JUNE 27 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: CROSS-STRAIT SHARED

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 004321 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ETRD ECON KOLY CH TW SUBJECT: JUNE 27 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: CROSS-STRAIT SHARED MARKET, HONG KONG 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, OLYMPICS, TAIWAN SCHOLARS' IDEAS ON REUNIFICATION, TOURISM, CHARTER FLIGHTS Summary -------------- ¶1. Key points at the June 27 Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) press briefing were: -- The Mainland supports resuming consultations on a cross-Strait "common market" based on the "1992 Consensus." -- The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) has been fair, open and transparent in working with enterprises as sponsors, partners and suppliers, including those from Taiwan. -- China hopes to remove "political interference" from discussion of the Olympic torch relay route. -- The TAO hopes increased understanding among Taiwan compatriots on the success of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong will promote peaceful reunification. End Summary. Cross-Strait "Common Market," Vincent Siew -------------- ¶2. At the June 27 regular TAO press briefing, spokesman Yang Yi said the Mainland advocates jointly exploring establishment of a cross-Strait economic cooperation mechanism and resumption of consultations on a "common market" based on the "1992 Consensus," in response to a question about Ma Ying-jeou's push for a cross-Strait common market. In reply to a question on his views of Ma's Vice Presidential candidate, Yang said he has had no previous contact with Vincent Siew. Olympic Business Opportunities, Torch Relay Route -------------- -------------- ¶3. The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) has been fair, open and transparent in working with enterprises as sponsors, partners and suppliers, Yang said in response to questions about Taiwan businesses reportedly believing the bar for participation is set too high. Taiwanese companies are included in the current 61 corporate sponsors of the Games, he added. Regarding the current stalemate over the Olympic torch relay route, Yang said China hopes to remove "political interference" in implementing the consensus that previously had been reached by both sides, which had been approved by the International Olympic Committee. "Peaceful Independence, Democratic Reunification" -------------- -------------- ¶4. As long as there is hope for peaceful reunification, China will strive to develop cross-Strait relations, but will never tolerate Taiwan independence, Yang told reporters. He was responding to a question about a new slogan, "peaceful independence, democratic reunification," reportedly circulating in Taiwan academic circles, as well as Taiwan scholar Huang Jiashu's view that the incompatibility of the Mainland and Taiwan's political and legal systems must be addressed. Success of "One Country, Two Systems" in Hong Kong -------------- -------------- ¶5. In response to questions on the tenth anniversary of Hong Kong's reversion to China, Yang called attention to the success of the "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong," and "high degree of autonomy" concepts in Hong Kong over the past decade. He expressed hope that increased understanding of the success of "one country, two systems" among Taiwan compatriots would promote the "peaceful reunification of the Motherland." Yang also pointed out the ever-increasing exchange and trade between Hong Kong and Taiwan and encouraged the further development of Hong Kong-Taiwan relations. Cross-Strait Tourism, Charter Flights -------------- ¶6. The spokesman again blamed Taiwan for thwarting a deal on cross-Strait tourism on which he said civilian trade organizations from both sides had reached consensus after five rounds of technical consultations. The first Dragon Boat Festival charter flights were completed successfully June 15-22, consisting of 21 round-trip flights, but Yang said China believes only with the early realization of weekend and normal charter flights will demand be met and real convenience provided to compatriots on both sides of the Strait. BEIJING 00004321 002 OF 002 Youth Exchange, Agriculture Cooperation -------------- ¶7. The spokesman gave a detailed description of exhibitions related to cross-Strait agriculture held in cooperation with the Taiwan Provincial Association of Agriculture on June 20-25 in the cities of Shanghai, Nanjing, Fuzhou, Wuhan, Guangzhou and Dalian. In reply to a question about a cross-Strait youth summer camp, Yang only mentioned a cooperative project among the China Reporters Association, the China Association of Journalists and Taiwan. RANDT