~ 2000

  [ News ] [ Papers ]

KMT Heavyweight Meets Wang Daohan
(China Times, Dec. 26, 2000) Wang Daohan, chairman of the PRC's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), said yesterday in a meeting with former Kuomintang Secretary-General John Chang in Shanghai that although Taiwan's current leader has been in office for more than seven months, the mainland authorities have not seen Taiwan take any concrete steps toward embracing the "one China" principle.

Lee tells Chen to Compromise on Cross-Strait Bodies
(Taipei Times, Dec. 12, 2000) Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh has urged President Chen Shui-bian to reorganize the National Unification Council (NUC). At a recent meeting with Chen, Lee suggested the NUC be reformed with a proportional membership representing the different political parties. Lee also urged Chen to reconvene the NUC as soon as possible.

China Flatly Rejects Taiwan's Ice-Breaking Bid
(Reuters, Nov. 30, 2000) China flatly rejected on Thursday as ''word games'' a Taiwan bid to set the stage for reconciliation talks and told arch rival Taipei not to be optimistic about cross-Strait relations.

Advisory Group consensus affirmed by DPP
(China Times, Nov. 30, 2000) The Central Standing Committee of the Democratic Progressive Party issued a formal statement yesterday thanking the President's Advisory Group on Cross-Strait Relations for its hard work in formulating its "three acknowledgements and four suggestions" regarding cross-strait relations. In addition, the committee asked President Chen Shui-bian to give the Advisory Group's consensus serious consideration when formulating mainland China policy.

China Seeks Unification Commitment from Taiwan's President
(Associated Press, Nov. 29, 2000) Piling the pressure on Taiwan's embattled president, China demanded on Wednesday that he commit to unification between them by endorsing an eight-year-old agreement that facilitated earlier talks.

Presidential Task Force Recommendations Criticized by Opposition
(CNA, Nov. 27, 2000) The conclusions of a cross-party panel charged by President Chen Shui-bian with working out consensus on cross-Taiwan Strait issues were derided Monday as a "conclusion without conclusions" by three opposition parties.

President's Advisors Make Suggestions
(Taipei Times, Nov. 27, 2000) The President's Advisory Group on Cross Strait Relations yesterday appealed to President Chen Shui-bian to deal with cross-strait disputes and react to Beijing's "one China" principle in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of China.

Advisory Group Presents New Suggestions on Cross-Strait Ties
(CNA, Nov. 26, 2000) Taipei - The President's Advisory Group on Cross-Taiwan Strait Relations suggested Sunday that the president promote cross-strait relations, resolve bilateral disputes, and respond to Beijing's "one China" stance in line with the Republic of China Constitution. … the group also suggested at their seventh meeting Sunday that the president establish a new mechanism or coordinate the existing mechanisms so as to work out a consensus in society on the issues of national development and cross-strait relations.

Taiwan Vice President Rejects Beijing's "One China" Policy
(Reuters, Nov. 24, 2000) Taiwan's outspoken Vice President Annette Lu warned the island against falling into rival China's trap on Friday and said bowing to Beijing's "One China" policy was tantamount to surrender. "Voices in favor of unification are louder and louder at the moment. They say we should accept 'One China'. Accepting 'one China' is equivalent to surrender," Lu said in a speech.

'One China' Fray Divides Politicians
(China Post, Nov. 23, 2000) The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) will adhere to the consensus formed by the cross-strait task force regarding the sovereignty row with Beijing only after it becomes government policy, said Chen Ming-tong, MAC vice chairman.

Taiwan Ruling Party Chief Hints At Embracing "One China" Norm
 (AFP, Nov. 19, 2000) Frank Hsieh, chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has long advocated independence, has spoken of the need to obey the constitution based on the principle of "one China." He said he himself was not fully satisfied with the constitution enforced in 1946 when the Kuomintang (KMT) still ruled the mainland. "But the constitution should be acceptable to people of different political stance... After all the constitution has been interpreted with different definitions," Hsieh said.

Lien Tells Chen About 'One China' Consensus
(Straits Times, Oct. 28, 2000) It is a fact that there was a consensus between China and Taiwan in 1992, Kuomintang chairman Lien Chan told President Chen Shui-bian yesterday in a two-hour meeting that was broadcast live.

