MEDIA REACTION: CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 001183 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/P, EAP/PD - THOMAS HAMM DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused news coverage September 30 on the Taiwan government's plan to ease its restrictions on local semiconductor and LCD companies investing in China; on the 2009 U.S.-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference currently held in Virginia; and on China's celebrations of its upcoming 60th anniversary. In terms of editorials and commentaries, an editorial in the pro-independence "Liberty Times" discussed China's celebrations of its 60th anniversary and what it believes to be the Ma Ying-jeou administration's tilting toward China. The article cited the San Francisco Peace Treaty of 1952 and concluded that Taiwan does not belong to the Republic of China (ROC),and as a result, the island will become part of China even if the ROC on Taiwan surrenders itself to the People's Republic of China in the future. An editorial in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" urged the Taiwan government not to forget that China remains to a key threat to Taiwan's national security. End summary. A) "Two Psychological Portrayals, One Big Pitfall" The pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 680,000] editorialized (9/30): "... In other words, given the actions taken in the wake of World War II, the international treaties signed between the victorious and defeated nations only stated that Japan had renounced [its claim over] Taiwan; they did not specify which country Taiwan belonged to. According to the principles of international law, Taiwan's sovereignty naturally belongs to the people of Taiwan. As a result, it is evidently nonsensical talk when the People's Republic of China (PRC) claims that Taiwan is part of China, or when the Republic of China (ROC) claims that Taiwan was returned to the ROC. "In this vein, the significance of the 60th anniversary of the PRC for the Taiwan people is: Taiwan has yet to break away from the occupation of the ROC, and that the ROC has 'never possessed the sovereignty' [of Taiwan]. ... Based on the aforementioned logic, there are only some unresolved issues between Taiwan and the ROC; even if the ROC on Taiwan surrenders itself to the PRC in the future, Taiwan will not become part of China! The Ma administration has said more than once that they will not sell out Taiwan. In reality, however, it is not that they will not sell out Taiwan, but that they do not have the right to sell out Taiwan. Taiwan's sovereignty does not belong to the ROC, so how is the Ma administration going to sell out Taiwan? Nonetheless, judging from the policy of the Ma administration, [Ma] is interested in working with Beijing to jointly annex Taiwan -- namely, the ROC and the PRC will decide privately how they are going to deal with Taiwan, and eventually Taiwan will become a thing in China's bag. ..." B) "Friend or Foe?" The mass-circulation "Apple Daily" [circulation: 520,000] editorialized (9/30): "In its briefing to the Legislative Yuan today, the Ministry of Defense said China has been rapidly strengthening its modern armed forces; China's hostility against Taiwan persists, and China remains the key threat to Taiwan's national security. ... China's essence of being fascist is evident, as shown by the parade it will be holding on October 1 in celebration of its National Day. ... Except for Pyongyang and Beijing, few countries in the world like to review their troops any more in this way of showing off. ... The Ministry of Defense was being polite in saying that China is a threat to Taiwan. We hope that the national security team will have the same understanding and will not forget to stand on their toes while seeking to improve Taiwan's relations with China." STANTON