SEPTEMBER 27 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: CHEN SHUI-BIAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 020676 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL CH TW SUBJECT: SEPTEMBER 27 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: CHEN SHUI-BIAN TERRITORIAL DEFINITION REMARKS, OUST-CHEN CAMPAIGN, CROSS-STRAIT COOPERATION, ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGNS ¶1. Key points made at the September 27 Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) press briefing were: -- China strongly condemns suggestions made by Chen Shui-bian regarding a change of Taiwan's territorial definition in Taiwan's "constitution" at a September 24 Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) meeting. -- Issues in Taiwan such as the campaign to oust Chen Shui-bian should be resolved by the people of Taiwan. -- Concerns raised in Taiwan over cross-Strait agricultural cooperation are narrow-minded and biased. -- In response to a question about a possible meeting between former KMT Chairman Lien Chan and President Hu Jintao, the spokesman said the matter is "still under discussion." -- Fighting corruption has been a consistent strategy on the Mainland and there is no connection between the campaign against Chen Shui-bian and the dismissal of Shanghai Party boss Chen Liangyu. Statement Condemning Chen Shui-bian Comments -------------- ¶2. Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) spokesman Li Weiyi led off the September 27 TAO press conference with a strongly worded statement condemning Chen Shui-bian's September 24 comments on altering the definition of Taiwan's territory in the process of "constitutional revision." Li said, "According to Taiwan media reports, Chen Shui-bian, facing difficulties, raised the issue of changing the definition of Taiwan's 'territory' in the context of 'constitutional revision.' Prior to this, the DPP Standing Committee was considering including provisions touching on 'Taiwan independence' in a draft 'constitutional revision' and had already begun to research such provisions. This shows that Chen Shui-bian for his own interests has again broken his previously reiterated 'four noes' commitments and promises to not touch on 'sovereignty' or 'territorial' issues in constitutional changes and raises the danger signal of pushing for 'de jure independence' through 'constitutional revision.' This again shows Chen Shui-bian's stubborn support for his 'Taiwan independence' position and for deliberate separation of Taiwan from Chinese territory. It once again shows that he has never been honest and his political capital is completely bankrupt. Chen Shui-bian's splittist behavior, damaging cross-Strait relations and threatening the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and the Asia-Pacific region, his duplicity and cowardly machinations were condemned by Taiwan and international media." ¶3. Li went on to recount China's efforts in recent years to work for cross-Strait peace and stability and reiterated China's intent to "make utmost efforts" to encourage the development of peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations. At the same time, China firmly opposes "Taiwan independence" and efforts to achieve "de jure independence" through "constitutional revision." China is paying close attention to "constitutional revision" actions in Taiwan. Anyone who attempts in any way to separate Taiwan from China must be "burned for playing with fire" and will suffer "ignominious defeat," Li concluded. Campaign To Oust Chen Shui-bian -------------- ¶4. Asked about his attitude toward the campaign to oust Chen Shui-bian, Li said such issues in Taiwan should be resolved by the people of Taiwan and reiterated opposition to "Taiwan independence" moves. ¶5. Asked if Beijing is willing to meet DPP members who support "Taiwan independence," Li said the mainland strongly opposes "Taiwan independence" but would welcome DPP members who appropriately support the development of cross-Strait ties. Agricultural Forum and Possible Hu-Lien Meeting -------------- -- ¶6. Li said cross-Strait agricultural cooperation is win-win and will benefit both sides by utilizing comparative advantages. An agricultural forum will be BEIJING 00020676 002 OF 002 held in Hainan and will be attended by 400 representatives from Taiwan and the mainland. Li criticized as narrow-minded and biased the concern reportedly expressed by a Taiwan official that cross- Strait agricultural cooperation could increase mainland competitiveness vis-a-vis Taiwan by exposure to Taiwan's superior agricultural technology. Asked if Hu Jintao would meet with KMT leader Lien Chan during the forum, Li said the agenda is "still under discussion." Charter Flights Between Taiwan And Mainland -------------- ¶7. Li said that China supports charter flights between Taiwan and the mainland, which are conducive to cross- Strait relations. The current situation is still far from meeting the demands of both sides. Responding to a question which praised the Mainland's response to a recent car accident in Jilin province involving tourists from Taiwan, Li said that measures were taken to meet the demands of the Taiwan compatriots and such measures should be further developed. Anti-Corruption Campaigns -------------- ¶8. Li deflected a question about links between the oust-Chen campaign and the dismissal this week of Shanghai Party boss Chen Liangyu (no relation), stating that the two issues are unrelated and that anti-corruption efforts have been a consistent priority of the Mainland. The Chen Liangyu case shows the level of determination in the Chinese leadership to fight corruption and demonstrates that all are equally responsible to maintain discipline. SEDNEY