DATE=3/15/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA - ZHU  (L)
NUMBER=2-260207
BYLINE=STEPHANIE MANN
DATELINE=BEIJING
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji says Beijing will 
never tolerate Taiwan's independence and he has warned 
Taiwan's voters to keep that in mind when they cast 
ballots for a new president, Saturday.  At a Beijing 
news conference, the Chinese leader also called on the 
United States to stop threatening China over the 
Taiwan issue, as V-O-A Correspondent Stephanie Mann 
reports.  

TEXT:  Premier Zhu Rongji says voters on Taiwan should 
cast their ballots wisely.  He says they should not 
act on impulse at what the Chinese leader called this 
critical juncture in Taiwan's history.  Mr. Zhu says, 
otherwise, the people of Taiwan may not have an 
opportunity later to regret their choice.  

The premier's words are seen as a warning that voters 
should not cast their ballots for opposition candidate 
Chen Shui-bian, whose party has advocated 
independence, in the past.  

Mr. Zhu repeated China's position that it favors the 
peaceful reunification of Taiwan with the mainland.  
But, he also said Taiwan will never be allowed to be 
independent. 

Speaking through a translator, Mr. Zhu said "no Taiwan 
independence" is the bottom line, and it is the will 
of one-point-two-five billion Chinese people.

            // ZHU / TRANSLATOR ACTUALITY //

The Chinese people will use all their blood and even 
sacrifice their lives to defend the unity of our 
motherland and also the dignity of the Chinese nation. 

            // END ACTUALITY // 

// OPT // Premier Zhu says whoever pursues Taiwan  
independence will come to no good end.  However, he 
said China will support and talk with whoever embraces 
the concept of "one China."  // END OPT //

Without naming the United States, the Chinese premier 
accused some people in what he called "a particular 
country" of using the Taiwan issue to threaten China.  
He says those people have always seen China as a 
potential enemy and they would like to drag out, 
indefinitely, the resolution of the Taiwan issue. 

At one point in the news conference, Premier Zhu spoke 
in English and referred to a recent speech by 
President Clinton about the tension over the Taiwan 
issue.  Mr. Zhu first repeated Mr. Clinton's words.

            // ZHU ACTUALITY IN ENGLISH // 

There must be a shift from threat to dialogue across 
the Taiwan Straits. 

            // END ACTUALITY //

Then, Mr. Zhu said two words should be changed to make 
Mr. Clinton's words more accurate.

// ZHU ACTUALITY in ENGLISH //

There must be a shift from threat to dialogue across 
the Pacific Ocean. 

            // END ACTUALITY //

When asked if China plans any military exercises in 
the few days leading up to the Taiwan election, 
Premier Zhu said "wait and see," adding that people 
should not worry.

Mr. Zhu also dismissed western military analysts who 
say China lacks enough aircraft and missiles to 
succeed in an attack against Taiwan.  (Signed) 

NEB/SMN/WD



15-Mar-2000 07:43 AM EDT (15-Mar-2000 1243 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.