DATE=9/21/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-TAIWAN QUAKE (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254128
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:  China has promised aid to victims of a massive 
earthquake that killed more than 14-hundred people in 
Taiwan early Tuesday.  VOA correspondent Roger 
Wilkison reports Chinese president Jiang Zemin has 
extended his condolences and says Beijing is ready to 
provide whatever assistance is necessary.

TEXT:   A spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry 
says President Jiang is extremely concerned with the 
disaster that struck Taiwan.  Speaking through an 
interpreter, Zhang Qiyue, says Mr. Jiang vowed Beijing 
will provide all assistance within its capabilities to 
lessen the suffering of the victims.

            /// INTERPRETER ACTUALITY ///

      President Jiang Zemin, in his remarks, said that 
      Taiwan compatriots are our compatriots and their 
      sufferings are the concern of all the Chinese 
      people.  We're ready to provide all assistance 
      to mitigate the losses caused by this 
      earthquake.

            /// END ACTUALITY ///

China regards Taiwan as part of its own territory in 
spite of the island's 50 years of de facto 
independence.  Beijing has vowed to invade Taiwan if 
it moves to declare formal independence.  But Ms. 
Zhang says the earthquake and the cross-strait dispute 
are two separate matters.  Whereas China usually 
protests strongly if a country that recognizes Beijing 
makes any kind of official contact with Taiwan, Ms. 
Zhang indicated that policy does not apply to 
earthquake relief.

            /// INTERPRETER ACTUALITY ///

      With regard to international non-governmental 
      and some governmental organizations' assistance 
      provided to Taiwan and the expressions and the 
      messages, we express our gratitude.

            /// END ACTUALITY ///

The foreign ministry spokeswoman says the semi-
official Chinese agency that deals with cross-strait 
relations and the Chinese Red Cross have asked their 
Taiwanese counterparts to provide information on what 
kind of assistance is needed.  Beijing's official 
Xinhua news agency says the Chinese Red Cross is ready 
to give 100-thousand dollars in funds and 40-thousand 
dollars in materials to the quake victims.

It is  not  clear whether the Taiwanese government 
will accept Beijing's offer of assistance.  Taiwan 
bans any direct cross-strait transportation links 
between the island and China.   (Signed) 

NEB/RW/FC/LTD/KL




21-Sep-1999 07:19 AM EDT (21-Sep-1999 1119 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.