Bush Sends Stern Warning to Taiwan over Independence Moves

VOA News ^ | 12-9-03 | Scott Stearns

[tet68]

. "The Chinese government respects the desire of people in Taiwan for democracy, but we must point out that the attempts of Taiwan authorities, headed by Chen Shui-bian are only using democracy as an excuse and an attempt to resort to a defensive referendum to split Taiwan away from China. Such separatist activities are what the Chinese side can absolutely not accept and tolerate," he said.

Translation;

Separatism = Democracy = What the Chinese side can absolutely not accept and tolerate

[Consort]

Oooops, Bush just gave the ChiComs the green light to smack around Taiwan.

Maybe the "One China Policy" gave them the green light years ago. Also, Bush warned both sides against taking unilateral action:

"We oppose any unilateral decision by either China or Taiwan to change the status quo...."

[Reagan Renaissance]

Well said!

[Pro Consul]

I'm sorry, but this is one retarded policy. "One China, two systems." The status quo is just delaying the inevitable. It has to be dealt with at some point. To believe that we are telling the people of an Asian republic to continue this charade is a disgrace.

[William McKinley]

Yes. And one of those bigger fish to fry is in North Korea, where to avoid an artillery bombardment of Seoul, it will be handy to have the backing of the Chinese.

[SunStar]

We have already said to the world that might makes right. We started unilaterlism, and we cannot tell other big powers not to take things in their own hands?

Is Taiwan trying to destroy China? Didn't think so.

[Liberal Classic]

While I don't disagree it's a sticky wicket, the one thing that comes to mind is that Taiwan is not the same thing. I'm no asian expert, but I do not believe Taiwan is the same renegade elements of Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang government. It's no longer a one-party state, but a democracy, the kind of nation Bush has espoused as being worth fighting for.

[squidly]

We have already said to the world that might makes right. We started unilaterlism.....

We did not invent the idea that might makes right, nor did we invent unilateralism. Go read a history book or something.

[ought-six]

Yup, the "One China Policy" was (and still is) a tad problematic.

[bvw]

Ditto.