Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (
"The US has told us not to give them surprises, but this time it is the US giving us a surprise. This is unfair. Taiwan and the US share the same interests and we should build mutual trust. But Powell's talk has breached mutual trust," Chen said.
Chen made the statement when questioned by Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator John Chang (
"This is indeed the first time the US has used relatively heavy language [about the cross-strait relationship]," Chen said when questioned by other lawmakers.
Chen was responding to Powell's remarks two days ago that "We want to see both sides not take unilateral action that would prejudice an eventual outcome, a reunification that all parties are seeking."
Chen pointed out yesterday that the ministry was already trying to obtain further informtion. He said that usually when US top officials traveled abroad and would make remarks related to Taiwan, the Taiwan's representative office in the US would get briefed first.
But this time, Chen said, there were "surprises" in Powell's remarks.
Powell gave interviews to CNN International and China's Phoenix TV at Beijing's China World Hotel two days ago. Besides reiterating the US' "one China" policy, Powell further elaborated on Taiwan's current status.
"We want to see both sides not take unilateral action that would prejudice an eventual outcome, a reunification that all parties are seeking," Powell told CNN, according to the transcript released by the US Department of State.
Powell reiterated unification again when talking to the Phoenix TV.
"So both sides should show restraint, not take any unilateral actions, look for ways of improving dialogue across the Straits and move forward toward that day when we will see a peaceful unification," Powell said, according to the transcript released by the State Department.
Powell also explained the "one China" policy again, further elaborating on Taiwan's current status.
"There is only `one China.' Taiwan is not independent. It does not enjoy sovereignty as a nation, and that remains our policy, our firm policy," Powell told the Phoenix TV.
Powell's remarks regarding the cross-strait relation were picked up by the media, and the State Department had to stress that the US government still maintains "one China" policy and its attitude toward the cross-strait relation have not changed in the daily press briefing on Oct 25.
"The words the secretary used accurately reflect our longstanding policy on Taiwan's status. And so, frankly, I think we are today where we were yesterday," State Department Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli said, according to the transcript released by the State Department.
"The policy has not changed. One element of our policy has been to favor a peaceful resolution of the cross-strait issue through dialogue and through a resolution that is acceptable to both sides," Ereli answered when asked about Powell's use of the word "reunification." Ereli then said that Powell's remarks about Taiwan not enjoying sovereignty as an "objective statement of fact." Powell's mention of unification and Taiwan's "non-sovereign" status also touched quite a few nerves in Taiwan, and lawmakers kept pressing the issue when questioning Chen and the premier yesterday.
As a response, Chen said that the State Department had made it clear that when Powell mentioned "reunification," he actually meant "resolution."
Also See Story:
Mainland Affairs Council downplays Powell's words
Editorial: Poor word choice or a policy shift?
FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION: The UK would continue to reinforce ties with Taiwan ‘in a wide range of areas’ as a part of a ‘strong unofficial relationship,’ a paper said The UK plans to conduct more freedom of navigation operations in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy told the British House of Commons on Tuesday. British Member of Parliament Desmond Swayne said that the Royal Navy’s HMS Spey had passed through the Taiwan Strait “in pursuit of vital international freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.” Swayne asked Lammy whether he agreed that it was “proper and lawful” to do so, and if the UK would continue to carry out similar operations. Lammy replied “yes” to both questions. The
Two US House of Representatives committees yesterday condemned China’s attempt to orchestrate a crash involving Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim’s (蕭美琴) car when she visited the Czech Republic last year as vice president-elect. Czech local media in March last year reported that a Chinese diplomat had run a red light while following Hsiao’s car from the airport, and Czech intelligence last week told local media that Chinese diplomats and agents had also planned to stage a demonstrative car collision. Hsiao on Saturday shared a Reuters news report on the incident through her account on social media platform X and wrote: “I
SHIFT PRIORITIES: The US should first help Taiwan respond to actions China is already taking, instead of focusing too heavily on deterring a large-scale invasion, an expert said US Air Force leaders on Thursday voiced concerns about the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) missile capabilities and its development of a “kill web,” and said that the US Department of Defense’s budget request for next year prioritizes bolstering defenses in the Indo-Pacific region due to the increasing threat posed by China. US experts said that a full-scale Chinese invasion of Taiwan is risky and unlikely, with Beijing more likely to pursue coercive tactics such as political warfare or blockades to achieve its goals. Senior air force and US Space Force leaders, including US Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink and
Czech officials have confirmed that Chinese agents surveilled Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) during her visit to Prague in March 2024 and planned a collision with her car as part of an “unprecedented” provocation by Beijing in Europe. Czech Military Intelligence learned that their Chinese counterparts attempted to create conditions to carry out a demonstrative incident involving Hsiao, which “did not go beyond the preparation stage,” agency director Petr Bartovsky told Czech Radio in a report yesterday. In addition, a Chinese diplomat ran a red light to maintain surveillance of the Taiwanese
RSS