Officials from both Washington and Beijing voiced strong opposition Wednesday to the passage of the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act (TSEA), with the US administration promising to stop the bill dead in its tracks before it could possibly become law.
"We made it very clear that we oppose that piece of legislation, and we will veto it because we believe that it runs counter to the strategic relationship we've had [with Taiwan]," said White House spokesman, Joe Lockhart.
"It would not serve the stability of the region."
His comments amplified US President Bill Clinton's position and came in response to increased US diplomatic activity in Beijing after the House of Representatives on Tuesday voted 341-70 in favor of the Act.
The TSEA still has to pass the Senate, where observers have said it will face a tougher battle.
The bill would establish direct military-to-military contacts with Taiwan, expand training opportunities for Taiwan officers, the exchange of yearly Pentagon assessments of threats to Taiwan's security and periodic reports on Washington's ability to respond to them.
Clinton's national security advisor, Sandy Berger, said congressional intervention and stepping up military relations with Taiwan could alter the balance of peace in the region.
"I think particularly at this time, as we are leading up to an election in Taiwan, a time of great sensitivity, we here in the United States should not upset the balance that for 25 years has created stability and peace in Taiwan," he said.
"I think this is a very risky undertaking," he cautioned.
In Beijing, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (
"The United States government, including President Clinton, have made commitments," said Zhu.
"We hope the US side will take effective measures and prevent this act from becoming law," he said.
Some critics feel that the bill could scotch the smooth entry of China into the World Trade Organization (WTO) as the US Congress has yet to grant China permanent Normal Trading Relations status -- a prerequisite to Beijing's accession to the trade organization.
The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Hong Kong said the proposed US legislation might "derail China's accession to the WTO and upset commerce in the region and create problems for the permanent normal trade relations status."
Worried about an overly sensitive China, AmCham president Frank Martin said the legislation would "needlessly affront" China at a time when US-China relations were improving.
Meanwhile, the DPP welcomed the passage of the bill by sending a letter to members of Congress.
In the letter the DPP gave assurances that it would not declare independence if its candidate, Chen Shui-bian (
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