DATE=3/18/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA - TAIWAN ELECTION (L-UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-260324
BYLINE=STEPHANIE MANN
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  China says it will be watching Taiwan's new 
leader to see how he handles relations with the 
mainland.  Beijing reacted late Saturday to the 
election of Chen Shui-bian by saying it will never 
tolerate independence for Taiwan.  V-O-A Correspondent 
Stephanie Mann has more from the Chinese capital.


TEXT:  State-run Chinese news media carried a 
statement by the Taiwan affairs office of the State 
Council, China's cabinet, and by the Taiwan office of 
the Communist Party Central Committee.

The statement does not mention Chen Shui-bian by name 
or say that he was elected president -- only that 
Taiwan has held local elections for a new leader.  It 
says the election results do not change Taiwan's 
status as an inseparable part of China.

It says China will listen to what the new Taiwan 
leader says and watch what he does.  And the statement 
says China will watch were he leads cross-straits 
relations.

The statement repeats Beijing's position that the "one 
China" policy is still the precondition for the 
peaceful reunification of Taiwan with the mainland.  
And it adds that Taiwan's independence will never be 
allowed.

The Chinese statement also appeals to the people of 
Taiwan to help safeguard the territorial integrity of 
China and work toward the country's complete 
reunification.

China has said any talks for reunification must be 
under the formula of "one country-two systems," which 
was the model used for Hong Kong's return to Chinese 
rule.  Mr. Chen has rejected that condition for talks 
with Beijing, but has said he is willing to meet with 
Chinese leaders.

A few weeks before Taiwan's presidential election, 
China issued a white paper outlining its policy on 
Taiwan.  It says it wants the peaceful reunification 
of Taiwan with the mainland, but reserves the right to 
use force.

And the white paper listed three situations that could 
warrant the use of force -- if Taiwan declares 
independence, if foreign forces interfere in Taiwan's 
reuniting with the mainland, or if Taiwan's leaders 
indefinitely delay talks on reunification.

In the days leading up to Saturday's election, Chinese 
officials repeated Beijing's readiness to use force, 
saying Chinese people are prepared to shed their blood 
to achieve reunification.

China's statement reacting to the election made no 
mention of those threats of force.

Western analysts have said China's military is not 
ready to launch a successful full-scale offensive 
against Taiwan.  But they say the way the new Taiwan 
president behaves toward China in the coming weeks 
could determine what steps Beijing will take. (Signed)

NEB/SMN/JP




18-Mar-2000 12:45 PM EDT (18-Mar-2000 1745 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.