No 1992 Consensus, MAC Chief Says
(China Post, Oct. 20, 2000) Mainland Affairs Council Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen yesterday sought to end confusion over whether a consensus was reached between Taiwan and mainland China in 1992 over the "one China" issue.

Presidential Group Urges Beijing to Resume Talks on 1992-93 Spirit
(CNA, Oct. 14, 2000) The president's advisory group on cross-Taiwan Strait relations Saturday urged Beijing to resume bilateral negotiations based on the spirit of 1992-93, which paved the way for constructive exchanges between the two sides. ...members of the group expressed the hope that cross-strait dialogue will be able to resume in line with the 1992-93 spirit, under which SEF Chairman Koo Chen-fu and his mainland counterpart, Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait Chairman Wang Daohan, held their first meeting in Singapore in April 1993.

Ex-MAC Chief Claims 'Spirit of 1992' Is Invented by Foreigner
(CNA, Oct. 14, 2000) Former Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairman Su Chi alleged Saturday that the term "spirit of 1992" used in President Chen Shui-bian's olive branch to Beijing was invented by a foreign national, not Chen himself.

Taiwan President Says Seeks Peace With China
(Reuters, Oct. 10, 2000) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said in his first national day speech on Tuesday that he wants to pursue long-lasting peace with China but would not let Beijing determine the island's future.

Beijing Official Accuses Taiwan Leader of Separatism
(New York Times, Sep. 5, 2000) A Chinese spokesman today attacked Taiwan's president, Chen Shui-bian, for remarks suggesting that his island's unification with China was not inevitable, calling them "very dangerous." China's patience with Mr. Chen since he took office in May is beginning to wear thin, Zhang Mingqing, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said in a news conference.

Task Force Debates 'One China'
(Taipei Times, Sep. 5, 2000) The question of whether the 1992 consensus on "one China, interpreted separately by each side" will be the key which unlocks the impasse in cross-strait relations was the subject of debate among senior Democratic Progressive Party officials and members of the cross-party task force yesterday.

Risking China's Ire, Taiwan Leader Questions Unification
(New York Times, Sep. 2, 200) Since he came to power in May, Taiwan's new president, Chen Shui-bian, has labored to persuade China that he is not a wild-eyed separatist, driven by dreams of Taiwanese independence. But Mr. Chen's charm offensive has come to an abrupt end. In an interview here today, he took a harder line toward the Chinese government on the crucial issue of when -- or even whether -- Taiwan and China will be unified.

Taiwan Says No Predetermined Stance on China Union
(Reuters, Aug. 28, 2000) President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan's pro-independence ruling party held out an olive branch to arch-rival Beijing on Monday, saying he has no predetermined stance on whether to reunify with China and that any scenario is a possibility.

Beijing Redefines Dogma in Overture to Taiwan
(Reuters, Aug. 27, 2000) Taiwan newspapers said on Saturday that Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen had redefined Beijing's sacred "one China" principle, but local analysts say the overture falls short of the island's expectations. Qian met a delegation from the United Daily News group in Beijing on Thursday and redefined the "one China" principle, saying: "The mainland and Taiwan both belong to one China."

National Unification Guidelines Need to Be Overhauled: Official
(CNA, Aug. 21, 2000) The Guidelines for National Unification (GNU) should be overhauled to meet actual needs, as the environments in both Taiwan and mainland China have changed. Chen Che-nan, acting secretary-general to the President, said there is room for debate on whether the contents of the GNU are still appropriate, as the guidelines were drafted more than eight years ago, and things have changed drastically since that time.

Taiwan President: Reunification is Not Taiwan's Only Choice
(AP, Aug. 18, 2000) Reunification with China is not the only option for Taiwan, the island's president said Thursday in a speech that risked increasing the level of distrust between his new government and Beijing. Chen has been reluctant to agree with Beijing and support reunification. On Thursday, Chen made it clear that eventual reunification was not inevitable and that the future of Taiwan would have to be decided by the Taiwanese people.

