CHINA / Taiwan, HK, Macao
US urges Chen to keep promises
(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-09-27 07:03
The United States has reminded Taiwan "president" Chen Shui-bian to keep
his commitment not to raise sovereignty issues, after the leader pushed
for a new "constitution" for the island.
Chen, under pressure to resign over corruption scandals, raised the issue
of a new "constitution" at a seminar on Sunday sponsored by his
independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
The Taiwan leader raised the possibility of changing the territorial
definitions of Taiwan.
Reacting to the move, the US State Department said on Monday that
Washington "does not support independence for Taiwan, and we continue to
be opposed to unilateral changes in the status quo by either side."
The United States took "very seriously" Chen's "repeated commitments not
to permit the 'constitutional' reform process to touch on sovereignty
issues, which includes territorial definition," State Department deputy
spokesman Tom Casey told reporters. "We expect him to carry out those
commitments, and we'll see what happens."
The fulfilment of the commitments, Casey said: "is a test of his
leadership, as well as his ability to protect Taiwan's interests, its
relations with others, and to maintain peace and stability in the
Straits."
The National People's Congress last year approved the Anti-Secession Law
to deter any secessionist scheme to seek formal "independence" for the
island.
Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and both the mainland and Taiwan
belong to one and the same China, although the two sides of the Straits
are yet to be reunified as a result of the country's civil war in the
late 1940s.
Chen told the seminar on Sunday that Taiwan should overhaul its
"constitution" which was enacted by the Kuomintang (KMT) government in
1947 and has gone through seven amendments since 1991.
Under the "constitution," Taiwan's territory included all of China, but
in reality only Taiwan and some offshore islands were ruled from Taipei,
he said. Chen has previously shunned the sensitive topic on territory by
saying Taiwan needs a new "constitution" only to enhance government
efficiency.
In a related development, Taiwan's opposition People First Party (PFP)
yesterday proposed a new recall vote in the "legislature" in a renewed
effort to oust Chen.
The first opposition attempt to launch a recall which would include an
island-wide referendum on Chen's fate failed in June when fewer than the
required two-thirds of "lawmakers" voted in favour.
The proposal came after a call on Monday by KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou for
a new recall motion.
A "legislative" committee agreed yesterday to consider the PFP motion.
Chen's ruling DPP said in a statement it opposed the move.
The fresh attempt to topple Chen comes after hundreds of thousands of
people, led by former DPP chairman Shih Ming-teh, took to Taipei's
streets this month calling for him to go.
The round-the-clock demonstration in downtown Taipei began on September
9. Smaller rallies in southern Taiwan this week led to scuffles between
anti- and pro-Chen camps.
Chen, who was elected in 2000 and re-elected in 2004 by a thin margin,
has been questioned over the undocumented use of more than 36 million new
Taiwan dollars (US$1.12 million) from his confidential "state" affairs
budget of last year.
His wife, Wu Shu-chen, is accused of accepting millions of Taiwan dollars
in department store gift certificates, but Chen has rejected the
accusation. His son in-law, Chao Chien-ming, is facing insider trading
charges and fighting them in court. Chen's ex-deputy chief of staff faces
corruption charges.
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours
Today's Top News
� Party sets the agenda for key meeting
� Chen's ouster wins wide public support
� US urges Chen to keep promises
� A ticket to riches for coal mine bosses
� Wu calls for better Japan ties
Top China News
� China vows no let-up in graft scandal probe
� Regulation to promote government transparency
� China compiling white paper on energy policies
� Courts to hear appeals of death sentences in open court
� China to strengthen management on national science funds
Alibaba is the largest B2B marketplace in the world. Source model ship,
wooden puzzle, one-piece toilet, RC hovercraft, photo album, prom dress,
pocket bike, Vaginal Speculum, Samurai Sword, String Panty and PVC Pipe.
Learn Chinese, Learn Mandarin online
No comments:
Post a Comment