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Exiled dissident slams Taiwan's UN bid

Exiled Chinese dissident Wei Jingsheng (魏京生) considers Taiwan's proposed referendum on whether to use "Taiwan" to apply for UN membership "absurd," saying it is an election scheme that will put Taiwan in greater danger.

Wei made the remark when he was asked by a Taiwanese TV station after making a speech in Sydney on the eve of a meeting of US President George W. Bush and Chinese president Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) today in Sydney.

"The move bears little real meaning ... it's not for real change in Taiwan's status but for the purpose of election," Wei said. "[Taiwanese] Politicians should care more about the safety and future of Taiwanese instead of just winning elections."

It would be more appropriate for Taiwan to join the UN using the name "Republic of China," Wei said.

Taiwan's return to the UN would benefit the nation in trade and obtain recognition from foreign countries, but the attempt would only result in bigger danger, he said.

China will oppose Taiwan's UN referendum bid, but the reaction will not be so extreme as to hurt the current stability of cross-strait relations, he said after being asked whether he thought China would launch a military reaction to the bid.

Beijing is aware that the US is not supporting the bid and has previously criticized the referendum, Wei said. He also said that Japan and neighboring countries want to avoid a war in the Asia-Pacific region.

Wei, who was imprisoned for 18 years in China for his pro-democracy activities and for criticizing the Beijing authorities, is in Sydney for a speech tour at the invitation of a private Australian group.

Additional reporting by CNA
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