Singapore regrets Taiwan's move on unification council
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Singapore regrets Taiwan's move on unification council, guidelines: FM
A spokesman from Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret at Taiwan's move on the "National Unification Council (NUC)" and the "National Unification Guidelines" in a statement Monday.
"It will raise concerns about Taiwan's intentions and it is not conducive to the maintenance of stable cross-strait relations," the spokesman said in response to media queries.
He reiterated that Singapore has a one-China policy and is opposed to any unilateral move to change the status quo across the Taiwan Straits.
Taiwan authority leader Chen Shui-bian announced in Taipei Monday afternoon a decision to stop the operation of the "National Unification Council" and application of the "National Unification Guidelines".
The action was strongly opposed and criticized by both senior officials in the Chinese mainland and Taiwan's major parties, including Chinese Kuomintang, the People First Party and Non-Partisan Solidarity Union.
On May 20, 2000, Chen promised not to declare "Taiwan Independence," not to incorporate the "two states" idea into the "constitution," not to change the so-called "country's name," not to hold a "referendum" on "Taiwan Independence," and not to abolish the "NUC" and the "National Unification Guidelines."
The "NUC" was established in 1990 by the Taiwan authorities headed by Lee Teng-hui, and fourteen meetings had been held since its establishment. However, no "NUC" meeting has been held since Chen Shui-bian became Taiwan leader.
The "National Unification Guidelines" were issued in 1991, saying both the mainland and Taiwan are under the sovereignty of China and promoting the country's reunification should be the common task of all Chinese. The guidelines also outlined a three-phase goal for the realization of China's reunification. -
no gurantee mainland will not unify taiwan before 2008 Olympic.
The leaders of mainland make decisions not what they think fit,but rather
depends on what other leaders think fit.
Who are the real leaders in mainland?No body knows.
Politics is higher than everthings,incl billions of dollars in Olympic.
Chen scrap this council which budget is only S$50,yes US$30 per year.
The council cant function any more and Chen still scrap it.
Mainland loss face in this act and signal the intention of Chen.
Whatever will be ,will be.
one mainland official hinted US suppoted this move behind the screen
in Chinese. -
Taiwan thinks that china will not touch taiwan before the 2008 Olympics so he takes a gamble
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chen is dere, peace has left, if chen is down, den peace will come back.......
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hmm.. I think its mainly a political move to win support from the pro-independence electorate, and also partially because of his pro-independence ideals.
I think Chen is making a grave mistake when he thinks China will not attack before the 2008 Olympics. Looking back in history, the former Soviet Union did attack Afganistan in support of its local communist party in 1979, despite preparing for the 1980 Moscow Olympics. I remember that year US and many of its allies boycotted the Olympics. Furthermore, whether China's leaders like it or not, they will go to war if Taiwan declares independence because they are bound by their own anti-succession law passed in Beijing last year.
No doubt China will suffer economically if it goes into war, but it does not mean that China cannot finance a war. I mean, while preparing for Olympics, China still has money to invest in its manned space programme.
I think the ultimate sufferer of all these is Singapore. Political-economic ties with these 3 countries, China, Taiwan and US is very important to us. If conflict eventually breaks out in Taiwan strait, which side can Singapore go? if it sides with US and Taiwan then we lose our economic ties with China's market. If we side with China then our military and economic ties with Taiwan and US also screw up. If we stay neutral than US will no longer regard us as ally, FTA and all economic treaties all kick away. hmm.. big dilemma. -
However, I also think that Chen moves may not be of much substance lah. The opposition KMT has much influence in legislative body, they will block any move for independence, like how they block the purchase of weapons from US...
I think Taiwan current situation is the best: status quo. Just let it be. Now the Taiwanese economy is doing quite well and the people led relatively comfortable and stable lives. Why mess things up? Chen zis big troublemaker! -
President Chen Shui Bian should not do this. This is absolutely uncalled for!
He is "pissing" Beijing off... Even if he is a anti-reunification person.. He should keep quiet and let things be status quo as it does not make any difference to the Taiwan ecnomy and people.
