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?
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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

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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
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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