An official of the US State Department reiterated on Friday that
the United States insists on the long-term one-China policy and
does not support Taiwan independence.
The official said that sticking points in relations between Taiwan
and the Chinese mainland should be handled and resolved by people
from both sides of the Taiwan Straits.
What concerns the United States is that the Taiwan question be
resolved through peaceful means, the official said in a telephone
interview with Xinhua News
Agency.
In
remarks made on August 3, Chen Shui-bian denied Taiwan is a part of
China, saying that the two sides of the Straits are two equal
sovereign nations; in other words that "each side is a country." He
also called for legislation on a referendum to decide the future of
the island in a bid to split China.
Pakistan, in response to the separatist-minded remarks, reaffirmed
on Saturday that it believes in the one-China policy.
A
Foreign Office spokesman said in a press release that Pakistan
believes in the one-China policy, under which Taiwan is an
inalienable part of the People's Republic of China.
The spokesman said that Pakistan also holds that the government of
the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government
representing the whole of China, including both the mainland and
Taiwan.
The Chinese communities in Wellington, New Zealand, yesterday
condemned Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's remarks and expressed firm
support for China's reunification cause.
At
a forum held yesterday, representatives of six local Chinese
organizations lashed out at Chen's statement. They stressed that it
is the duty of overseas Chinese in every corner of the world to
prevent Chen's plot of realizing Taiwan independence.
In
a statement, they expressed their worry and indignation over Chen's
words and deeds.
There is only one China in the world, the statement said, adding
that those who take action towards Taiwan independence are doomed
to failure and will be condemned by history.
(China
Daily August 12, 2002)