I personally feel that Taiwan is part of the People's Republic Of China. They have no right to declare independence! -
US said the panel
it has not been abolished; it's been frozen.;and said Chen will not
take unilateral action for ten times.
but Chen said the panel ceases to be operational and the policy ceases to be applicable.
Why US tune down the decision or put words into Chen's mouth?
It is dangerous that US pretend deaf or blind to Chen actions.
Or US really interpret Chen in this way or in acting?
Mainland is pleased to have excuse to take actions,at least to hawks
in mainland.
Why medias
view much difference fr US State Dept.BBC & Reuter use scrap;
AFP and Associated Press use abolish & terminate
Shall the reporters of all international medias or the US State Dept
spokeman need to be re-trained??
Listen for urself what he said.
2.Originally posted by cheem-.-:
Damn right to read history .Be prepared STimes shock u in the news.
I think Chen is making a grave mistake when he thinks China will not attack before the 2008 Olympics. Looking back in history, the former Soviet Union did attack Afganistan in support of its local communist party in 1979, despite preparing for the 1980 Moscow Olympics. I remember that year US and many of its allies boycotted the Olympics.
Mainland just declare the area surrounding Taiwan are military ex area
all ships,aeroplanes cannot pass,
What happen--the VVVIP in Taiwan will take the first plane,
NT$ and stock market crash....
3.
But after Soviet tanks rolled into Afghanistan in 1979, then-U.S. President Carter brought that relationship to the forefront. He called for the U.S. team to boycott the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Is the 2008 game still on? -
Well, at least he did not get someone to shoot him this time round.
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Got a question for the forum, do you think that the world is ready to turn a blind eye if China invades? Considering the sheer potential of the Chinese market and the amount of investments put in place by western firms in China.
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maybe if u look at it in this way: almost all countries in this world recognises the One-China Policy thing n onli 25 countries in this world recognises taiwan as an independent state......n these 25 countries are those small pacific island countries which are relatively unknown to pple......yeap.............even the United States of America recognise the One China Policy thing so when a war starts bewteen china n taiwan, US might not interfere, though it has always side taiwan........Originally posted by Quincey:Got a question for the forum, do you think that the world is ready to turn a blind eye if China invades? Considering the sheer potential of the Chinese market and the amount of investments put in place by western firms in China. -
If US strikes Mainland China,
China will respond with nukes
High chances that US won't help at all -
probably worsen the situation and may be the start of WWIII......Originally posted by maggot:If US strikes Mainland China,
China will respond with nukes
High chances that US won't help at all -
taiwan is not even recognised as a soverign state, even in the olympics it participates under the name "chinese taipei". if china attacks taiwan, doesn't that mean it will be considered a domestic conflict in which foreign intervention is unjustified?
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Somehow the clock starts to tickOriginally posted by hiphop2009:probably worsen the situation and may be the start of WWIII......
Taiwan, N Korea, Middle East but still not enough for WW3
But IMO I think once the bird flu epidemic starts chances for WW3 will be high as there is mass chaos. To conquer the world will be easy -
the Beijing Summer Olympic Games to be held August 8-24, 2008.Still get 890 days to go.
Somethings happen still have time to recify or time to forget. -
I believe otherwise.Taiwan has been de facto independent in all aspects but name.Originally posted by free thinker:President Chen Shui Bian should not do this. This is absolutely uncalled for!
He is "pissing" Beijing off... Even if he is a anti-reunification person.. He should keep quiet and let things be status quo as it does not make any difference to the Taiwan ecnomy and people.
I personally feel that Taiwan is part of the People's Republic Of China. They have no right to declare independence!
I'm for the safeguarding of one more Chinese democracy. -
Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) leader Ma Ying-jeou will make a move to recall President Chen Shui-bian, Ma's spokeswoman said yesterday, following Chen's announcement that a council for charting unification with the mainland will be scrapped.
KMT spokeswoman Cheng Li-wen said Ma made this decision during a high ranking summit held by his party to discuss Chen's latest move.
Chen's eliminating of the National Unification Council (NUC) and its guidelines for national unification is likely to trigger new tensions in the Taiwan Strait, angering Beijing and worrying Washington.