National Unification Council Post Problematic for DPP
(United Daily News, Aug. 15, 2000) Reports that President Chen Shui-bian may take over the chairmanship of the National Unification Council (NUC) have put nerves on edge in the president's Democratic Progressive Party. The NUC, which was chaired by former President Lee Teng-hui during the last administration, has been dormant since the tenure of its members expired in March.

Taiwan Urges China to Talk, Shelve Dispute
(Reuters, July 31, 2000) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian held out an olive branch to rival China on Monday with a call to resume dialogue and other contacts and to shelve disputes. Chen urged Beijing to come to the table "in the spirit of 1992,'' when they agreed in talks that each side could have its own interpretation of Beijing's cherished "one China'' principle. "By the spirit of 1992, of course I mean dialogue, exchanges and setting aside disputes,'' Chen told a news conference, his second since taking office in May.

China Condemns Taiwan's Head Of Mainland Affairs
(AFP, July 27, 2000) China's state controlled press Wednesday slammed the head of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council as a "criminal" splittist and the "brains" behind former President Lee Teng-hui's "two states theory." "Tsai Ying-wen is a key figure behind Lee Teng-hui's 'two states theory,' and has been the brains behind Lee Teng-hui's separatists words and deeds," a commentary by Xinhua news agency said.

Few Think Chen Will Push for Independence
(CNA, July 23, 2000) The number of Taiwan people who think that new ROC President Chen Shui-bian will push for hasty Taiwan independence has declined significantly, according to the results of a public opinion poll released on Sunday.

Taiwan Won't Offer More On "One China"
(Reuters, July 19, 2000) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said he has gone far enough to meet China's demands on defining Taiwan's political status and the ball was now in Beijing's court, a local newspaper reported on Wednesday.

National Unification Council on Hold Before Consensus
(China Post, July 11, 2000) The Presidential Office said yesterday that the National Unification Council will only convene after the newly formed multi-party task force has forged a national consensus on cross-strait relations.

Tsai, Tang Stress 'Separate Interpretations'
(United Daily News, July 7, 2000) Mainland Affairs Council Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen said yesterday that in addressing the question of "one China," the new administration emphasizes "separate interpretations." Meanwhile, Premier Tang Fei asserted that bilateral talks are possible if Beijing relaxes its stance on the "one China" principle.

China Names New Official For Taiwan Relations
(Reuters, July 6, 2000) China, locked in a delicate stalemate with rival Taiwan, will appoint a new deputy head of the body which handles ties with the island Beijing claims as a wayward province, official sources said on Thursday. Youthful Shanghai technocrat Zhou Mingwei has been earmarked to replace retiring Tang Shubei as the vice-chairman of the semi-official Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS).

Premier Proposes a 'Future New China'
(Taiwan News, July 5, 2000) Premier Tang Fei suggested yesterday that Taiwan discard the idea "one China" is the Republic of China and that Beijing discard the idea "one China" is the People's Republic of China. He said instead that the two sides should work toward a mutually acceptable "future new China."

PRC Making Overtures to Legislators
(China Times, July 3, 2000) As the Legislative Yuan develops its plan to form a strategic task force to oversee cross-strait affairs, mainland Chinese officials have stepped up their efforts to initiate a dialogue with the legislature and create a "second track" for cross-strait relations.

Taiwan's Chen Talks Tough on 'One China'
(Reuters, June 30, 2000) Taiwan's new president Chen Shui-bian, under pressure from pro-independence diehards in his party, flatly rejected on Friday the ``one China'' principle that Beijing insists must form the basis of any talks.

Beijing Rejects Overture By Taiwan
(Washington Post, June 30, 2000) China today rebuffed a conciliatory overture from Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian, complaining that his hedged endorsement of the "one China" principle lacks sincerity.

MAC Chief Clarifies Chen's Comments
(Taipei Times, June 29, 2000) In a late evening press conference yesterday, the head of the Mainland Affairs Council made a clarification of remarks made by President Chen Shui-bian on Tuesday, saying Chen's recognition of a 1992 consensus did not mean Taiwan had accepted mainland China's `one China' principle.

