Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09AITTAIPEI359
2009-03-27 09:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0017 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHIN #0359 0860956 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 270956Z MAR 09 FM AIT TAIPEI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1234 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 9068 RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 0509
UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000359
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - NIDA EMMONS
DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS
Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused March 27
news coverage on the Pentagon's 2009 annual report on China's
military power, which was released Wednesday; on Taiwan's economic
prospects; and on the ongoing investigations into former President
Chen Shui-bian and his family's legal cases. In terms of editorials
and commentaries, an editorial in the pro-independence "Liberty
Times" discussed the House of Representatives' recent move to pass a
joint resolution defending Taiwan as well as the Pentagon's annual
report on China's military power. The article lashed out at China
for attempting to incite Washington to give up its support for
Taiwan, and at the Ma Ying-jeou Administration for what it believes
to be Ma's "pro-China" policy. End summary.
"Attach Great Importance to the Message Delivered When the United
States Reiterates Its Support for the 'Taiwan Relations Act'"
The pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 700,000]
editorialized (3/27):
"... During the process when the House of Representatives discussed
a joint resolution [reaffirming its support for the 'Taiwan
Relations Act'], China manifestly sought to interfere by expressing
hope that wordings such as one China, the three [Sino-U.S.]
communiques, and the United States and China having formal
diplomatic relations could be added to the resolution, and words
such as security and arms sales to Taiwan could be removed. Yet
China's scheme has failed to prevail after all. China's wishful
thinking went like this: Since the United States is caught deeply
in the financial storm, and it needs some assistance from China,
Beijing can seize the opportunity to ask for anything it wants from
Washington and take unfair advantage on the Taiwan issue. The fact
is that Washington's long-term strategic concept for the Taiwan
Strait far surpasses the short-term impact of the financial tsunami.
China, as a result, flew into a rage over its failed attempt. ...
"... China continues to elevate its military threats against Taiwan
and enacted the 'Anti-Secession Law,' stipulating that 'the nation
will adopt non-peaceful means and other necessary measures' against
Taiwan 'to safeguard the integrity of its sovereignty and national
territory.' The move is in exact opposition to the 'Taiwan
Relations Act,' and by no means will it be accepted by the United
States. The U.S. Defense Department, as a result, reiterated that
the United States, consistent with the 'Taiwan Relations Act,' will
continue to make available weapons to enable Taiwan to defend
itself.
"One can say that there are two ways by which China can annex
Taiwan. First, [it can take advantage of] the complexity of the
international situation, such as North Korea, Iraq, Iran and the war
on terrorism. When the United States is likely to have a favor to
ask of China, the latter can force Washington to make concessions on
the Taiwan issue, particularly, to abolish the 'Taiwan Relations
Act' (TRA) or at least to modify the TRA articles on arms sales to
Taiwan. In that case, Taiwan will have no way to hide itself from
the military shadow of China. Second, [Beijing] can take advantage
of the timing of the pro-China force becoming the ruling party in
Taiwan to intensify its united front tactics against the island. In
particular, Beijing can use some economic incentives to lure a few
financial syndicates in Taiwan and strengthen its united front
tactics by targeting central and southern Taiwan in an attempt to
collapse the Taiwan people's national identity from inside and thus
'shape an irreversible trend for unification.' Judging from the
developments since U.S. President Barack Obama took office,
including the House joint resolution at this time, it will not be
easy for China to incite the United States to give up its support
for Taiwan. ..."
YOUNG
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - NIDA EMMONS
DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS
Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused March 27
news coverage on the Pentagon's 2009 annual report on China's
military power, which was released Wednesday; on Taiwan's economic
prospects; and on the ongoing investigations into former President
Chen Shui-bian and his family's legal cases. In terms of editorials
and commentaries, an editorial in the pro-independence "Liberty
Times" discussed the House of Representatives' recent move to pass a
joint resolution defending Taiwan as well as the Pentagon's annual
report on China's military power. The article lashed out at China
for attempting to incite Washington to give up its support for
Taiwan, and at the Ma Ying-jeou Administration for what it believes
to be Ma's "pro-China" policy. End summary.
"Attach Great Importance to the Message Delivered When the United
States Reiterates Its Support for the 'Taiwan Relations Act'"
The pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 700,000]
editorialized (3/27):
"... During the process when the House of Representatives discussed
a joint resolution [reaffirming its support for the 'Taiwan
Relations Act'], China manifestly sought to interfere by expressing
hope that wordings such as one China, the three [Sino-U.S.]
communiques, and the United States and China having formal
diplomatic relations could be added to the resolution, and words
such as security and arms sales to Taiwan could be removed. Yet
China's scheme has failed to prevail after all. China's wishful
thinking went like this: Since the United States is caught deeply
in the financial storm, and it needs some assistance from China,
Beijing can seize the opportunity to ask for anything it wants from
Washington and take unfair advantage on the Taiwan issue. The fact
is that Washington's long-term strategic concept for the Taiwan
Strait far surpasses the short-term impact of the financial tsunami.
China, as a result, flew into a rage over its failed attempt. ...
"... China continues to elevate its military threats against Taiwan
and enacted the 'Anti-Secession Law,' stipulating that 'the nation
will adopt non-peaceful means and other necessary measures' against
Taiwan 'to safeguard the integrity of its sovereignty and national
territory.' The move is in exact opposition to the 'Taiwan
Relations Act,' and by no means will it be accepted by the United
States. The U.S. Defense Department, as a result, reiterated that
the United States, consistent with the 'Taiwan Relations Act,' will
continue to make available weapons to enable Taiwan to defend
itself.
"One can say that there are two ways by which China can annex
Taiwan. First, [it can take advantage of] the complexity of the
international situation, such as North Korea, Iraq, Iran and the war
on terrorism. When the United States is likely to have a favor to
ask of China, the latter can force Washington to make concessions on
the Taiwan issue, particularly, to abolish the 'Taiwan Relations
Act' (TRA) or at least to modify the TRA articles on arms sales to
Taiwan. In that case, Taiwan will have no way to hide itself from
the military shadow of China. Second, [Beijing] can take advantage
of the timing of the pro-China force becoming the ruling party in
Taiwan to intensify its united front tactics against the island. In
particular, Beijing can use some economic incentives to lure a few
financial syndicates in Taiwan and strengthen its united front
tactics by targeting central and southern Taiwan in an attempt to
collapse the Taiwan people's national identity from inside and thus
'shape an irreversible trend for unification.' Judging from the
developments since U.S. President Barack Obama took office,
including the House joint resolution at this time, it will not be
easy for China to incite the United States to give up its support
for Taiwan. ..."
YOUNG