OCTOBER 31 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: 17TH PARTY CONGRESS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 006919 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ETRD ECON MASS MNUC CH TW SUBJECT: OCTOBER 31 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: 17TH PARTY CONGRESS REPORT, TAIWAN'S UN REFERENDUM, OPPOSITION TO TAIWAN NUKES, PERSONNEL QUESTIONS, INTERNET SPYING Summary -------------- ¶1. Key points at the October 31 Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) press briefing were: -- The spokesman gave a summary of the "guiding ideology" and "overall requirements" for Taiwan-related work revealed in General Secretary Hu Jintao's political report at the recent 17th Party Congress. -- The spokesman expressed the PRC's hope for a return to "equal" (pingdeng) negotiations with the 1992 Consensus as a basis. -- The Mainland will be forced to take "necessary measures" to "protect national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the country's core interests." -- The spokesman expressed clear opposition to the "referendum on UN membership promoted by Chen Shui-bian." -- In response to a question, the spokesman said the PRC firmly opposes development of nuclear weapons or nuclear capabilities in any form by the Taiwan authorities. End Summary. 17th CCP Congress: Peace Agreement, Necessary Measures -------------- -------------- ¶2. At the October 31 regular Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) press briefing, spokesman Yang Yi led off with a summary of the "guiding ideology" and "overall requirements" for Taiwan-related work revealed in General Secretary Hu Jintao's political report at the recent 17th Party Congress. Yang stressed the importance of the "one China" principle as the political basis for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, the sameness in blood and heritage of Chinese compatriots on both sides of the Strait and opposition to "splittist" forces, "de jure Taiwan independence" activities and Chen Shui-bian's referendum on UN membership. The report's call for an end to the "state of hostility" and a "peace agreement" marks a "new developmentin the Party's negotiating position" and "prospects for peaceful development in cross-Strait relations," Yang said. ¶3. The spokesman voiced hope for a return to "equal" (pingdeng) negotiations with the 1992 Consensus as a basis, when asked if moving in the direction of a "peace agreement" could mean restarting the dialogue mechanism between the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS). Asked if after Taiwan's upcoming election in March there could be a positive "turning point" toward a "peace agreement," the spokesman repeated the intention, as expressed in the political report, to build a "framework" for cross-Strait peace and a "new situation" (xin jumian) in the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. ¶4. Yang concluded the conference by affirming that in the case of "Taiwan independence" forces' obstinacy and the risk of "Taiwan independence," the Mainland will be forced to take "necessary measures" to "protect national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the country's core interests." When asked if "necessary measures" could include military action or implementation of the Anti-Secession Law, Yang said the Mainland will "unswervingly" promote the development of cross-Strait relations "in the direction of peace and stability," while at the same time making "necessary preparations for the threat of Taiwan independence." Opposition to Taiwan's "Referendum on UN Membership" -------------- -------------- ¶5. Yang repeatedly expressed China's "clear opposition" to the "referendum on UN membership promoted by Chen Shui-bian," in response to multiple questions on the topic. Reporters' questions included references to KMT support for the referendum and "increasingly aggressive" momentum behind the "UN membership" movement. Mainland Opposes Nukes in Taiwan -------------- ¶6. The spokesman said the TAO has "noticed relevant reports," when asked about Chen Shui-bian's statement that though the DPP would not seek to develop nuclear weapons, Taiwan must strengthen its "national defenses" to combat PRC military forces arrayed against it. The TAO firmly opposes development of nuclear weapons or nuclear capabilities in any BEIJING 00006919 002 OF 002 form by the Taiwan authorities, Yang added. ARATS, TAO Personnel Questions -------------- ¶7. Asked to confirm that former United Front Department Director Yan Minggfu will become the next head of ARATS, Yang replied that he does not know anything regarding "Hong Kong newspaper reports." Yang deflected questions on personnel changes within the TAO. Internet Spying -------------- ¶8. The TAO has "noticed relevant reports" on Internet security, Yang said, in response to a request for confirmation that the Mainland's Ministry of State Security (MSS) had sent out an arrest warrant for Internet "spy" Lee Fang-rong. Yang pointed out the "odious influence" (yingxiang shifen elie) of large-scale Internet spying operations carried out by Taiwan's spying and intelligence organs for many years. He added that those who undertake destructive activities against the Motherland will be investigated and punished according to law. Other Issues Covered -------------- ¶9. The spokesman also took questions on Taiwan business on the Mainland, repatriation of economic criminals, cross-Strait cultural exchange, charter flights, tourism, the 20th anniversary of allowing Taiwan residents to visit family on the Mainland and reports from Taiwan businessmen of TAO neglect of an agricultural cooperation project. Randt