The Taiwan question topped the agenda as US National Security
Council Adviser Condoleezza Rice met Chinese leaders in Beijing
during a 24-hour visit.
During talks with Rice, Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing strongly urged the United States to realize the
sensitivity of the Taiwan question and seriousness of the
situation, said a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman.
Li said stability of Sino-US relations depends on whether the
Taiwan question can be solved properly, urging the United States to
strictly observe the principles of the three joint communiques
between the two and to stop selling advanced arms equipment to
Taiwan.
In a separated meeting, Jiang
Zemin, chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission told
Rice that the US's recent activities on the Taiwan question,
particularly a move to sell advanced weapons to Taiwan, deeply
concerned and dissatisfied Chinese people, said a Foreign Ministry
source.
China's sovereignty and territorial integrity are paramount,
Jiang said. He reiterated Chinese Government's stance to adhere to
the basic principle of peaceful reunification and "one country, two
systems."
The Chinese people long for peace and do not want war, Jiang
said, but noting that Taiwan independence will never be
tolerated.
"If the Taiwan authority goes its own way towards Taiwan
independence, and if foreign forces step in, we will never sit by
and watch," Jiang was quoted by foreign ministry source as
saying.
Rice said US President George W. Bush attaches much importance
to US-China ties. Specific issues such as trade and economics,
non-proliferation, and the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula
are particularly important.
On the Taiwan question, Rice said the United States understands
China's concern on the issue and does not want to see conflict in
the Taiwan Straits region, adding that the president's stance of
support for the one-China principle -- not supporting any
unilateral change to the straits status quo -- is steadfast.
Beijing-based observers said the visit paid by Rice, the "steel
magnolia" in the White House, is an unusual occasion for she has
rarely visited Asia independently before.
Analysts said she might come up with security proposals for
Northeast Asia, especially the nuclear issue on the Korean
Peninsula.
Fan Jishe, a senior international relations researcher with the
think-tank Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the Bush
administration hoped to score points ahead of the presidential
election in November by acting on the nuclear issue.
The parties involved in the China-sponsored six party talks
include the Democratic People's of Korea, the United States,
Republic of Korea (ROK), Russia and Japan. All have agreed to a
fourth round of talks by the end of September.
Fan also said that compared with the rapid development of
relations between China and the European Union, there are more
strategic consideration for the United States to enhance
co-ordination with China, the growing power in the region.
"Rice's visit will stir up the bilateral ties," the expert
said.
Rice is the first woman to serve as national security adviser
since the post was created by President Harry Truman. No other, in
the history of that office, has been this close to the US
president. Analysts said it is understandable why Bush send her to
Northeast Asia before the election.
China is the second leg of Rice's Asian tour, following Japan
and followed by the ROK.
(China Daily July 9, 2004)
