US Secretary of State-designate Colin Powell said during his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday that cross-strait relations should be settled peacefully.
But Powell stopped short of committing the George W. Bush administration to a specific pledge to defend Taiwan if China threatened its neighbor or used force. Powell also said that the Bush administration has not yet formed a stance on the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act (TSEA).
Powell's comments were his most detailed explanation of the new administration's China policy since Bush was nominated for the US presidency by the Republican Party in Philadelphia last summer.
PHOTO: REUTERS
"Let all who doubt, from whatever perspective, be assured of one solid truth: We expect and demand a peaceful settlement [of cross-strait issues], one acceptable to people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait," he said.
"This is one of the fundamentals that we feel strongly about, and that all should be absolutely clear about."
Powell said that the US "ac-knowledges" that there is only "one China," and that "Taiwan is part of China," but he did not attempt to detail the new administration's interpretation of what is meant by "one China."
He did indicate that Washington would not interfere in the resolution of the cross-strait issue.
"How the People's Republic of China and Taiwan resolve the differences in interpretation of that view is up to them -- so long as military force is not one of the methods used," he said. "We understand that a strong Taiwan that is secure is a foundation for that prosperous country to continue to prosper, and it is the foundation of stability and security in that part of the world."
Under questioning from Senator Jesse Helms, foreign relations committee chairman, Powell said the new administration has yet to decide on TSEA.
"We haven't had a discussion with the administration about the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act and exactly what position we'll be taking once we're in," he said, offering to hold discussions with Helms and committee members on the issue after tomorrow's presidential inauguration.
An attempt by Helms to get the TSEA through the Senate last year failed, but he has said recently that getting a new version passed would be one of his top priorities this year.
Helms told the committee the provisions of the new TSEA will include close consultations between the White House and Congress on any Taiwan arms sales, lifting restrictions on American military travel to Taiwan, establishing direct secure communications with the Taiwan military, and having the administration report to Congress on America's "ability to respond to a military contingency in Taiwan."
On broad Sino-US relations, Powell described China as a "competitor" but not an enemy, and has pledged to take constructive action in a bid to improve bilateral relations.
"China is a giant -- a giant trying to find its way in the world, with a communist leadership still, yet with distinctively Chinese textures that belie any real categorization other than capitalism now weaves a strong strain throughout," Powell said in an opening statement to the committee.
"Our challenge with China is to do what we can that is constructive, that is helpful, and that is in our interests," he said.
"A strategic partner China is not. But neither is China our inevitable and implacable foe," he said. "China is a competitor and a potential regional rival, but also a trading partner willing to cooperate in the areas where our strategic interests overlap.
"China is all of these things, but China is not an enemy and our challenge is to keep it that way," he told the senators.
Meanwhile China urged the incoming Bush administration yesterday to "handle the Taiwan question properly."
"Although China and the United States have differences, mutual interest lies in developing healthy, stable and cooperative relations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao (
"If we deal with our problems, and especially handle the Taiwan question properly, relations will develop in a healthy manner," he said.
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