The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) blasted Beijing yesterday for "distorting and insulting" President Chen Shui-bian's (
The Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) of China's State Council broke its silence yesterday and held the first regular press conference since the March 20 presidential election in Taiwan.
PHOTO: REUTERS
TAO Spokesman Li Weiyi (
Chen has repeatedly spoken in public about his intention to hold a referendum on formulating a new constitution in 2006 and enacting it in 2008, in order to make Taiwan a "normal and complete" nation, Li said. He said that Chen's remarks betrayed the real intention of pushing for Taiwan's independence.
China's strongest criticism of Chen since the president won his second term came as US Vice President Dick Cheney visited Beijing and met with Chinese Central Military Commission Chairman Jiang Zemin (
In their meetings with Cheney, the Chinese leaders urged the US to adhere to its commitment on the Taiwan issue and not send the wrong signals to Taiwan's "independence forces."
In response to the TAO's remarks, MAC Vice Chairman Chen Ming-tong (陳明通) held a press conference expressing the council's "deep regrets" about Beijing's "insults and false criticisms" of President Chen.
Chen Ming-tong said the timing of the TAO press conference had nothing to do with Cheney's visit.
"It is a regular press conference," he said.
The Chinese authorities have been emotional in dealing with issues concerning Taiwan and has unnecessarily politicized them, which "is the main reason that cross-strait relations can not develop smoothly," said Chen Ming-tong.
Referring to the draft amendment of the Chinese Constitution adopted by the China's National People's Congress, Chen Ming-tong said Beijing should be able to understand that constitutional reform is a necessary step in a country's development.
He said Beijing should not engage in senseless speculation about Taiwan's constitutional reform, and noted that the president has pledged not to change the country's title, flag or territorial definition in the new constitution.
MAC Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (
Li reiterated that Taiwan must accept the "one China" principle in order to start a dialogue with China on the three direct links -- transportation, trade and postal service -- between the two sides.
But Chen Ming-tong, noting that direct links talks have always been hampered by China's political preconditions, called for Beijing to "immediately remove the preconditions" and open negotiations with Taiwan to prepare for the implementation of the links.
Asked whether the US would reduce its arms sales to Taiwan as requested by Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong (曾慶紅) during his meeting with Cheney, Chen Ming-tong said the US' cross-strait policy is aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Regarding Cheney's remarks in Beijing that Washington does not support independence for Taiwan, Chen Ming-tong said Cheney's comment showed no "structural change" in the US' cross-strait policy.
Asked whether Taiwan should change its cross-strait policies if Beijing insisted on the "one China" principle, Chen Ming-tong emphasized that China has to change its attitude.
"Beijing has to face the fact that the Republic of China exists. It also has to respect the mainstream opinion of the people of Taiwan," he said.
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