While noting that China's latest statement regarding Taiwan offer-ed nothing new in terms of policy, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday said the wording of the statement suggested that China was leaning toward a tougher approach.
"Communist China's rhetoric was strong and tough; otherwise there is nothing new compared to its usual stance," KMT spokesman Alex Tsai (蔡正元) said.
"For the sake of national development and the well-being of future generations, [President] Chen Shui-bian (
He urged Chen, as well as the Beijing government, to resolve cross-strait issues peacefully.
Su Chi (蘇起), director of the KMT's International Affairs Committee, said China's latest statement regarding Taiwan employs the most severe tone used in recent years, citing expressions such as "the brink of danger" and "playing with fire."
Su dismissed speculation that the timing of the statement -- just a few days ahead of Chen's May 20 inauguration -- was an admission that China considers Chen the winner of the presidential election.
Chen defeated KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) in the March 20 election by a thin margin. Lien, who refused to concede defeat, is contesting the result.
"The fact that China chose to release the statement just a few days ahead of Chen Shui-bian's May 20 inauguration suggests that China no longer cares what Chen will say in his speech," Su said.
"In other words, China views Chen without the slightest trust," he added.
On a separate note, Tsai yesterday said that the KMT-PFP alliance had received permission to hold a protest rally against the inauguration at the National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall on Thursday morning, a time chosen to coincide with Chen's ceremony at the Presidential Office.
The memorial hall's management committee said last week that it could not allow the pan-blue camp to hold its rally at the hall, as it was reserved for educational events.
However, their request was granted yesterday afternoon after the KMT renegotiated with the management committee and signed an agreement promising to keep order and keep any commotion to a minimum so that nearby residents and the Kung-fu Elementary School's classes would not be disturbed.
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