US Taiwan policy to become distinct: former ambassador

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, December 05, 2003

US Taiwan policy to become distinct: former ambassador

Former US ambassador Lilley predicted that the United States would work out a clearer policy toward Taiwan in future, and Premier Wen's US visit would help defuse the crisis across the Taiwan Straits and quiet down the trade disputes between the two countries.

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Former US ambassador Lilley analyzed Tuesday that the US Department of State has lately adopted a tougher stance on Taiwan's "referendum", with the intention of declaring Washington's attitude before Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's forthcoming visit to the United States. Lilley predicted that the United States would work out a clearer policy toward Taiwan in future, and Premier Wen's US visit would help defuse the crisis across the Taiwan Straits and quiet down the trade disputes between the two countries.

The US Department of State reiterated on Tuesday that the country opposes any "referendum" held by Taiwan authorities, which was intended to change the status quo and march toward "Taiwan independence". The Bush administration, Lilley said, has felt the need to modify its past deliberately blurred Taiwan policy.

The renewed declaration is just a beginning, Lilley added. On the other hand, America must directly tell Chen Shui-bian that his acts do not tally with the interests between the United States and Taiwan.

During Wen's trip, Bush would reaffirm the "One-China" policy, but there wouldn't be any new breakthrough in formulation. Lilley revealed. For the United States, the most important topic to be discussed is how to improve the situation regarding US-China trade deficit. US recent announcement about setting quotas on China's textiles and the surcharge of import duties on TV sets was designed to call Wen's attention to this problem during his America tour.

Lilley expressed the belief that both China and the United States deem it necessary to make the visit a success.

By PD Online staff Li Heng

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