"KMT chairman Ma Ying-jeou thinks President Chen has not only set a time table for extreme independence ... but has also taken concrete actions," Cheng told reporters.
"(Ma thinks) this seriously damages the status quo and is a threat to the national interest," she said.
Abolishing the NUC arguably violates one of five promises Chen made in his first inaugural speech, known as his "five noes" policy. The "five noes" policy includes a promise not to scrap the NUC provided China does not use military force.
Chen's aides have argued that China's escalating military build-up is a show of force destroying the premise of his original promise.
Cheng said the KMT thought otherwise.
"The 'five noes policy' is the most important foundation for maintaining the status quo," she said.
"Terminating the national unification guidelines puts the other 'four noes' promises on the brink of collapse," she said.
Besides a promise not to scrap the NUC and its guidelines, the "five noes" policy also includes promises such as not changing the island's official name to "Taiwan," a move that would provoke Beijing to invade the island.
Beijing has threatened to invade Taiwan if it moves towards de jure independence. The U.S., Taiwan's largest ally, is legally bound to come to the island's rescue in the event of an unprovoked attack.
Cheng said U.S. promises to protect Taiwan from an unprovoked attack from China were not a "blank check." Washington had said many times that Taiwan could not provoke changes to the status quo, she said.
"President Chen and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government must shoulder the full blame for.. these serious irresponsible actions," she said.
"President Chen... goes against the mainstream of public opinion," she said.
Cheng also accused Chen of stirring up antagonistic feelings between independence supporters and supporters of unification by making his announcement on the eve of an anniversary marking a 1947 massacre of local Taiwanese by mainland troops.
"(Chen's) move will make the international community think we are trouble makers and we will not gain its sympathy," Cheng said.
"Taiwan will face even more boycotts as a result," she said.
She said the KMT had made preparations to recall Chen and had already negotiated the issue with other opposition parties.
Ma, who is also the popular mayor of Taipei, is widely viewed to be the opposition's likely contender for presidential elections in two years time.
Cheng accused Chen of ignoring important social problems such as suicide, unemployment and corruption.
Ma also earlier told reporters Chen had misplaced priorities in stoking such a controversial issue when the nation faced many economic problems.
"The president has the wrong priority in setting his political agenda," Ma said.
"The public hopes that the president will refocus on what he should do.
"If he insists on going down the controversial path, history will record it," Ma said.
The NUC, set up by the former KMT administration in 1990, sets the stage for eventual unification with China. After taking office in 2000, Chen sidelined the NUC and did not convene any NUC meetings.
All three opposition parties -- which together hold a majority in the legislature -- are opposed to Chen's move to scrap the government body.
In a news conference in the legislature before Chen made the announcement, the KMT, People First Party (PFP) and Non-Partisan Solidarity Union (NPSU) whips said they could take drastic steps -- such as boycotting the legislature, calling for a referendum on whether to abolish the guidelines, organizing national protests and pushing for a recall of the president.
KMT lawmaker Tseng Yung-chuan, the director of the KMT Policy Coordination Committee, said Premier Su Tseng-chang needed to brief the legislature on his administration's major policies, including scrapping the NUC.
"The premier should be accountable to the legislature," Tseng said.
PFP whip Lee Hung-chun said he thought Su, who is viewed to be a likely DPP presidential contender in the 2008 election, was trying to keep away from the controversy.
"Su needs to take responsibility for government decisions," Lee said.
The NPSU also condemned Chen scrapping the NUC.
"The president is plunging the country and its people into danger by doing away with the guidelines, angering Beijing for his personal political purposes," said NPSU law maker Kao Chin Su-mei.
Recalling the president involves strict legal procedures and requires the approval of over two thirds of the legislature.
KMT officials said even an unsuccessful recall could tarnish Chen's reputation. The move would make Chen Taiwan's first president to be targeted by a recall motion. -
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (”n‰p‹ã) has said he will convey the stance of what he described as the "mainstream view" of Taiwanese people to maintain the cross-strait "status quo" to US officials when he visits the US next month.
Ma made the remarks during an interview with the Lianhe Zaobao, a Chinese-language newspaper in Singapore, which carried the interview in yesterday's edition.
