The US would be an unlikely mediator in any possible talks between Taiwan and China, said incoming Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Hung-mao (
But Tien did urge Washington to continue the unofficial "track two" mediation of sending unofficial envoys to both Taipei and Beijing to help ease tensions.
The Washington Post reported on Saturday that official from both Taiwan and China had asked the US to "play a helpful role" in seeking to improve cross-strait relations.
But while Taiwan's officials, including Tsai Ying-wen (
White House officials reiterated the policy that the US government is not mediating and does not seek to mediate between the two sides of Taiwan Strait.
"We believe the cross-strait issue should be discussed in the context of direct discussions, and the US is not seeking a role as a mediator here," said White House spokesman Joe Lockhart.
The US State Department also quickly denied the report.
Spokesman Richard Boucher said although the US acted quickly to prevent a potential military conflict in 1996, "we don't consider that we've been asked to mediate here, and we don't seek that status."
He stated in the press conference that Washington's long-standing policy has been based on three pillars -- the recognition that there is only one China, peaceful resolution of the differences across the Strait, and support for dialogue.
"We believe that cross-strait dialogue is the best way to resolve these differences peacefully," said Boucher, "and ... we urge them to think creatively about how to establish a peaceful dialogue and to resolve their differences peacefully."
William Perry, the former US Secretary of Defense, said on Monday that while direct intervention in cross-strait issue "is not wise," he believed that communication could be better improved by "track two" dialogue.
Perry added that he is planning to lead a delegation to visit Taipei and Beijing in the near future.
In Taipei, former Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and US ambassador to China James Lilley, said that Beijing has urged Washington to facilitate relations with Taiwan but both sides should carefully consider the move before appealing for US involvement.
However, the Chinese foreign ministry rejected such suggestions yesterday, reiterating Beijing's long-standing position that cross-strait issues are internal affairs.
"The Taiwan issue is China's internal affair," said spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue (
She said the US should stick to its commitment to the "one China" policy and refrain from anything to harm relations across the Strait.
Stephen Yates, a senior policy analyst at The Heritage Foundation, warned that US intervention may not necessary work to Taiwan's advantage.
"Beijing only wants the US to intervene to pressure Taiwan," Yates told the Taipei Times.
"The last thing China wants is to internationalize the Taiwan issue."
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