Taiwan's Chen Embraces 'One China' Consensus
(Reuters, June 28, 2000) In what seems to be a concession, Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said his new government was willing to embrace a "one China" policy but that China was not tantamount to the People's Republic government in Beijing.

Taiwan's new Vice President Lu snubs 'One China'
(AFP, May 28, 2000) Taiwan's newly inaugurated Vice President Annette Lu Sunday dismissed Beijing's "One China" principle pointing to the stark contrast in ideologies between the two sides.

'One China' No Condition for Progress By Su Huan-chih
(Taiwan News, Nov. 30, 2000) What we suggest therefore is the following. 1. The President's Advisory Group on cross-strait Relations should cease discussing the "one-China" issue. The members of the committee should clearly take the national consensus and coalesce it through a democratically held conference. They should take a more macroscopic view of the issues of globalization and the cross-strait issue in establishing policy guidelines. 2. There should be a formation of a "brother alliance" in cross-strait relations which could lead to a new, more amiable situation.

Taiwanese Debate Whether New Advice Can Restart China Talks By William Foreman
(Associated Press, Nov. 27, 2000) Hopes were high that a recommendation issued over the weekend by a presidential advisory committee would give Taiwan's leader clear advice about how to end a political squabble with China and set up a historic summit. But the much-anticipated wisdom left many skeptical Monday that any progress had been made toward resolving the main question that has blocked Taiwan-China talks: Is this island an inseparable part of "one China?"

China and Taiwan-From Flashpoint to Redefining One China By Gary Klintworth
(Parliament House, Australia, Nov. 2000) China and Taiwan are not on a collision course and that indeed, negotiations are the endgame that both sides have in mind. How they proceed, however, is still subject to domestic political variables in both Beijing and Taipei and the perspectives that each side has of the other. ... the gap between the two sides over the meaning of the key issue-'one China'-has narrowed significantly over the last few years. Furthermore the risk of misunderstanding in the two key relationships-China and Taiwan and China and the US-could be minimised if Australia and other like-minded states helped build up trust and understanding in cross-Strait relations and provided some of the neutral ballast that is needed to stabilise an often turbulent Sino-US relationship.

'Consensus' on 'one China' Debate Provokes Fierce Discussion By Kam Yiu-yu
(Taipei Times, Nov. 14, 2000) Did the authorities on both sides of the Taiwan Strait previously reach a consensus regarding the "one-China principle"? This major question has incited a fierce dispute between the governments on either side of the Taiwan Sea during the last year.

Gore's Support for 'One China' Policy Seen Being Stronger Than Current Stance By Charles Snyder
(Taipei Times, Oct. 28, 2000 ) In what was one of the most specific and, to some Taiwan supporters, one of the most disturbing statements on US Vice President Al Gore's policy toward Taiwan, Gore's leading foreign policy advisor, Leon Feurth, said Thursday that Gore would recognize "one China" if elected president next month.

Taiwan-China Relationship Explored By William Foreman
(Associated Press, Oct. 18, 2000) Taiwan's new leaders are being accused of doing something that their communist Chinese foes do: revising history. The hot issue lately is whether Taiwan ever reached a consensus with China in 1992 that allowed the two sides' envoys to hold historic talks – exchanges the rivals are trying to renew. Newspapers have devoted pages to the topic, and legislators and pundits have debated almost nightly during call-in TV and radio shows.

1992 Consensus and Its Contextual Connotations By Jiann-fa Yan
(Peace Forum, Taiwan Research institute, Sept. 25, 2000) The citizens in Taiwan will definitely disagree with PRC's definition on "One China". During past decades, most Taiwan residents have recognized themselves as ROC citizens.

Dreams of 'One China' Clash with Taiwan Realities By Syd Goldsmith
(LA Times, Sept. 20, 2000) Now that the U.S. Senate has passed legislation to permanently normalize trade relations with China, we should ask whether Washington will continue to allow Beijing's bluster over Taiwan to unduly influence U.S. China policy.

All Eyes on Chen over Chairmanship of NUC
(Taipei Times, Aug. 29, 2000) Many are anxious to see if the president will chair the National Unification Council, but analysts say he will have to weigh up which is worse -- whether to accept the backlash from Beijing or face the wrath of the DPP's hardliners.

