Taiwan Leader's Remarks Could Lead to Crisis: Experts

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, August 06, 2002

Taiwan Leader's Remarks Could Lead to Crisis: Experts

Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian is pushing cross-Straits relations to an "explosive crisis'' through his provocative moves against the mainland, leading experts on Taiwan studies warned Monday.

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Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian is pushing cross-Straits relations to an "explosive crisis'' through his provocative moves against the mainland, leading experts on Taiwan studies warned Monday.

"We have yet to know exactly when and where the crisis will break out, but it is getting quite clear that Chen is moving the island closer and closer to that point,'' said Li Jiaquan, a senior researcher with the Institute of Taiwan Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

``The possibility (for the mainland) to take drastic measures to fight radical separatist activities cannot be ruled out although the use of force serves only as the last resort.''

China does not undertake to renounce the use of force

Beijing proposes to settle the Taiwan question through peaceful means but, at the same time, does not undertake to renounce the use of force to deter any act to move the island towards independence.

Li said nobody should underestimate the Chinese Government's determination to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The researcher made the remarks after Chen called for a referendum on Taiwan's future and preached that ``each side (of the Taiwan Straits) is a country'' on Saturday.

Chen's incendiary move is more than just a voting strategy aimed at wooing die-hard pro-independence voters in the year-end mayoral elections in Taipei and Kaohsiung, Li said.

``His performance over the past two years in office has fully demonstrated that adherence to Taiwan independence is deep-rooted in Chen's heart despite his so-called goodwill gestures towards the mainland,'' he said.

Professor Fan Xizhou, of the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, said after doubling as chairman of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Chen has deliberately moved his stance from ``secretive independence'' to ``overt independence.''

The DPP is used to winning benefits from political chaos in elections by triggering ethnic strife on the island and inflaming tensions in cross-Straits ties, the professor said.

``But if the party wants to play political gimmicks time and again by sacrificing cross-Straits ties, it is just seeking temporary relief regardless of the consequences and will lead the party down a road of no return,'' Fan said.

In another development, Ma Man Kei, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said in Macao that Chen Shui-bian was provoking all Chinese in advocating the ``two countries'' fallacy.

Taiwan independence will definitely do harm to across-Straits ties

Chen's position to cling to Taiwan independence, which is the same as the ``state-to-state'' statement masterminded by his predecessor Lee Teng-hui, will definitely do harm to relations across the Taiwan Straits, Ma said in an interview with Xinhua Monday.

The Taiwan leader's statement of ``both sides are countries'' proved that his commitment of not seeking Taiwan independence in his inauguration speech was merely an expedient measure aimed at deceiving people in Taiwan and world opinion, said Ma.

``Macao compatriots will never tolerate any separatist activities by a small force in Taiwan,'' he said.

Hong Kong and Macao's return to the motherland proved that the ``one country, two systems'' principle works, he noted.

Only through peaceful reunification can Taiwan compatriots enjoy everlasting peace and the Taiwan economy achieve greater space for expansion, he said.

Ma urged Chen and other separatist forces in Taiwan to ``rein in at the brink of the precipice'' and not take one step further down a road that only separates China.

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