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