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It is Beijing that is being 'provocative': Joseph Wu

Taiwan's top representative to the US said on Sunday that Taiwanese expressing their desire for UN membership is a peaceful and rational move and that it should never be considered "provocative."

Speaking during a press conference with Taiwanese media representatives, Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said Taiwan is the only nation in the world barred from the UN, adding that for decades Taiwan has not obtained any substantive assistance from the international community.

Against this backdrop, Wu said, Taiwanese must speak in a loud voice about their plight to prevent the nation from becoming completely isolated.

Wu made the remarks in response to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's reference on Friday to Taiwan's planned referendum on whether the country should apply to join the UN under the name "Taiwan" as a "provocative policy."

Wu said that it was Beijing that has been "provocative," adding that it has continued to add to the number of ballistic missiles targeting Taiwan and sought to isolate Taipei diplomatically by attempting to downgrade Taiwan's designation in international organizations.

Moreover, Beijing unilaterally included Taiwanese ports recently as certified Chinese ports on the International Health Regulation-certified port list of the WHO Web site, he said.

China also intends to inaugurate next month a new flight route 4.2 nautical miles (7.8km) west of the centerline dividing the Taiwan Strait, which could pose a severe threat to cross-strait stability and international flight safety.

Wu said Taiwan and the US share many common values and have maintained close and cordial relations on trade, culture and security, which constitute the bedrock of the solid relationship between the two countries.
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