US President George W. Bush says he is "optimistic" about the chances for a peaceful resolution of differences between China and Taiwan in view of recent cross-strait dialogue. But in an interview with Asian news media on the eve of his trip to the region, Bush did not repeat his administration's call for China to talk directly with the Chen Shui-bian (
Bush also said that, in his visit to Beijing, he will stress the continuity of US policy toward Taiwan, which would confirm Washington's "one-China" policy; adherence to the three joint communiques between the US and China; a position not supporting Taiwan independence; and "strong support" for the Taiwan Relations Act.
"I'm constantly reiterating my position so that both sides clearly know the position of the United States," Bush said. "I think that's important for the Chinese leadership and the people of China to hear."
Regarding his December 2003 statement -- after a meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (溫家寶) in the Oval Office -- chastising Chen for moves seen as altering the status quo in the Strait, Bush said, "I'm always concerned that one party or the other will do something unilaterally to change the status quo."
Such a move would be "a source of angst and anger," he said.
Bush said he is "heartened" to see a cross-strait dialogue beginning to develop.
"That's a positive development and I will continue to encourage that dialogue," he said.
"I urge the parties to continue those discussions. I believe it is possible, through discussion and goodwill, to end up solving this issue in a peaceful way," Bush said.
Bush was vague in his comments about the dialogue, which he made in response to questions by two reporters from different Asian media. He did not address the issue of China's refusal to talk with Chen or his government without preconditions.
In an unusual move, asked what he "hopes to achieve" on the trip, Bush told a reporter from Hong Kong-based Phoenix TX that he would bring up Taiwan in his talks with Chinese leaders in Beijing, and went on to outline US policy on the matter.
On most other trips, Bush and top administration officials have omitted voluntary references to Taiwan, or mentioned Taiwan only in passing. The position has been that the Chinese side is certain to bring up the topic as a priority, but that the US side would simply respond, rather than initiating any conversation on cross-strait issues.
It is unclear whether Bush's comments indicate that his administration intends to take a more proactive stance on Taiwan in upcoming and future meetings.
Bush will be in Beijing next week, after attending the meeting of the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Busan, South Korea.
Taipei and New Taipei City government officials are aiming to have the first phase of the Wanhua-Jungho-Shulin Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line completed and opened by 2027, following the arrival of the first train set yesterday. The 22km-long Light Green Line would connect four densely populated districts in Taipei and New Taipei City: Wanhua (萬華), Jhonghe (中和), Tucheng (土城) and Shulin (樹林). The first phase of the project would connect Wanhua and Jhonghe districts, with Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Chukuang (莒光) being the terminal stations. The two municipalities jointly hosted a ceremony for the first train to be used
MILITARY AID: Taiwan has received a first batch of US long-range tactical missiles ahead of schedule, with a second shipment expected to be delivered by 2026 The US’ early delivery of long-range tactical ballistic missiles to Taiwan last month carries political and strategic significance, a military source said yesterday. According to the Ministry of National Defense’s budget report, the batch of military hardware from the US, including 11 sets of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and 64 MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems, had been scheduled to be delivered to Taiwan between the end of this year and the beginning of next year. However, the first batch arrived last month, earlier than scheduled, with the second batch —18 sets of HIMARS, 20 MGM-140 missiles and 864 M30
Representative to the US Alexander Yui delivered a letter from the government to US president-elect Donald Trump during a meeting with a former Trump administration official, CNN reported yesterday. Yui on Thursday met with former US national security adviser Robert O’Brien over a private lunch in Salt Lake City, Utah, with US Representative Chris Stewart, the Web site of the US cable news channel reported, citing three sources familiar with the matter. “During that lunch the letter was passed along, and then shared with Trump, two of the sources said,” CNN said. O’Brien declined to comment on the lunch, as did the Taipei
A woman who allegedly attacked a high-school student with a utility knife, injuring his face, on a Taipei metro train late on Friday has been transferred to prosecutors, police said yesterday. The incident occurred near MRT Xinpu Station at about 10:17pm on a Bannan Line train headed toward Dingpu, New Taipei City police said. Before police arrived at the station to arrest the suspect, a woman surnamed Wang (王) who is in her early 40s, she had already been subdued by four male passengers, one of whom was an off-duty Taipei police officer, police said. The student, 17, who sustained a cut about
RSS