MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000379 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 April 1 news coverage on the new benefits for Taiwan's workers that the Legislative Yuan approved Tuesday; on the year-end mayoral and county magistrate elections; and on clashes occurred when a former Toronto-based Government Information Office official, who was fired for his allegedly anti-Taiwan writings, returned to Taiwan Tuesday. In terms of editorials and commentaries, a column in the pro-independence "Liberty Times" discussed the thirty-year-old Taiwan Relations Act and China's challenges to the United States. The article called on the Obama Administration to do an overall examination of the United States' cross-Strait policy and stop China from becoming a threat to universal values. End summary. "China Challenging the United States; Remembering [Former U.S. President Ronald] Reagan's Six Assurances [to Taiwan]" Political Commentator Paul Lin wrote in his column in the pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 700,000] (4/1): "... When discussing the Taiwan Relations Act, one must not overlook the 'Six Assurances' [former U.S.] President Ronald Reagan made to Taiwan [in 1982] with regard to [U.S.] policy toward the cross-Strait situation -- Namely, [the United States] would not be a mediator; would not exert pressure [on Taiwan] to talk [with China]; would not set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan; would not hold consultations with Beijing regarding arms sales to Taiwan; would not revise the Taiwan Relations Act; and would not alter U.S. recognition of Taiwan's sovereignty. Reagan was one of the greatest U.S. presidents, so the Six Assurances should serve as a constant reminder for presidents after him. Anyone who deviates from the Six Assurances will not only bring disaster to Taiwan but also to the United States and the world. "But, unfortunately, we also saw that since the Reagan Administration, the United States has made so many concessions to Chinese hegemony that it has allowed an enemy to grow strong, thus creating the situation today. Whatever concessions one makes to China weaken support for Taiwan's democracy. No matter how inappropriate Taiwan's U.S. policy is, Taiwan is, after all, a democratic country; and no matter how hard China has tried to curry favor with the United States, China remains a one-party dictatorship. Without such fundamental knowledge, any policy [making] will go awry. "Yet another misfortune is that, when it comes to U.S. policy, the State Department and the Pentagon share different views. ... Let's just take a look at the financial tsunami sweeping the world now. Does China really draw a clear line between military, economics and politics when it comes to its attitude toward the United States? [No -- what China is conducting] is an all-out attack. ... "In the face of China's challenges, the United States should assist Taiwan in safeguarding the first island chain, rather than supporting Ma Ying-jeou's move to use 'peace' to giftwrap [the intention of] surrender, thus encouraging ... that Taiwan be handed over to the [Chinese] Communist Party and in the meantime burying Japan. If cross-Strait peace were viewed as the highest value, the United States should have given up its support for Taiwan in the 50s. What need is there to let the Taiwan people enjoy [the sweetness of their] democracy for just a short while, then [make them] face the pain of losing it? Is it possible that the United States will not come forward and say anything until Taiwan sinks to the circumstances of genocide like Tibet? The Obama Administration, which is reviewing the United States' global strategy now, should do an overall examination of the U.S.'s cross-Strait policy in the retrospect to the Reagan Administration and stop authoritarian China from becoming a threat to universal values." YOUNG