DATE=3/10/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-US-TAIWAN (L)
NUMBER=2-260054
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:


INTRO:  China is blaming the United States for 
inflaming tensions over Taiwan by selling the island 
weapons.  VOA Correspondent Roger Wilkison reports  
Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan says China's relations 
with both the United States and Taiwan are now at what 
he calls a critical juncture. 


TEXT:  At a news conference in connection with the 
annual session of China's legislature, Mr. Tang said 
China would have reunited with Taiwan long ago had 
Washington not given military support to the island.  
Speaking through an interpreter, Mr. Tang called the 
51-year split between China and Taiwan the result of 
an unfinished civil war.  And he blamed the United 
States for interfering in China's internal affairs by 
helping the island.

/////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////

What it has done on the question of Taiwan has 
inflated the arrogance of the separatist forces in 
Taiwan.  Therefore, the United States bears 
unshakeable responsibility for the tension in the 
Taiwan Straits.

/////END ACTUALITY/////

Mr. Tang says Washington's arms sales to Taiwan have 
increased both in terms of quantity and quality in 
violation of three Sino-US agreements.  Those accords 
specify that the United States will gradually reduce 
and eventually halt weapons sales to the island.  But 
a 1979 Act of Congress stipulates that Washington will 
provide defensive weapons to Taiwan.

The Chinese foreign minister blasted Washington for 
proposing the sale of Hawk anti-aircraft missiles to 
Taiwan as well as equipment to upgrade an out-of-date 
radar system.  He says China has officially protested 
the proposed transfer.

Mr. Tang also urges Washington to tread carefully in 
its future dealings with Taiwan.

/////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////

Both Sino-U-S relations and cross strait relations are 
at a critical juncture.  Here I would advise the 
Americans to recognize that what the U-S says and does 
on the question of Taiwan will have a direct bearing 
on the future direction of the Sino-U-S relationship.  
It will also directly bear on peace and stability in 
the Taiwan Strait and also in the Asia-Pacific region.

/////END ACTUALITY/////

Taiwan's presidential election is only eight days 
away.  Although he says the contest is only a regional 
election in what is an inalienable part of China, Mr. 
Tang says Beijing is ready to resume negotiations as 
long as the winner does not support Taiwan's formal 
independence.

/////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////

If the new leader in Taiwan has no inclination for 
Taiwan's independence and is genuinely willing to 
restart talks and negotiations with U-S on the basis 
of the one China principle, then we are willing to 
consider that. But if things turn out to be the 
opposite, then I'm afraid the result will be quite 
contrary.

/////END ACTUALITY/////

Tensions between China and Taiwan have risen after 
Beijing threatened to use force against the island if 
it indefinitely rejects China's overtures to enter 
reunification talks.  (SIGNED)


NEB/RW/FC/PLM 



10-Mar-2000 06:42 AM EDT (10-Mar-2000 1142 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.