China ruled out direct trade links with Taiwan yesterday unless Taipei recognized its "one China" principle, but gave a cautious welcome to moves by Taiwan to promote economic integration.
In its most emphatic response to a proposal by the Economic Development Advisory Conference for talks on opening direct trade, transport and postal ties, the official Xinhua news agency said the "one China" principle was not negotiable.
"Our principles for pushing forward the `three links' are `one China,' direct, two-way and mutually beneficial," Xinhua said in an editorial. "This will not change."
The editorial noted the conference failed to recommend Taipei return to what Beijing believes was a cross-strait consensus in 1992 to acknowledge "one China," a step that opened the door to historic talks between the two sides.
"If they think they can avoid the `one China' principle and the `1992 consensus' by just talking about economic problems, this is not realistic and not will not succeed," it said.
The economic forum recommended Taipei hold talks with Beijing on re-opening direct links within the framework of the WTO; called for the scrapping of a US$50 million cap on Taiwan investment projects in China and for a reversal of the "no haste, be patient" policy in favor of "active opening, effective management."
It also urged a change in policy to allow Taiwan banks to open branches in China.
Xinhua welcomed the proposals, saying they showed that opening direct trade links "accorded with the feelings of the people and the general trend of events" on Taiwan.
"If there can be no direct links across the Strait, it will only harm the broad masses and business people of Taiwan and affect the competitiveness of Taiwan's economy," it said.
The China Daily, the main English-language newspaper, also said in an editorial the proposals contained some "positive changes," but added that direct links would remain uncertain unless Taipei recognized "one China."
China's Foreign Ministry, Foreign Trade Ministry and State Council, or Cabinet, have so far declined to comment.
A high-ranking government official from the Mainland Affairs Council, who wished to remain anonymous, said that China should not expect a political response from Taiwan to any comments it makes about the conference's proposals.
"We held the [conference] for economic purposes and we have addressed our political stance very clearly," the official said.
Jan Jyh-horng (
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