Posted on 10/26/2002 12:37:58 AM PDT by tallhappy
CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush said on Friday the United States would use its influence to ensure China and Taiwan settle their differences peacefully and promised to make it clear to Taipei that Washington does not support independence.
In a news conference with Chinese President Jiang Zemin, Bush said the United States stood by the "one China" policy, which acknowledges that Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of China.
"The 'one China' policy means that the issue ought to be resolved peacefully," Bush said.
"We've got influence with some in the region. We intend to make sure that the issue is resolved peacefully, and that includes making it clear that we do not support independence," Bush added.
Taiwan's president, Chen Shui-bian, has voiced support for a referendum on formal independence from China.
The move outraged Beijing, which views the island as a renegade province and a linchpin in Sino-U.S. relations.
Beijing had hoped Bush would repeat a pledge not to back independence for Taiwan, which China says must eventually be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.
Nationalists headed by Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong's communists. Washington shifted diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979.
But the United States has offered Taiwan the biggest arms package in a decade and Bush has pledged to do "whatever it takes" to help the democratically governed island protect itself.
Bush did not repeat that pledge at Friday's news conference.
But during a visit to China earlier this year, he said, "When my country makes an agreement, we stick with it, and there is (something) called the Taiwan Relations Act and I honour that act, which says we will help Taiwan defend herself if provoked."
China says it is seriously concerned about the U.S. warming to Taiwan under Bush and has called on Washington to halt military contacts and arms sales to the island.
No you are wrong. We agreed with with the Chineese and with Taiwan that there IS only one China. That is why we severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan more than twenty years ago and began diplomatic relations with mainland China. Thats why we supported mainland China's entry into the UN and their seat at the Security Council giving Taiwan the boot more than twenty years ago. Until recently the only countries with diplomatic relations with Taiwan were South Africa and Israel and perhaps one or two third world countries. Now I presume its less than that.
It appears that you sir are the only one here still living back in the 40's. Face it, your generation lost China. Dont jump on Bush for continuing the same policy that the country has had under the last seven administrations (Nixon to GWB).
Putting your money where your mouth is, as it were?
Dave, Shanghai Communique is on-line.
Find it and post all the sections that mention Taiwan and you will see my comments are accurate. The US acknowledges the position of the Chinese.
It does not say we agree or that is our position.
YOu need more sleep. Turn off Art Bell at night.
I don't know why anybody is surprised about this. First off,his family is in business with the fascists that run China,and Uncle Prescott probably warned him about family profits going down if he didn't give the Chinese the green light.
Secondly,the US is going to be overextended militarily when we enter into Bubba-2's war in the middleast,and won't have any way to prevent the Chinese from taking over Taiwan to start with. Not unless we use nukes,and we ain't gonna do that.
Finally,he is a elitist statist to his very core,and he doesn't even "support independence" for the United States. He wants us to be a part of a enomomic zone with Canada and Mexico. A "North American Union",with his nephew as the president. Goodbye citizenship,hello "employee".
See your new Bubba? He's just like your old Bubba.
The most interesting thing about this will be to see how the Bush-Bots try to spin it. I wonder if they will go for the "bitch was just asking for it"?
Who was the president who granted China PERMANENT "Most Favored Nation" trade status? Hint,his uncle is in business with them,and his father used to be the US ambassador there.
Personally, as of this week I'm biased against ROC. The last taiwanese co I contracted with stole my IP by creating a new co in taiwan and selling my patents to them, then claiming that I had to sue in taiwan to get my royalties....obviously underhanded. This week, my current boss got fired b/c his taiwanese counterpart sent a fake letter in from the customer complaining about him. The taiwanese guy called and tried to explain that it was nothing personal, just business because he was having to share commissions with the US salesguy.
I've long been a supporter of Taiwan...but those SOBs would sell us out in a heartbeat if it came down to brass tacks, and I am losing any interest I have had to pay for their damn defense.
Doing business on the Chicom mainland, you usually have to sign something that says anything you bring (i.e. or concieve) inside their borders becomes property of the "people's republic." The Chinese will steal just as quickly, but at least they're upfront about it!!!
I can't see the logic in making such a solid proclamation appeasing Communist China. It makes no sense.
I'm disappointed in Bush for doing this.
And Bubba-2 IS a "Corporate Commie" to the very core of his soul. These people used to be called "Rockefeller Republicans" or "Country Club Repbulicans",but I think "Corporate Commies" is a more accurate description.
Wrong question. Not even the Chinese are communists anymore. They have evolved to "fascists".
Mark my word: they will be "liberated"
This is clearly Castro's fault. If he wants to be treated better,he needs to go into business with somebody in the Bush family.
Yeah right. Do me a favor, will you? Hold your breath until I do.
'One China' has always been a sotto vocce warning to Taiwan that the US would not support independence. Sorry to burst your bubble.
I support Bush's statement. It reflects a recognition of a changing China and a sane appreciation of the very dangerous dilemma that would result if Taiwan declared independence. The dispute must be settled peacefully. The alternative in unacceptable. In addition, Taiwan will never be independent, unless the Taiwanese somehow figure out how to physically move the island to Hawaii.
China is changing --- too slowly --- for the better. Communist ideology has become a hollowed out farce. We need to encourage the establishment of free institutions as best we can. And we need to avoid getting embroiled in a China-Taiwan war.
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