Taiwan Tries to Smooth China’s Ruffled Feathers

Taiwan sought Monday to defuse a diplomatic row over its president’s call for an independence vote, saying Chen Shui-bian spoke only of a possible response to Chinese aggression.

“Our foreign policy has not been changed,” said Manfred Peng, a spokesman for the Taiwanese government in Washington. That policy still includes no declaration of independence and no promotion of a referendum, Peng said.

Though there was no indication that the story was linked to Chen’s comments, the official China Daily said Monday that military exercises would be held this month along coastal provinces that face Taiwan.

Land, sea and air forces will practice simulated attacks and beach landings, the paper said. China regularly holds such exercises in summer.

Tsai Ing-wen, chairwoman of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, might visit Washington this week to explain Chen’s remark that Taiwanese residents should consider a referendum on the island’s future, Peng said. Tsai plans to be in New York accompanying Taiwanese Prime Minister Yu Shyi-kun on a visit.

China, which considers Taiwan a renegade province, drew a parallel in Chen’s words to a call in 1999 by Taiwan’s then-President Lee Teng-hui to redefine bilateral ties as “special state-to-state” relations.

Li Weiyi, spokesman for Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said Chen’s stance would damage “Taiwan’s economy, hurt the personal interests of Taiwan compatriots and lead Taiwan to disaster.” He said China would “absolutely not allow anyone, in any way, to split Taiwan from China.”

Xie Feng, a Chinese Embassy spokesman in Washington, called Chen’s remarks “an open defiance to all Chinese people” and dismissed the Taiwanese effort to downplay the comments, saying it reflected the worldwide criticism the words have generated.

Taiwan’s Peng said Chen’s “intent is to try to reiterate the existing facts.”

Taiwan “is already a sovereign and independent state,” though it also adheres to a promise not to declare independence or promote a referendum, Peng said.