DATE=2/24/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA - U-S - TAIWAN (L)
NUMBER=2-259509
BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:  China is telling the United States to mind its 
own business on the issue of Taiwan, an island Beijing 
regards as a breakaway part of Chinese territory.  As 
V-O-A's Stephanie Ho reports from Beijing, Washington 
has said it views any threat to Taiwan with grave 
concern.

TEXT:  Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhu Bangzao 
expressed what he described as Beijing's strong 
dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to any U-S 
interference on the issue of Taiwan.

He said the Chinese government sees Taiwan as a 
strictly internal matter.  Mr. Zhu, speaking through 
an interpreter, added a warning that foreign 
countries, including the United States, should not get 
involved.

// ZHU INTERPRETER ACT //
They might well forget the fact that Taiwan is a part 
of China.  The question of Taiwan is not an affair of 
the United States.
// END ACT //

On Monday, China issued what it dubbed a "White 
Paper," repeating Beijing's strident warnings to 
Taiwan not to seek independence.

The White House responded, saying it is gravely 
concerned about any threats to the island.

On Thursday, the Chinese spokesman accused Washington 
of violating the agreements on Taiwan it made with 
Beijing.  He also lashed out at continued U-S arms 
sales to the island and the U-S Congressional effort 
to pass the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act.

Mr. Zhu said that instead of facilitating Taiwan's 
peaceful reunification with mainland China, such U-S 
acts actually encourage pro-independence sentiment 
from the island's president.

// ZHU INTERPRETER ACT //
All this gives rise to Lee Teng-hui and the splittist 
activities on the Taiwan island.  And it is the major 
root cause of the tension across the Taiwan Strait.
// END ACT //

Analysts say Beijing's perceived threat to Taiwan has 
given new ammunition to China critics in the U-S 
Congress, who want to boost military ties with Taiwan 
and derail a deal to bring China into the World Trade 
Organization.

One major W-T-O hurdle still remaining for China is a 
U-S Congressional vote on permanent normal trading 
relations with the United States.  

When asked whether Beijing is concerned that its tough 
talk on Taiwan will negatively affect the outcome, Mr. 
Zhu said his government opposes any attempt to link 
these two separate issues.  (signed)

NEB/HO/PLM



24-Feb-2000 05:33 AM EDT (24-Feb-2000 1033 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.