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

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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