) Frustrated by its inability to directly rein in
Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian, China is now using its clout to exert
international pressure on the pro-independence leader instead.
Stormy Month Ahead for
Taiwan, China Ties
(Straits Times, Mar. 2, 2006) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's move to drop
a council on eventual unification with China looks set to be the first salvo
in what could be a stormy month ahead for cross-strait ties.
No Cause for Alarm over NUC
(Editorial, Taipei Times, Mar. 1, 2006) All Chen has really done is to
declare the death of a long inert body and give politics in Taiwan a bit of a
shake. There is no need to overreact.
De-Unification is Chen's
Legacy
(Editorial, China Post, Mar. 1, 2006) Having achieved little during the past
six years in office and with only two more to go, Chen now hopes to secure a
legacy as the spiritual leader of the Taiwan independence movement.
What Next
(Straits Times, Mar. 1, 2006) Will Taiwan leader continue to inch towards red
line on independence? A defiant Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has defended
his decision to drop an advisory council on eventual unification with China.
The U.S. Factor: America's
Influence over Taiwan in Doubt
(Straits Times, Mar. 1, 2006) Taiwan's decision to stop the operations of an
advisory council overseeing unification with China has raised questions about
how much leverage Washington has over Taipei's cross-strait policies.
China 'Unlikely to Respond
Radically to Chen's Moves'
(Straits Times, Feb. 28, 2006) While
there was no official reaction from Beijing, analysts expect it to issue
sterner warnings and criticisms of Mr Chen. But they add that Beijing is
unlikely to change its charm offensive against the island for now.
Analysts Play Down Fallout
of Chen's Move By Lawrence
Chung
(South China Morning Post, Feb. 27, 2006) Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian's
plan to scrap the National Unification Council (NUC) is unlikely to have any
serious, immediate impact on the island, analysts said. But they said it
would deepen the mistrust between Taiwan and the United States.
Taiwan's Unification Council
(Reuters, Feb. 27, 2006) The council was set up in 1990 by then President Lee
Teng-hui as the island's top policy-making body on unification with the
mainland. The council has been dormant since Chen took office in 2000, but he
had made repeated pledges not to dissolve the council or scrap the guidelines
or push for formal independence.
US Struggles to Rein in
Taiwan Leader By Ong Hwee
Hwee
(Straits Times, Feb. 27, 2006) From sending secret missions to issuing
official statements, Washington has been scrambling to rein in a defiant
President Chen Shui-bian who appears set to go his own way.
Chen's Comments on
Taipei-Washington Ties Raise Eyebrows
(China Post, Feb. 25, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian's likening
Taipei-Washington ties to the homosexual love depicted in the movie Brokeback
Mountain has raised some eyebrows.
Pragmatic Path Is the Best
Solution By Chen
I-chung
(Taipei Times, Feb. 24, 2006) Political parties and politicians fulfilling
their moral responsibilities should work toward creating a situation where
both unification and independence will be seen as reasonable options.
US Smile Wears Thin as
Taiwan''s Chen Goads China
(Reuters, Feb. 24, 2006) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's increasingly tough
stand on China is testing the patience of the island's biggest ally and arms
supplier, the United States.
Why Fear the Independence
Option? By C.V.
Chen
(Taipei Times, Feb. 22, 2006) Although I am a strong proponent of unification
and believe that Taiwanese will benefit more from unification than from
independence, I must say that no one has the right to assert that Taiwanese
independence is not an option.
Chen Returns to
Pro-Independence Stance By Ong
Hwee Hwee
(Straits Times, Feb. 20, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian had marked the new
year with a pledge to lead Taiwan towards 'the right path'. It soon became
clear what he had in mind - returning to his ruling party's pro-independence
stance so that it could secure its traditional vote base.
Chen Returns to Pro-Independence
Stance By Ong Hwee
Hwee
(Straits Times, Feb. 21, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian had marked the new
year with a pledge to lead Taiwan towards 'the right path'. It soon became
clear what he had in mind - returning to his ruling party's pro-independence
stance so that it could secure its traditional vote base.
Ma Offers Alternative View
on Relations with China
(Editorial, China Post, Feb. 16, 2006) Ma Ying-jeou outlined for the first
time in great detail his views on the two most sensitive political issues
facing Taiwan: national identity and relations with the Chinese mainland.
Time for a Healthy Debate on
China
(Editorial, Taipei Times, Feb. 11, 2006) The government must live up to its
pledge to secure Taiwan's national interests and not let Chen's "active
management, effective opening" approach and other initiatives on China
policy end up as empty political slogans.
Tough U.S. Stance on Chen
Likely to Ease Beijing's Anger
(Editorial, China Post, Feb. 11, 2006) The clear and firm position Washington
has adopted in handling the controversy over President Chen Shui-bian's
recent remarks on Taipei's relations with China should be able to prevent the
event from escalating into a full-scale crisis in the Taiwan Strait that
could draw the United States in.
Taiwan's Definition of Its
Status Quo
(Editorial, Taiwan News, Feb. 6, 2006) We urge both U.S. and KMT leaders to
take stock of the timing and rationale behind the president's decision to
raise this issue. Chen's proposal would further consolidate Taiwan's
democracy by removing the formal bias of national policy toward
"unification" that had been imposed by the KMT.
President Chen Seeks Advice
on Scrapping NUC By Jane Rickards
(China Post, Feb. 3, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian is asking his top
security advisers to evaluate scrapping a key policy body dealing with
unification with China -- despite warnings from the U.S.
Chen China-Baiting Aims to
Boost Taiwan Popularity By Richard
Dobson (Reuters, Feb. 2, 20060 Taiwan President
Chen Shui-bian's warning he may scrap a key policy body on Chinese
reunification seems aimed at stirring anti-Beijing feeling to boost his low
ratings and stay relevant ahead of 2008 elections.
Chen's Reunification Remarks
'a Bombshell'
(China Post, Jan. 31, 2006) Opposition leaders and scholars in both Taiwan
and the United States yesterday voiced grave concerns that President Chen
Shui-bian's plan of abolishing both the National Unification Council and the
Guidelines for National Unification would spark new tensions.
Chen Shares Independence
Dream Anew By Frank
Ching
(Japan Times, Jan. 13, 2006) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian on New Year's
Day delivered an address in which he made it clear that he was as determined
as ever to press ahead for the de jure independence of Taiwan.
|
