WASHINGTON: The United States has renewed its opposition to "Taiwan
independence" in reaction to Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's recent secessionist
move.
"We do not support Taiwan independence, and we oppose unilateral changes to
the status quo by either side," US State Department spokesman Adam Ereli told a
news briefing on Tuesday (local time).
He said the United States has a one-China policy based on the Taiwan
Relations Act and the three US-China joint communiques.
"I think our position is clear."
Ereli said the Taiwan leadership has made public commitments with regard to
its cross-Straits policy, and that these commitments are well known. "We take
them seriously. And we expect that they'll be sustained."
In a statement on March 2, the US State Department asked the Taiwan
authorities to "unambiguously affirm that the February 27 announcement (by Chen
Shui-bian) did not abolish the National Unification Council, did not change the
status quo, and that the assurances remain in effect.
"Abrogating an assurance would be changing the status quo, and that would be
contrary to that understanding," the statement said.
Chen announced his decision to cease the functioning of the "National
Unification Council" (NUC) and the application of the "National Unification
Guidelines" on February 27 amid grave international concerns and repeated
warnings.
The "NUC" was set up in 1990 by the Taiwan authorities headed by Lee
Teng-hui. A total of 14 meetings were held after its establishment.
The "National Unification Guidelines" were issued in 1991, saying both the
Chinese mainland and Taiwan are under the sovereignty of China and the promotion
of the state's reunification should be the common task of all Chinese.
The guidelines also outlined a three-phase goal for the realization of
China's reunification.
China has been opposed to the so-called Taiwan Relations Act ever since its
enactment in 1979 as it violates Chinese sovereignty, interferes in China's
internal affairs and runs counter to the three joint communiques signed by China
and the United States.