MARCH 28 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: SPOKESPERSON SLAMS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002076 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ETRD ECON CH TW SUBJECT: MARCH 28 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: SPOKESPERSON SLAMS SECOND REPUBLIC CONSTITUTION, CHEN'S STATEMENT ON MAINLAND-TAIWAN-US COOPERATION Summary -------------- ¶1. Key points at the March 28 Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) press briefing were: -- In response to a planted question, spokesman Yang Yi stated strong opposition to a Second Republic Constitution, calling it a plot to "freeze the Constitution" and push through "one country on each side" separation. -- Chen Shui-bian's recent call for Taiwan-Mainland- United States cooperation to safeguard peace is a ploy to hide Chen's separatist activities. -- Yang would not confirm a visit by (LY speaker) Wang Jin-pyng to the Mainland. -- The Mainland's policy toward performers from Taiwan has not changed. -- The Mainland hopes economic issues such as sand exports, tourism and other issues can be resolved through dialogue. End Summary. Second Republic Constitution -------------- ¶2. Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) spokesman Yang Yi voiced strong opposition to National Taiwan University scholar Chen Ming-tong's draft Second Republic Constitution in response to a planted question from a Xinhua reporter. Yang slammed the movement as part of Chen Sui-bian's "de jure Taiwan independence" plot seeking to "trick" the Taiwan people and the international community through efforts to "freeze the Constitution" and push through "one country on each side" separation. The Mainland is seriously concerned about these developments and will never allow Taiwan independence forces to split Taiwan from China. ¶3. Asked by a CCTV reporter about Chen Shui-bian's recent statement that Taiwan, the Mainland and the United States should cooperate to ensure peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific, Yang replied that such talk is a ploy to hide Chen's separatist activities, which are the greatest threat to peace. Only curbing Taiwan independence activities can truly safeguard the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. ¶4. Responding to a Mainland reporter's question about changing the name of the "national language," Yang said both sides should be on high alert. Visit by KMT Official -------------- ¶5. Asked about media reports that (LY Speaker) Wang Jin-pyng plans to travel to the Mainland in April as a "public opinion leader," Yang said China welcomes all people who agree with the "1992 consensus" and oppose Taiwan independence to visit the Mainland in the appropriate capacity and at the appropriate time. China supports exchanges of views on cross-Strait issues with these visitors. Regarding the upcoming KMT Forum, Yang said both parties are still consulting and details will be released soon. The Economic and Cultural Forum inaugurated last year is an important outcome of talks held between party leaders and plays an important role in promoting trade cooperation, peace and the stable development of cross-Strait relations, Yang said. Trade Concerns -------------- ¶6. In response to a claim that the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) introduced new regulations restricting Taiwan performers' career development on the Mainland, Yang said performers from outside the Mainland, including Taiwan, have always needed authorization from SARFT to join Mainland programs. Yang said he was unaware of any change in this policy. ¶7. Asked by a Taiwan reporter for comment on the "severe effect" on Taiwan's construction industry of the Mainland's ban on sand exports to Taiwan, Yang replied that the Mainland hopes that the Taiwan authorities and non-governmental trade organizations BEIJING 00002076 002 OF 002 on both sides of the Strait can adopt flexible, practical and effective methods to reach a consensus on the issue. On Taiwan's request for WTO consultations on agriculture, Yang played up increased sales of Taiwan agricultural products to the Mainland and said establishment of a cross-Strait economic mechanism would expand and deepen exchanges and cooperation. ¶8. Regarding a proposal to issue identity documents that facilitate Taiwan residents' business, schooling and residence in the Mainland, Yang said the relevant Mainland agency is expected to adjust the validity of Taiwan documents to make them valid for a period of five years. Yang stated that China actively promotes Mainland tourism to Taiwan and delaying the process of expanding tourism equates to not being responsible to Taiwan's tourism sector and its people. RANDT