MAY 30 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: CHEN SHUI-BIAN PLOTS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003621 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ETRD ECON CH TW SUBJECT: MAY 30 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: CHEN SHUI-BIAN PLOTS, UN MEMBERSHIP, LEE TENG-HUI TO JAPAN, KMT PARTY CONSTITUTION, MA YING-JEOU AND U.S. RELATIONS, CROSS-STRAIT TRANSPORT Summary -------------- ¶1. Key points at the May 30 Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) press briefing were: -- The TAO is highly concerned about Chen Shui-bian and the DPP's push for a referendum on applying for membership in the UN under the name "Taiwan." -- Japan should abide by the three political joint documents between the two countries, stick to commitments made on the Taiwan issue and not provide a platform for the Taiwan separatist movement. -- Transportation Ministry Water Transportation Department Director General Song Dexing provided details about five recently announced policy measures to promote cross-Strait direct shipping by sea. He charged that Taiwan authorities' restrictive policies are hindering progress on building such links. End summary. DPP, Chen Shui-bian's Plots, UN Membership -------------- ¶2. At the opening of the May 30 regular TAO press briefing, spokesman Li Weiyi issued a long statement condemning Chen Shui-bian's "radical" and "brazen" attempts to implement "Taiwan independence," such as "name-changing," "new Constitutions" and "de- Sinification." Li stressed that attempts to separate Taiwan from China are doomed to fail and will never be tolerated by any person or group under any name. He also underlined the TAO stance that there is a difference between the majority of DPP members and a small number of people advocating "Taiwan independence," adding that the Mainland is willing to engage in positive exchange and cooperation. Responding to a Xinhua News Agency question the matter, Li said the TAO is highly concerned about Chen Shui-bian and the DPP's push for a referendum on applying for membership in the UN under the name "Taiwan" and called the effort "a plot to secede from China." Lee Teng-hui's Visit to Japan -------------- ¶3. When asked about former Taiwan "President" Lee Teng-hui's "private travel" to Japan, the spokesman called on Japan to abide by the three political joint documents between the two countries, stick to commitments made on the Taiwan issue and not provide a platform for the Taiwan separatist movement. KMT Revises Party Constitution -------------- ¶4. Asked if the KMT had discussed with the TAO changes to the KMT party constitution that replaced the word "unification" with "peaceful development," Li replied that the TAO has seen the relevant reports and that "there has been no communication" with the KMT on the subject. Asked if it would harm United States- Taiwan relations if Ma Ying-jeou were elected "President" in 2008 and proceeded to promote unification, the spokesman said that the political foundation of cross-Strait relations, which is the idea that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory, can not easily be destroyed. Strengthening Cross-Strait Transportation Ties -------------- - ¶5. Before taking questions, Transportation Ministry Water Transportation Department Director General Song Dexing provided details about five recently announced policy measures to promote cross-Strait direct shipping by sea. The measures include encouraging Taiwan enterprises to directly invest in Mainland ports and highway construction, further opening the Mainland's transportation industry to Taiwan enterprises, exempting the "mini three links" from sales and income taxes, providing discounted training and certification for Taiwanese taxes, providing discounted training and certification for Taiwanese crewmen and divers and supplying Taiwan with search and rescue assistance. BEIJING 00003621 002 OF 002 ¶6. Taiwan has not given an official response, but China hopes Taiwan will take reciprocal measures, DG Song said, responding to questions about the announcement. He clarified that formal channels already exist for many of these measures and more details can be found on the Transportation Department website, including instructions for Taiwan enterprises interested in investing in the Mainland. No News on Possible Wang Jin-pyng Visit -------------- ¶7. Asked for information on the possible visit of Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng to the Mainland, the spokesman said the TAO has taken note of relevant reports. Li reiterated the Mainland welcomes political parities, organizations or representatives who recognize the "1992 consensus" to visit the Mainland, at the appropriate time and under the appropriate titles, for the development of cross- Strait relations. Agricultural Imports Brisk -------------- ¶8. Taiwan fruit imports have increased in variety, volume and value since they began in 2005, Li said when asked about the current situation of Taiwan's agricultural product sales to the Mainland. Authorities have taken measures to facilitate the import of these products, initiate emergency procurement and investigate fake products, he added. Three Models of Transport Not Adequate -------------- ¶9. The TAO hopes to break through the current three- model "typical approach" to promote comprehensive, two-way direct shipping which will better meet the needs and economic interests of both Taiwan and Mainland China, Song said when asked about figures recently released by the Taiwan Transportation Authority. The three models are "four direct links," "cross-Strait third location" and "mini three links," he added, providing transportation figures for each. He charged that the Taiwan authorities' restrictive policies are hindering progress on building greater links. PICCUTA