CHINA / National
Taiwan key to China-US ties - official
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-04-14 15:11
China said on Friday that Taiwan remained the most important issue in its
relations with the United States, days before President Hu Jintao heads
to Washington.
Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also said differences on trade and
economic policies, which are expected to dominate talks between Hu and
President Bush, could be resolved and countered suggestions that China's
rapid rise posed a threat to the rest of the world.
Yang Jiechi, vice foreign minister. [cnr]
But he reserved his strongest comments for Taiwan.
The United States recognizes the "one-China" policy, but it is also the
biggest arms supplier to Taiwan and has pledged to defend the island of
23 million in case of attack.
"The Taiwan question is the most important, most sensitive core issue in
the China-U.S. relationship," said Yang, who is also a former ambassador
to Washington.
"We call on the United States to work together with China to oppose and
counter secessionist activities on the part of Taiwan," he told a news
conference.
He was speaking as Taiwan opposition politicians met Chinese leaders in
Beijing and urged Taiwan to allow regular direct flights and expand trade.
Taiwan "president" Chen Shui-bian, who advocates independence, has
alarmed the mainland with moves such as shelving guidelines on eventual
reunification, which Beijing sees as a steps toward formal secession.
China will be seeking a clear show of support from Washington on Taiwan,
analysts say.
"What the challenge is to both leaders is not how solid reassurances will
be, it's how both can work together to try and manage the issue should
Chen try to push the relationship," said Zhu Feng, an expert on
China-U.S. relations at Peking University.
Yang called ties between Beijing and Washington "one of the most
important bilateral relationships in the world" and said differences over
a ballooning trade gap and the value of China's currency could be managed.
A trade delegation led by Vice Premier Wu Yi that has so far yielded
deals worth more than $16 billion also proved "it is completely possible
for China and the United States to properly handle trade friction," Yang
said.
No business leaders will be accompany Hu, but Commerce Minister Bo Xilai
and Ma Kai, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, will
be among those in his delegation.
Yang said military personnel would also not be on the trip, despite
concerns in Washington over double-digit increases in China's military
spending.
Publishing policy papers on defense and invitations to foreign military
observers showed China was committed to peaceful development, Yang said.
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