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PRC steps up pressure
for ‘peace pact’
UP A NOTCH: Recent language by China seems to
confirm predictions by Taiwanese officials that Beijing intends to push harder
for the signing of a peace agreement
By J. Michael Cole / Staff reporter
With the completion of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 18th National
Congress last month, Beijing is stepping up pressure on Taiwan to begin
political talks and sign a cross-strait “peace agreement.”
During a routine press conference in Beijing yesterday, Taiwan Affairs Office
spokesperson Fan Liqing (范麗青) said that China remained committed to safeguarding
peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, adding that concerns on Taiwan’s side
over the deployment by China of about 1,600 ballistic missiles would be best
addressed through timely meetings on military issues.
The best way to reduce military concerns would be for the two sides to discuss
the establishment of a cross-strait mutual-trust security mechanism, during
which issues of military deployments could be addressed, Fan said.
Both President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration and the Democratic
Progressive Party have repeatedly called on Beijing to remove or dismantle the
ballistic and cruise missiles aimed at Taiwan. So far, such calls have fallen on
deaf ears, with the number of missiles increasing at a rate of about 100
missiles annually.
China has also been upgrading its missile forces, replacing short-range Dong
Feng-11 (DF-11) missiles with more modern and accurate versions, while
increasing the number of longer-range missiles, such as the DF-15 and its latest
addition, the DF-16.
Earlier this month, Mainland Affairs Council Minister Wang Yu-chi (王郁琦) said
that Taipei expected Beijing would exert more pressure on Taiwan to begin
political talks, adding that based on his agency’s assessment of the language
used during the CCP congress, China seemed especially keen on signing a
cross-strait peace agreement.
Fan said a peace agreement was in line with the overall interests of the
“Chinese nation” and that the main task following the party congress was to
“deepen the peaceful development of cross-strait relations” through follow-up
consultations on the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) and an
intensification of economic cooperation and cross-strait cultural exchanges.
In related developments, the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League — one of
the eight non-communist political parties in China — held its ninth national
congress on Tuesday and pledged to promote the “peaceful reunification of the
Chinese nation.”
Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan (王岐山), a member of the CCP Standing Committee,
praised the party, which counts about 2,100 Taiwanese living in China as
members, for its “patriotic and revolutionary tradition,” and for the
contributions it made to “promoting prosperity and peaceful reunification of the
Chinese nation,” Xinhua news agency reported.
During the meetings, the league was urged to “deepen exchanges with people from
all walks of life” in Taiwan, to “fight with Taiwan compatriots against ‘Taiwan
independence’” and to ensure that Taiwanese recognize the so-called “1992
consensus,” a disputed “agreement” under which both sides have conducted
negotiations.
The congress also resolved to draw China and Taiwan closer economically,
increase the “common cultural identity” and strengthen the “emotional bounds
between people across the Strait.”
League chairwoman Lin Wenyi (林文漪) said the party should study and implement the
spirit of the 18th National Congress and seek the “peaceful reunification of the
Chinese nation.”
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