SEPTEMBER 12 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: TAIWAN'S UN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 005973 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ETRD ECON KOLY CH TW SUBJECT: SEPTEMBER 12 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: TAIWAN'S UN REFERENDUM, OLYMPIC TORCH, TAIWAN BUSINESS CONCERNS, TOURISM, YAO MING'S TAIWAN VISIT, CIVIL AVIATION BEIJING 00005973 001.2 OF 002 Summary -------------- ¶1. Key points at the September 12 Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) press briefing were: -- If Chen disregards the "condemnation of the international community" regarding his "independence provocations," he will "bear responsibility for all consequences." -- Olympic Committees on both sides of the Strait continue to discuss the Olympic torch route issue because of the large number of Taiwan compatriots who wish to see the torch pass through Taiwan. -- The Shin Kong Mitsukoshi - Beijing Hualian Group conflict was merely a "business dispute," as confirmed in a joint statement released the two parties. -- At a September 6 conference in Xiamen, Vice Premier Wu Yi encouraged cross-Strait economic interaction and pledged to help Taiwan businesses solve problems encountered on the Mainland. End Summary. Chen Shui-bian Responsible for "All Consequences" -------------- -------------- ¶2. At the September 12 regular Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) press briefing, spokesman Li Weiyi criticized Chen Shui-bian's "Taiwan independence provocations" when asked about Chen's "separatist comments" by a Xinhua News Agency reporter. Li accused Chen of ignoring the rights and interests of Taiwan's 23 million compatriots and reiterated the "immutable fact" that Taiwan is a part of one China. If Chen disregards the "condemnation of the international community", he will "bear responsibility for all consequences," Li added. Later in the press briefing, Li added that Chen's intended referendum on UN membership would change the status quo that both sides of the Strait belong to one China and is an act of "Taiwan independence." Thus, it naturally is Chen who would bear responsibility for all consequences. Cross-Strait Olympic Committees Discuss Torch Route -------------- -------------- ¶3. Olympic Committees on both sides of the Strait continue to discuss the Olympic torch route issue, Li said in response to a reporter's questions, because Taiwan authorities considered the large number of Taiwan compatriots who wish to see the torch pass through Taiwan. Li pointed out that Taiwan had previously "unilaterally" rejected a consensus already reached between the two sides in February 2007 and approved by the International Olympic Committee in April. Shin Kong - Hualian Issue Merely a "Business Dispute" -------------- -------------- ¶4. Li said a conflict between Taiwan's Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, which runs department stores on the Mainland, and the Beijing Hualian Group was merely a "business dispute," as confirmed in a joint statement released the two parties. Shin Kong expressed its regret and Beijing Hualian stated there was a "misunderstanding" and apologized, Li continued. Asked if the detention by Chinese authorities of Shin Kong General Manager Wu Shin-da after he had boarded an international flight in China was legal, the spokesman replied that public security departments took "emergency measures in accordance with relevant regulations." Wu Yi's Remarks on Assisting Taiwan Businessmen -------------- -- ¶5. In response to a question about Taiwan business concerns regarding adjustments to the Mainland's trade policies, the spokesman said such adjustments are "legitimate and necessary" and are based solely on the needs of China's macroeconomic development and changes in the global trade environment. The spokesman further noted that, at a September 6 conference in Xiamen, Vice Premier Wu Yi and 21 other State Council officials conducted face-to-face discussions with Taiwanese business representatives, at which time Wu Yi encouraged greater interaction between both sides of the Strait on economic matters, listened to the concerns of Taiwan businesses and pledged to help them solve problems encountered on the Mainland. Cross-Strait Tourism Issues Unresolved -------------- BEIJING 00005973 002.2 OF 002 ¶6. Li acknowledged that many technical issues had been worked out in six rounds of negotiations on the issue of Mainland tourism to Taiwan, but that some problems still exist. He expressed hope that the Taiwan side would increase its efforts to solve these issues. Yao Ming's Taiwan Visit -------------- ¶7. Li expressed regret over "irrational hindrance" of Yao Ming's visit to Taiwan by Taiwan authorities and remarked that he did not know "what they were afraid of." Li said Yao Ming was eventually welcomed and well received by the Taiwan public. Cross-Strait Civil Aviation Exchange -------------- ¶8. Asked about media reports on the desire for a cross-Strait civil aviation mechanism for investigating accidents, the spokesman said he was aware of previous communications on this issue and that the TAO hopes such contact and communication between civil aviation authorities will continue. Randt