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01/30/1996 Chinese premier promotes reunification with Taiwan
Warns foreign forces to keep out of process
01/25/1996 Taiwan upset over report of possible attack by China

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Chinese premier promotes reunification with Taiwan
Warns foreign forces to keep out of process

January 30, 1996 Web posted at: 12:30 p.m.

From Correspondent Andrea Koppel

BEIJING (CNN)--Chinese Premier Li Peng in a speech Tuesday said the future of Taiwan lay in peaceful reunification with mainland China, and he warned "foreign forces" not to "interfere" with the process.

Li's speech reiterated China's long-held position toward Taiwan, placing the blame for worsening ties on Taipei officials whom he accused of seeking independence.

Although Li gave no timetable for reunification, he made it clear that it would, without a doubt, occur as CNN's Andrea Koppel reports.

The speech marked the first anniversary of a keynote address by President Jiang Zemin on Taiwan relations. But rather than try to spook Taiwan with threats, Li directed his strongest criticism toward "foreign forces," warning those "who attempt to interfere with China's reunification" not to meddle in Chinese affairs.

In recent months American scholars and diplomats have received strong messages from Beijing not to encourage Taiwan and its president, Lee Teng-hui, in their collective effort to gain international recognition--in this case a seat in the United Nations.

China repeatedly has asked the United States not to invite Taiwan officials to Washington. But so far, Washington has refused to give in to those demands. U.S. officials welcomed Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui during his visit last June.

In his speech, Premier Li wanted to make sure that the U.S. Congress does not invite Taiwan's newly-elected president, most likely Lee, to visit Washington.

Taiwan holds its first democratic presidential election on March 23.

Over the last several months, China has stepped up its military maneuvers in the Taiwan straits, and last week, according to a New York Times report, Beijing insisted that Taiwan must end its campaign for independence from mainland China, or China may be forced to attack.

Analysts said Li's speech, coupled with China's recent actions toward Taiwan, showed that Beijing was set on minimizing the significance of the election while also reducing Taiwanese President Lee's support.

"Beijing does not want to see Lee win with overwhelming support, nor does it want to see any ticket win more than 50 percent of the ballot," said the China Times Express, an evening newspaper.

In Taiwan, reactions to the speech were mixed.

Chen Li-an, an opponent of President Lee's in the March election, said, "The most important thing right now is for both sides to explore and create the opportunity for peace and to avoid military confrontation."

However, Peng Ming-min, who is also running in the election, believed differently.

"China treats Taiwan only as a piece of land. It thinks that by taking the land it can take the people as well," said Peng. "This is feudalism. It does not comply with the idea of human rights."

From CNN

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Taiwan upset over report of possible attack by China

January 25, 1996 Web posted at: 12:00 p.m. EST (1700 GMT)

From Beijing Bureau Chief Andrea Koppel

BEIJING (CNN) -- Anxieties grew in Taiwan on Thursday after a New York Times report said China has plotted a military attack on Taiwan in the weeks following its March presidential elections.

Citizens of Taiwan are shaken by the news, and China's refusal to comment on the matter has increased Taiwan's uneasiness. U.S. officials were skeptical about the chances of an attack, but are monitoring the situation closely.

"People are worried when they think of a possible attack by China. It doesn't matter how remote the possibility looks," said analyst Thomas Chien of Wardley James Capel Securities as some worried about the economic impact of the report.

There has been rivalry between China and Taiwan since the end of the civil war in 1949, when the . Since China's civil war ended in 1949, Beijing has considered Taiwan a renegade province and maintains its government is not entitled to international relations.

Beijing and Taipei have been bitter rivals since the end of the civil war in 1949, when the defeated Nationalists fled to the offshore island.

China repeatedly has asked the United States not to invite Taiwan officials to Washington. But so far, Washington has refused to give in to those demands. U.S. officials welcomed Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui during his visit last June, infuriating Chinese officials.

China has stepped up its military maneuvers in the Taiwan straits over the last several months, and Beijing now insists that Taiwan must end its campaign for independence from mainland China, or China may be forced to attack.

China denies the existence of a military plan, but Chinese officials have declined to comment in detail.

"It would not be in the Taiwanese interest to continue their erroneous position, but I do not wish to speculate," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Chen Jian said.

There is an element of "talking tough in order to keep the other guy off balance," said Stanford University professor John Lewis.

One Western diplomat said China "would not be unhappy if this intimidates Taiwan. This helps to reinforce the notion that Beijing is keeping its options open."

China has communicated its anger over the situation with visiting American scholars. Several scholars said they were told that mainland China has a plan to carry out an attack on Taiwan, hoping they will relay the information to U.S. officials.

The same scholars say that Beijing is hopeful the United States will use its clout with Taiwan to convince Lee to give up his global campaign for greater international recognition.

Lee, who favors reunification with China if it becomes democratic, says this is no time to appear soft.

"This is an election to span the century. ... The next four years will be filled with challenges and crises, but also full of opportunities," Lee said Thursday.

Taiwan believes the United States will fully support its independence bid, said David Lampton, president of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. But he thinks the United States might be reluctant to get involved.

"If Taiwan authorities stick obstinately to their wrongful positions, the interests of the Taiwan people will ultimately be harmed," Beijing spokesman Chen said.

Reuters news service contributed to this report.

From CNN

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Copyright DateRichard R. Wertz