MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 002311 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - NIDA EMMONS DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS ¶1. Summary: As Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies gave significant coverage October 10-11 to the National Day celebrations all over the island, news coverage also focused on Taiwan's UN referendum and the severe damage caused by Typhoon Krosa, which pounded Taiwan over the weekend. The pro-independence "Liberty Times" ran a banner headline on page two October 11 that read "In His National Day Address, Bian Substitutes Taiwan for the Republic of China." ¶2. Among the editorials and commentaries, a column in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" discussed the "Iran card" that Beijing is playing now and said Washington-Beijing ties were entering a new high point A separate "Apple Daily" op-ed said, for now, Beijing would keep a vigilant eye on both the KMT and the DPP presidential candidates while putting its focus on opposing President Chen Shui-bian. End summary. A) "China's Iran Card" Columnist Antonio Chiang wrote in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" [circulation: 530,000] (10/11): "Taiwan's purchase of F-16C/D fighter jets from the United States has long since been decided, but it has yet to be executed. The apparent reason [for the delay] has to do with [Taiwan's] UN referendum and with the fact that the White House does not want foster Chen Shui-bian's reckless behavior by selling the planes. However, the real reason is that Washington has learned Beijing will likely sell its most advanced J10 fighter jets to Iran as a countermeasure [against the F16C/D fighter deal], which will deal a blow to [President George W.] Bush's policy toward the Middle East. "Bush is a lame duck in terms of domestic affairs, and he is also caught in a quagmire in terms of foreign relations. But now he suddenly realized that China is his new walking stick in foreign relations. Even though the policies and values between China and the United States are far apart, the timely assistance and sincerity that Beijing has demonstrated to Bush in areas where the interests of both sides overlap have touched Bush. This cowboy president is easily ouched, and the new offensive strategy China has adopted toward the United States has pushed Washington-Beijing ties into an unprecedented high point. One of the concrete examples is that the United States has allowed China to have a share in the reconstruction projects and arms deals in Iraq, a privilege that is often granted to U.S. allies only.... "The weapons orders that the United States has in Iraq total USD30 billion (approximately NTD978 billion). Offering benefits worth USD100 million to China means China has formally entered this new developing market and will have opportunities to get more.... For the United States, Iran is a country which plays a critical role in its dealings with Iraq. Given China's increasing influence in Iraq, the White House has started to hope that China will be able to help the United States in this respect. Following its efforts that got off to a good start with its 'North Korea card,' China begins to play the 'Iran card' now; with Chinese-made weaponry entering the market of Iraq, Taiwan's F-16C/D fighter deal can only be put aside." B) "Beijing Keeps a Vigilant Eye on Ma [Ying-jeou] and [Frank] Hsieh, but Puts Its Focus on Opposing Bian" Professor Barry Chen from Chinese Culture University's Graduate School of American Studies, opined in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" [circulation: 530,000] (10/10): "Beijing has fought a very important battle prior to the convening of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) 17th National Congress, which is slated for October 15; namely, it has tried to contain Chen Shui-bian's push for the 'UN referendum.' Given that the DPP has revised its radical 'normal country resolution'; that the Taiwan people's sentiment [for the referendum] has declined, and that the Bush administration has clearly and strongly expressed its position [toward the referendum], Beijing believes that it has achieved certain results that it desired. Even though the referendum drama remains in progress and Beijing is still monitoring its development, the severe situation has, for the time being, been, alleviated. It is thus believed that Beijing is unlikely to use serious and strong wording in its political statement made during the CCP's 17th National Congress.... "In the coming period of less than six months [of Chen's term], Beijing will put its focus on [Taiwan's] referendum, legislative elections, and the presidential election, which are closely related to the new developments and the role Chen will play in the DPP. On the whole, Beijing's Taiwan policy will be characterized by 'keeping a vigilant eye on Ma Ying-jeou and Frank Hsieh while putting its focus on opposing Bian.'" WANG