FEBRUARY 28 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: 2/28 INCIDENT,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001321 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ETRD ECON KOLY CH TW SUBJECT: FEBRUARY 28 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: 2/28 INCIDENT, TAO ECONOMIC VISIT TO TAIWAN, KMT-CCP EXCHANGES, CHARTER FLIGHTS, OLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE Summary -------------- ¶1. Key points at the February 28 Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) press briefing were: -- The TAO views the "2/28 incident" - of 1947 as a day in which Taiwan compatriots resisted the KMT in an act of patriotism and democracy and hopes memorial activities will not promote "Taiwan independence." -- TAO Economic Director He Shizhong will travel to Taiwan, though the dates were not confirmed. -- China hopes that KMT-CCP exchanges will continue in 2007, commented the spokesperson when asked about recent remarks by a KMT legislator. -- Holiday charter flights were successful as have been other means of cross-Strait exchange in areas of agriculture, trade and culture. -- The route of the Olympic torch for the 2008 Olympics will be released in April. End Summary. "2/28" Memorial Activities Promoting Independence? -------------- -------------- ¶2. Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) spokesman Li Weiyi held at the February 28 press conference that the Mainland has always viewed the "2/28 incident" of 1947 as a day on which Taiwan compatriots resisted the KMT in an act of patriotism and democracy, when asked for comment on planned memorial activities which some view as promoting "Taiwan independence." Li warned that using the day's events to push for "Taiwan independence" would bring harm to the people of Taiwan and expressed hope that all Taiwan compatriots will continue to work toward increasing exchanges and development of cross- Strait relations. TAO Official to Visit Taiwan -------------- ¶3. TAO Economic Director He Shizhong will travel to Taiwan to further cross-Strait exchanges, confirmed Li, though not specifying Director He's dates of travel. Fervent Opposition to "De Jure Taiwan Independence" -------------- -------------- ¶4. Li reiterated the Mainland's fervent opposition to Taiwan's "name revisions" and other behavior promoting "de jure independence," in response to a question as to why the TAO continued to label 2007 a "key year" in cross-Strait relations. Anniversary of Anti-Secession Law -------------- ¶5. Asked by a Beijing news reporter if there were any activities planned during this year's National People's Congress session (which begins on March 5) to mark the two-year anniversary of the Anti-Secession Law, Li said there were none as far as he knew. KMT-CCP Exchange -------------- ¶6. Asked for a reaction to comments by a KMT legislator that April would be an important time for cross-Strait relations, Li spoke of the successful trade and culture forum resulting from last year's KMT-CCP meetings and expressed hope that such cooperation will continue this year. Holiday Charter Flights, Successful, Hope for More -------------- -------------- ¶7. From January 13-February 26, there were ninety-six direct charter flights between the Mainland and Taiwan, 97 percent of which were on Xiamen Airlines. Many Taiwan friends and business people expressed dissatisfaction that there were not more flights and cities involved, and the TAO hopes both sides can increase efforts in this respect. ¶8. Reporting on the progress of Mainland-Taiwan tourism negotiations, Li stated that private organizations have held four consultations and made BEIJING 00001321 002 OF 002 some progress. As soon as the two sides reach a consensus, Mainlanders will be able to travel to Taiwan, said Li. Olympic Torch Route to be Announced in April -------------- ¶9. Li announced that the route of the Olympic torch, specifically whether or not it will pass through Taiwan, will be released in April. Li gave no news regarding the attendance of Taiwan businesspeople at next month's "two conferences" in Beijing, nor did he have information on the effect of China's recent stock market plunge on Taiwan's economy. RANDT