On President Chen Shui-bian's (’Â�…�G) announcement a day earlier that the National Unification Council (NUC) would "cease to function," Ma warned that Taiwan might be "too optimistic" if its damage assessment is based on the initial, seemingly moderate responses of China and the US to the decision.
`Rocked relations'
Chen's decision has impacted on the mutual trust between Taiwan and the US and has rocked the triangular strategic relationship between Taiwan, China and the US, according to Ma.
The decision has "driven Taiwan and the US apart, but pushed China and the US closer," Ma claimed, adding that this was the price that Taiwan will have to pay in the long run.
Ma said the most important role he and his allies in the opposition camp can play is to express the voice of the "mainstream" of Taiwan and to arouse the concern of the international community.
He said that when he starts his visit to the US on March 19, he will communicate with the US and explain his party's stance, which is that the mainstream view of Taiwan supports "maintaining the status quo." He said he would also try to "mend Taiwan-US relations."
First step
Talking about any possible follow-up action by China, Ma said that judging from its remarks, Beijing seems to have defined Chen's move as "the first step toward Taiwan independence."
Ma said he assumed that Washington and Beijing are continuing bilateral communication and that developments during a meeting between US President George W. Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao (ŒÓ‹ÑŸ·) in Washington in April will be a focus of attention.
Although Chen's decision has thrown new uncertainty into cross-strait relations, the KMT will follow an agreement reached between former KMT chairman Lien Chan (˜A�D) and Hu when Lien visited China in April last year to continue to promote cross-strait peace and prosperity, Ma said.
Ma also said that he has no plans to visit China in the near future. -
CHINA has asked the United States to honor its commitments on Taiwan after Monday's controversial actions by the island's leader.
The United States should make substantial efforts to oppose "Taiwan independence" and not send any wrong signals to Taiwan secessionists, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a news conference yesterday in Beijing.
"We have noticed that the spokesman for the US government has reaffirmed that the United States adheres to the one-China policy and opposes 'Taiwan independence,"' Liu said.
"I hope the United States can make joint efforts with us in safeguarding China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Liu said.
Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian announced on Monday a decision to put an end to the "National Unification Council" and the "National Unification Guidelines." Chen's action was strongly criticized by senior officials on the Chinese mainland and in Taiwan's major parties, including the Chinese Kuomintang, the People First Party and the Non-Partisan Solidarity Union.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan said on Monday that America's one-China policy "remains based on the Three Communiques, the Taiwan Relations Act and our belief that there should be no unilateral change in the status quo."
The "National Unification Council" was established in 1990 by the Taiwan authorities, and 14 meetings have been held since then. But no "NUC" session has occurred since Chen Shui-bian became Taiwan's leader.
The "National Unification Guidelines" were issued in 1991, saying the mainland and Taiwan are under the sovereignty of China and that their reunification should be the common task of all Chinese. -
I really wish Singapore will stop taking sides in sensitive issues like cross-straits relations.. Better to not get involved otherwise we'll get condemned again by the Taiwanese, like what happened the last time round (which even involved the use of vulgarities hurled at us from some taiwanese politician).
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Singapore regrets Taiwan's move on unification council, guidelines: FMOriginally posted by cornyfish2000:I really wish Singapore will stop taking sides in sensitive issues like cross-straits relations.. Better to not get involved otherwise we'll get condemned again by the Taiwanese, like what happened the last time round (which even involved the use of vulgarities hurled at us from some taiwanese politician).
A spokesman from Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret at Taiwan's move on the "National Unification Council (NUC)" and the "National Unification Guidelines" in a statement Monday.
"It will raise concerns about Taiwan's intentions and it is not conducive to the maintenance of stable cross-strait relations," the spokesman said in response to media queries. He reiterated that Singapore has a one-China policy and is opposed to any unilateral move to change the status quo across the Taiwan Straits.
Taiwan authority leader Chen Shui-bian announced in Taipei Monday afternoon a decision to stop the operation of the "National Unification Council" and application of the "National Unification Guidelines".
The action was strongly opposed and criticized by both senior officials in the Chinese mainland and Taiwan's major parties, including Chinese Kuomintang, the People First Party and Non-Partisan Solidarity Union.
