US urged not to send wrong signal to Taiwan separatists

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, November 27, 2003

US urged not to send wrong signal to Taiwan separatists

A Chinese official on Wednesday urged the United States not to send any "messages" which might be interpreted as encouragement to pro-independence and separatist forces in Taiwan.

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A Chinese official on Wednesday urged the United States not to send any "messages" which might be interpreted as encouragement to pro-independence and separatist forces in Taiwan.

"Such messages will be no good for the de velopment of cross-strait ties, the stability of Sino-US ties and the reunification of China," said Zhang Mingqing, a spokesman of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

Responding to questions at a regular press conference, the spokesman said China hopes the United States would truly adhere to the "One China" policy, promote Sino-US relations on the basis of three Sino-US joint communiques, and never send wrong messages to pro-independence and separatist forces in Taiwan.

Quoting Premier Wen Jiabao, the spokesman said: "the Chinese people will pay any price to safeguard the unity of the motherland". The premier made the remarks during a recent interview given to Leonard Downie, executive editor of The Washington Post on Nov. 21in Beijing.

"The words by Premier Wen Jiabao represents the firm faith and aspiration of the Chinese government and the people in the fight against Taiwan independence," said the spokesman.

Taiwan warned of grave consequence of independence

The official warned the Chinese mainland would not tolerate continued bid by Taiwan's Chen Shui-bian toward independence, and any attempt to split China would bring disaster to the people of Taiwan.

Zhang said if Taiwan authorities continue to go down along the road of "Taiwan Independence", and push for "Taiwan Independence", it would definitely harm the fundamental interests of the general public in Taiwan and bring disasters to the people of Taiwan.

"We would in no way remain idle on that matter," the spokesman told a regular press conference when asked to comment on the remarks of "'Taiwan Independence' means war".

Mainland seeks Direct charter flights

Meanwhile, the spokesman said that the aviation sector on the Chinese mainland is willing to consult with Taiwan counterparts on the proposed chartered flights across the straits during the coming Chinese lunar New Year holiday beginning on Jan. 22, 2004.

Commenting on reports that Taiwan authorities are considering two-way flights for Taiwan businesspeople on the mainland, Zhang Mingqing, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said the mainland is willing to cooperate if Taiwan authorities meant what they said.

"Our position on direct air links over the Taiwan Straits remains consistent," that cross-strait direction air routes must be "direct, two way and mutually beneficial".

During the Chinese lunar New Year holiday that began on Feb. 1,2003, Taiwan travelers were allowed to purchase a one-way ticket on a chartered plane from the mainland to Taiwan Island, and the passenger plane had to stop in Hong Kong on its way, said the spokesperson.

Zhang said Taiwan businesspeople on the mainland were dissatisfied about the one-way operation, and the mainland airwayswere barred by Taiwan authorities from carrying Taiwan businesspeople on chartered planes.

"But, on a case-by-case principle, we provided all possible convenience for the one-way chartered flights so as to help Taiwanese businesspeople return home for family reunions."

Zhang said the mainland has long expressed its position that the flights should be "two-way and direct" so that more Taiwanese businesspeople can return to Taiwan.

Taiwan authorities have banned direct air, sea and postal linksbetween the two sides of the Taiwan Straits since 1949.

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