Beijing has to send tougher warnings to the Taiwan authorities
as the situation across the Taiwan Straits has entered a "highly
dangerous period", President Hu Jintao told his US counterpart George W.
Bush yesterday.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the annual economic
leaders' meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
forum in Australia.
"This year and next year are going to be a highly dangerous
period for the situation in the Taiwan Straits," Hu said.
Regardless of warnings from different quarters, the island
authorities have flagrantly pursued secessionist activities, such
as proposing a "referendum on UN membership" and "seeking to join
the UN under the name of Taiwan".
"We must issue harsher warnings to the Taiwan authorities that
any secessionist attempt aimed at 'Taiwan independence' in any form
will be doomed," Hu said.
Bush said Washington firmly adheres to the one-China policy,
observes the three US-China joint communiques and opposes any
unilateral act to change the status quo across the Taiwan
Straits.
The US fully understands China's concerns on the issue, he
said.
On Taiwan's "referendum on UN membership", Bush said US Deputy
Secretary of State John Negroponte had promptly and clearly stated
the US government's opposition to the move by the Taiwan
authorities.
In an interview with Hong Kong's Phoenix TV, Negroponte called
the referendum attempt a "mistake" and "a step toward a declaration
of 'Taiwan independence' and toward an alteration of the status
quo".
The US will continue to pay attention to the issue and maintain
close communication with China regarding the matter, he added.
During the one-and-half-hour meeting, the two sides exchanged
views on issues ranging from trade and global climate change to the
Iran nuclear issue and the situation in the Darfur region of
Sudan.
Hu said that it has been proved that China and the United States
are joint stakeholders in global affairs and cooperate
constructively.
He described the talks as "candid and friendly", saying both
sides expressed the desire to work toward further development of
commercial ties.
Hu said it is natural for the two sides to encounter some
commercial disputes as Sino-US trade has been growing fast; and
reiterated the importance China attaches to safety and quality of
goods made in the country.
Hu said China follows a highly responsible approach toward
product safety and is making every effort to ensure quality.
Bush said he appreciated China's efforts, adding that the US is
opposed to trade protectionism and should not set obstacles to
bilateral trade.
After the meeting, Bush said he and his family would attend the
2008 Beijing Olympics at Hu's invitation, which was
extended during yesterday's talks.
Bush, who last visited China in 2005, said he had eagerly
accepted the offer.
"He extended an invitation to me, Laura and our family to come
to the Olympics, and, of course, I was anxious to accept," Bush
said.
(China Daily September 7 2007)