On May 20, 2000, Chen promised not to declare "Taiwan Independence," not to incorporate the "two states" idea into the "constitution," not to change the so-called "country's name," not to hold a "referendum" on "Taiwan Independence," and not to abolish the "NUC" and the "National Unification Guidelines."
The "NUC" was established in 1990 by the Taiwan authorities headed by Lee Teng-hui, and fourteen meetings had been held since its establishment. However, no "NUC" meeting has been held since Chen Shui-bian became Taiwan leader.
The "National Unification Guidelines" were issued in 1991, saying both the mainland and Taiwan are under the sovereignty of China and promoting the country's reunification should be the common task of all Chinese. The guidelines also outlined a three-phase goal for the realization of China's reunification. -
if you know the taiwanese, you would have gotten used to their type of vulgarities.Originally posted by cornyfish2000:I really wish Singapore will stop taking sides in sensitive issues like cross-straits relations.. Better to not get involved otherwise we'll get condemned again by the Taiwanese, like what happened the last time round (which even involved the use of vulgarities hurled at us from some taiwanese politician).
we also kenna from mainland China when LHL visited taiwan.
It is ok to talk to either of the brothers as long as we recognise that this is their family affair.
The moment we think that we have the right to help or condemn either one in the name of democracy, then we are getting involved in other family's domestic affair.
Know what is a friendly advice and what is kepo and busybody.
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U.S. officials are becoming increasingly uneasy about the behavior of Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian. A cause for concern was his February 28 decision to shut down the National Unification Council and announce that the unification guidelines Taipei adopted in 1990 would "cease to apply." Chen had telegraphed that step during a speech a month earlier marking the Lunar New Year. In that speech he also outlined two other major tasks for his government in the year ahead-finalizing a new constitution ahead of a national referendum in 2007, and applying to join the United Nations under the name Taiwan (rather than the island's official name, the Republic of China).
All of those positions were certain to infuriate Beijing. One newspaper with close ties to the Chinese leadership described Chen's speech as "a bombshell," and PRC officials soon branded the Taiwanese leader as a "troublemaker" who was raising cross-straits tensions to dangerous levels.
Beijing reiterated its long-standing warning that it would never tolerate the triumph of separatist policies on Taiwan, even if preventing that triumph required using military force. China's reaction to Chen's apparent scrapping of the NUC was equally uncompromising, as PRC President Hu Jintao warned that the Taiwan leader risked "disaster" with such conduct.
Washington has also reacted negatively to Chen's behavior. U.S. officials had already been surprised and alarmed by his address to the nation on January 1, which had seemingly gone out of its way to challenge Beijing. Now, Chen was escalating tensions again.
The U.S. State Department responded to Chen's Lunar New Year's speech with an unusually blunt statement. It stressed that Washington "does not support Taiwan's independence and opposes unilateral changes to the status quo by Taiwan."
Making certain that Taipei got the message, Department spokesman Adam Ereli emphasized that the statement was being made "in the wake of some comments by President Chen" that might be "inflammatory and send the wrong signal." The extent of Washington's irritation with its Taiwanese client was evident when Ereli added that U.S. policymakers "certainly weren't expecting" the speech and "weren't consulted about it." -
I have been visiting a no. of US forums and brought up the Taiwan issue. The bad news is I feel many Americans support Taiwanese independence.
According to some of their forum replies, their beliefs are: China will never invade Taiwan as long as US defends it because US navy is far superior to China. Taiwan is never part of China because the mainland PRC govt never held control over Taiwan. Attacking Taiwan is like the land grab by Iraq over Kuwait and US have to intervene for the sake of "freedom". Taiwan have the right to declare independence just like US did from the Britain in 1776. Some even compared Taiwan-China to Israel-Palestine issue.
I think the US govt supports the one-China principle because it wants to maintain good relations with China as a political partner in internation affairs and break into its market for economic gain. In terms of ideals, I am sure many Americans would love to the see the free Taiwanese rising against the Communist tyrants, esp Bush. Maybe he will start another Operation Taiwanese freedom.