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US urged to oppose "Taiwan independence"
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-02-28 19:52
China on Tuesday urged the United States to stick to the commitments on
Taiwan issue and be aware of the seriousness and harm of secessionist activities
in Taiwan.
The United States should take substantial efforts to oppose "Taiwan
independence" and not send any wrong signal to Taiwan secessionists, Chinese
Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said at a press conference.
"We have noticed that the spokesman for U.S. government reaffirmed that the
United States adheres to the one-China policy and opposes 'Taiwan
independence'," Liu said.
"I hope the United States can make joint efforts with us in safeguarding
China-U.S. relations and the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits," Liu
said.
Taiwan authority leader Chen Shui-bian announced in Taipei on Monday
afternoon a decision to put an end to the operation of the "National Unification
Council (NUC)" and application of the "National Unification Guidelines".
The action was strongly opposed and criticized by both senior officials in
the Chinese mainland and Taiwan's major parties, including Chinese Kuomintang,
the People First Party and Non- Partisan Solidarity Union
Chen's "perverse acts" have incurred strong criticism from the people across
the Taiwan Straits and the international community, Liu said, adding that the
Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of China has issued a statement,
which represents "the solemn and just stance of the Chinese government".
"Chen's acts attempted to challenge the peace and endanger the ties between
the two sides across the Taiwan Straits", Liu warned.
U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said Monday that the United
States opposes any unilateral move to change the status quo across the Taiwan
Straits and does not support "Taiwan independence."
"Our policy on cross-strait relations has not changed. Our one-China policy
is based on the Three Communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. We are, of
course, opposed to any unilateral change to the status quo by either side and we
do not support 'Taiwan independence'," Ereli said.
Also on Monday, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said at a briefing that
the U.S. one-China policy "remains based on the Three Communiques, the Taiwan
Relations Act and our belief that there should be no unilateral change in the
status quo by either side."
On Monday, visiting Swiss Defense Minister Samuel Schmid voiced Switzerland's
support for the one-China policy and expressed regrets for the current situation
across the Taiwan Straits.
"I hope the two sides across the Straits can conduct dialogues and resolve
the Taiwan question through political means," Schmid told reporters at a news
briefing in Swiss embassy to China.
On the same day, Martin Schulz, chairman of the Socialist Group in the
European Parliament, vowed during his China tour that he and the group will, as
always, adhere to the one-China policy.
"We defended the policy in the past, we defend it at present and we will
defend it in the future," Schulz pledged.
A spokesman from Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret at
Taiwan's move on the "National Unification Council (NUC)" and the "National
Unification Guidelines" in a statement Monday.
"It will raise concerns about Taiwan's intentions and it is not conducive to
the maintenance of stable cross-strait relations," the spokesman said in
response to media questions.
The "NUC" was established in 1990 by the Taiwan authorities and 14 meetings
had been held since its establishment. However, no "NUC" meeting has been held
since Chen Shui-bian became Taiwan leader.
The "National Unification Guidelines" were issued in 1991, saying both the
mainland and Taiwan are under the sovereignty of China and promoting the
country'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.
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