Taiwan's Chen Faces Tricky Unification Body Choice
(Reuters, Aug 23, 2000) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian will have to confront a thorny political issue after returning this weekend from his first overseas trip. Chen will have to make up his mind whether to assume the chairmanship of the National Unification Council after he gets back on Saturday from a two-week visit to six countries in Central America and Africa.

Beijing Looks for a Taiwan Policy By Ralph A. Cossa
(International Herald Tribune, Aug. 17, 2000) As China's leaders discuss policies at the summer resort of Beidaihe, strategy toward Taiwan is high on their agenda. President Jiang Zemin has been criticized openly for mishandling events leading to Chen Shui-bian's election as Taiwan's president.

Tsai Urges Close Ties with Mainland China
(United Daily News, Aug. 4, 2000) Speaking at a mainland affairs policy study session for legislative staff yesterday, Mainland Affairs Council Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen stated that the people of Taiwan have only one choice in cross-strait relations, and that is to establish a meaningful political relationship with mainland China.

Wait for Beijing's Next Move
(Editorial, Taipei Times, July 16, 2000) Policy-wise, Taiwan's political parties do not differ much. But parties with blurry personalities aside, the Democratic Progressive Party stands out in one regard -- a party platform that advocates a public referendum on Taiwan's independence.

Political View of Why the "one China" Principle Should be an Issue, not a Precondition By Chang Hsien-chao
(Peace Forum, Taiwan Research Institute, July 2000) "One China" principle must be the result of cross-strait negotiations, not a unilateral and unconditional acceptance. In other words, Taiwan need not completely reject the “one China” issue, but should remain resolved on certain considerations. The “one China” principle should be an issue, not a precondition.

Did He Say 'One China'? Chen Tried To, But the DPP Balked By Allen T. Cheng
(Asiaweek, July 14, 2000) It was something of a bombshell. Taiwan's new government, President Chen Shui-bian told American visitors last week, was prepared to accept a 1992 consensus with Beijing that "there is one China, but each side could have its own interpretation."

Getting to ‘One China’ By John Chipman
(Newsweek International, July 2, 2000) In the current circumstances, it would be an act of strategic negligence if the G8 states did not address the China- Taiwan issue. The countries of the G8 should urge in their final communique that the two sides resume their dialogue immediately.

Trend Emerging on Chen's Statements
(Straits Times, June 21, 2000) Taiwanese leader seems to soft-pedal cross-strait ties in public, but pushes privately for changes needed to consolidate de facto independence. China has been quick to dismiss any thoughts Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian might have had that his proposal for a cross-strait summit and reaffirmation of the 1992 consensus on ""one China'' would appease Beijing. Speaking at a press conference held to mark his first month in office, Mr Chen said he was willing to discuss the issue of a ""future one China'' on the basis of all past agreements reached, including the 1992 consensus.

'One China' Feud Blocks Direct Links
(China Post, June 7, 2000) President Chen Shui-bian's plan to open up the two outlying islands of Kinmen and Matsu to direct sea transport with the neighboring Chinese mainland before the end of this year is likely to fail because of persistent wrangling over the "one China" issue.

Taiwan's New President: One If and Five Nos By Harvey Sicherman
(Foreign Policy Research Institute, June 2, 2000) Invoking his responsibility for the "sovereignty, dignity, and security" of the Republic of China, Chen then clarifies the future through the "one if" and the "five nos." The one if: "the CCP regime has no intention to use military force against Taiwan."

'One-China' and International Law By Hungdah Chi
(United Daily News, March 1, 2000) The White Paper's statement that the Chinese Communists founded the People's Republic of China in 1949 is true. However, it is noteworthy that Beijing used the word "founded" here.

The Myth of 'One China' By William Shawcross
(Newsweek International, March 6, 2000) Taiwan, one of Asia's newest and most effective democracies, is nearing its March 18 vote for a new president. Just as during the last such election in 1996, its Big Brother, mainland China, is threatening to invade. Every time Beijing acts in such a way, it diminishes the myth that there is but ''one China.''