DATE=6/20/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-TAIWAN (L)
NUMBER=2-263565
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:


INTRO:  China has turned down an invitation by 
Taiwan's new president for the two cross-strait rivals 
to meet in a summit modeled on last week's historic 
inter-Korean talks.  V-O-A Correspondent Roger 
Wilkison reports Beijing is insisting Taiwan 
acknowledge it is part of China before any such talks 
can be held.


TEXT:  China's reaction to Chen Shui-bian's proposal 
for a cross-strait summit was brief and unsurprising.  
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhu Bangzao -- speaking 
through an interpreter -- says Taiwan's recognition of 
Beijing's cherished "one China" principle must precede 
any talks between the two sides.

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

We ask the Taiwan leaders and authorities to recognize 
the one China principle and to acknowledge that Taiwan 
is part of China and, under this condition, we can 
talk about anything.

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

Mr. Zhu says, if Taiwan adheres to the one China 
principle and acknowledges that the island is part of 
China, then the leaders of the two sides can exchange 
visits.  

President Chen said earlier, in his first news 
conference since being inaugurated last month, that 
this is an age of reconciliation and that the time is 
ripe for a summit between China and Taiwan, which 
split 51 years ago, after a civil war.

Mr. Chen says the two Korea's have taken a historic 
stride forward by holding a first-ever summit last 
week.  So, he asks, why can't China and Taiwan do the 
same thing?

The Taiwanese leader has refused to agree to any pre-
conditions for talks between the two sides.  But China 
insists it will not back down from its stand.

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

This one-China principle is the basis and pre-
condition for achieving peaceful reunification and, on 
this major matter of right and wrong we will not give 
in.

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

Mr. Chen says the United States can play a bigger role 
in improving China-Taiwan relations.  But Chinese 
spokesman Zhu threw dismisses that idea.

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

The question of Taiwan is an internal affair of China.  
The Chinese people are fully capable of handling this 
issue.  It's our view that, on this question, the 
outside world has no right to interfere.

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

Taiwan is expected to be one of the major topics of 
discussion between Chinese leaders and U-S Secretary 
of State Madeleine Albright, who arrives in Beijing 
Thursday.  Mr. Zhu says China wants Washington to halt 
its arms sales to Taiwan and to stop official contacts 
with the island that Beijing regards as an irksome, 
wayward province.  (signed)
NEB/ RW / WD 



20-Jun-2000 05:07 AM EDT (20-Jun-2000 0907 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.