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No Independent Taiwan
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| anuneventrade |
http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS...a.ap/index.html
| quote: | WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush said Tuesday after meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao that he opposes the apparent interest of Taiwan's leaders in taking steps toward independence.
Bush, speaking with reporters after the meeting, said he told the premier, "The United States policy is one China."
"We oppose any unilateral decision by either China or Taiwan to change the status quo," Bush said, "and the comments and actions made by the leader of Taiwan indicate that he may be willing to make decisions unilaterally, to change the status quo, which we oppose."
It was the administration's strongest statement to date in opposition to Taiwan's plan to conduct a referendum on March 20 on whether the Taiwanese people want to demand that China withdraw hundreds of missiles aimed at Taiwan and renounce the use of force against the island.
The administration sees this as an indirect step toward independence, a view shared by Chinese authorities who have threatened military action against the island if the referendum proceeds.
But Wen, refraining from belligerent comments, said China's goal is to pursue peaceful reunification with Taiwan, "as long as a glimmer of hope" exists.
"Stability can only be maintained through unswerving opposition to pro-independence activities," Wen said. He said his country sought to maintain a system of "one country, two systems."
"We will do our utmost to bring about national reunification through peaceful means," Wen said.
"The Chinese government respects the desire of people in Taiwan for democracy, but we must point out that the (Taiwanese leaders) are only using democracy as an excuse and attempt to resort to defensive referendums to split Taiwan away from China," he said. "Such separatist activities are what the Chinese side can absolutely not accept."
On the issue of stability on the Korean peninsula, the United States hopes to be able to negotiate an end to North Korea's nuclear weapons program, with assistance from China.
At present, China is attempting to reconvene six-party talks aimed at resolving the impasse.
Bush expressed appreciation to China for starting the process this past summer.
"The goal is to dismantle a nuclear weapons program in a verifiable and irreversible way, and that is a clear message that we are sending to the North Koreans," Bush said. "We will continue to work with China and the other countries involved to solve this issue peacefully."
The other countries, aside from China and the United States, are the two Koreas, Japan and Russia.
In response to a question on trade disputes, Wen said China has been taking steps to reduce the massive U.S. trade deficit, adding that he planned to submit a proposal on this issue during his lunch meeting with Bush and other officials. He gave no hint on what was in the proposal.
U.S.-China trade has come a long way since 25 years ago, Wen said. The combined total was a mere $2.5 billion a year, compared with the current figure of more than $100 billion, he said.
"We have to admit, though, in our economic and trade relationship, problems still exist, and mainly the U.S. trade deficit with China," Wen said, prompting a "thank you" from Bush.
"The Chinese government takes this problem seriously, and has taken measures to improve the situation," Wen said. |
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| biznology |
| 5th line: US wants to maintain status quo - whats new? |
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| occrider |
| quote: | Originally posted by biznology
5th line: US wants to maintain status quo - whats new? |
What's better than the status quo with respects to this issue? ;) |
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| PHALPAX |
| quote: | Originally posted by occrider
What's better than the status quo with respects to this issue? ;) |
I agree because Taiwan with a independence declaration means that either:
1.) China attacks...U.S. goes to conventional war with China.
2.) China attacks...U.S. uses nukes against China.
3.) Both happen. |
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| imokruok |
| There was no change in foreign policy. But the press would like to think there was. |
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| occrider |
| quote: | Originally posted by PHALPAX
I agree because Taiwan with a independence declaration means that either:
1.) China attacks...U.S. goes to conventional war with China.
2.) China attacks...U.S. uses nukes against China.
3.) Both happen. |
Or, China attacks, US does nothing, and Taiwan ceases to exist. Not sure that's an attractive option either. |
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| anuneventrade |
| quote: | Originally posted by occrider
Or, China attacks, US does nothing, and Taiwan ceases to exist. Not sure that's an attractive option either. |
All of the options are horrible in this situation.
Occ, heh, I saw your "status" and I had to double look! Very funny! :haha: |
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| biznology |
| quote: | Originally posted by imokruok
There was no change in foreign policy. But the press would like to think there was. |
This is what I was getting at...there is nothing new here, im not arguing anything| |
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| PHALPAX |
| quote: | Originally posted by occrider
Or, China attacks, US does nothing, and Taiwan ceases to exist. Not sure that's an attractive option either. |
I doubt the U.S. wouldn't do anything all because Taiwan is much more technologically developed than China, and China having that big of a tech boost may bring around cold war II. |
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| Yoepus |
for the same reason I don't think China would get involved with Taiwan... fearing another Cold War if the USA decides to step in.
A question though, does Taiwan have nukes?
From my recollection officially and unofficially doesn't have one... but it is hard for me to believe that such a prosperous island couldn't get its hand on a nuke or two, what do you guys know about this? |
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| occrider |
| quote: | Originally posted by Yoepus
for the same reason I don't think China would get involved with Taiwan... fearing another Cold War if the USA decides to step in.
A question though, does Taiwan have nukes?
From my recollection officially and unofficially doesn't have one... but it is hard for me to believe that such a prosperous island couldn't get its hand on a nuke or two, what do you guys know about this? |
It doesn't really matter if they do have a nuke or two. They probably lack the proper missile technology to even make it an effective weapon/deterrant even if they had a crude device. |
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| Renegade |
This is a pretty messy situation. On the one hand the US can't be seen to vehemently oppose the "reunification" of China and Taiwan for fear of breakdowns in diplomatic ties with the Chinese (which could - in a worst case scenario - even escalate into warfare if the US decided to side with the Taiwanese) yet on the other hand - given the pro-democratic rhetoric they've been spewing forth since the Iraqi war (after all, that is why we're there isn't it?) - they can't really be seen to explicitly condone any movement that seeks to quash democracy, particularly if that movement is militant in nature. I'm sure if it were a less powerful nation than China (or a less indespensible trading partner) then the US would be pretty quick to prevent an enforced reunification such as this, but - unfortunately - given that it is China we're talking about, a dignified, pro-democratic, pro-independence stand probably isn't tenable in this scenario. The classic political catch-22. :)
Though, having said that, wasn't there an article posted (semi-)recently about the US selling arms to Taiwan under the Chinese' noses? |
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