NOVEMBER 28 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: AGRICULTURAL

UNCLAS BEIJING 007254

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ETRD ECON MASS CH TW
SUBJECT: NOVEMBER 28 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: AGRICULTURAL
COOPERATION, MARTIAL LAW IN TAIWAN, 1992 CONSENSUS,
MAINLAND SCHOLARS TO TAIWAN, GERMAN MARKED BONDS, SAND
EXPORTS

Summary
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1. Key points at the November 28 Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO)
press briefing were:

-- SAIC DDG Pan Haimin discussed issues related to
cross-Strait agricultural cooperation on the Mainland.

-- The TAO had no comment regarding Chen Shui-bian's
statements on use of martial law in Taiwan.

-- The Mainland supports a return to peaceful negotiations on
the basis of the 1992 Consensus and the healthy development
of cross-Strait relations.

-- Six scholars from the China University of Political
Science and Law attended a seminar on "cross-Strait judicial
reform" organized by a foundation in Taiwan. End Summary.

Cross-Strait Agricultural Cooperation on the Mainland
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2. At the November 28 regular Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO)
press briefing, spokesperson Fan Liqing introduced DDG Pan
Haimin of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce
(SAIC) to discuss issues related to cross-Strait agricultural
cooperation on the Mainland.

No Comment on Suggestion of Martial Law in Taiwan
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3. Asked if the Mainland would consider invoking the
Anti-Secession Law if Taiwan were to declare a state of
martial law, Fan responded only that she "had seen the
relevant Taiwan media reports." Asked again for the
spokesperson's opinion on the possibility that martial law
could be implemented just before the Taiwan Presidential
election, Fan said she "has no opinion." (NOTE: The press
briefing transcript on the People's Daily website replaced
Taiwan "Presidential" (zongtong) election with Taiwan
"region" (diqu) election.

Promote Healthy Development Based on 1992 Consensus
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4. Asked for comment on the difference between KMT candidate
Ma Ying-jeou's "no unification, no independence, no armed
conflict" policy and the Mainland's hope for peaceful
reunification, the spokesperson said the Mainland supports a
return to peaceful negotiations on the basis of the 1992
Consensus, in order to discuss bilateral issues of common
concern and to promote the healthy development of
cross-Strait relations.

Mainland Professors Attend Seminar in Taiwan
--------------


5. Responding to a reporter's question, Fan said that
Professor Song Chaowu and five other scholars from the China
University of Political Science and Law in Beijing attended a
seminar on "cross-Strait judicial reform" organized by
Professor Han Zhongmou's (pinyin spelling) Foundation for
Legal Studies in Taiwan.

German Marked Bonds, Agricultural Cooperation, Sand
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6. Fan called on Japan to assume its responsibility and
reimburse Taiwan residents for German Marked Bonds they were
forced to buy in the 1920s under Japanese occupation. Other
questions asked at the press briefing concerned cross-Strait
agricultural cooperation and Mainland sand exports to Taiwan.
RANDT