Taiwan Spurns China Proposals

Taiwan on Friday rejected Beijing’s offers of economic sweeteners and a new formula to define ties between the rivals, dashing hopes for fresh talks.

James Soong, head of Taiwan’s second-largest opposition party, and Chinese President Hu Jintao proposed a “two sides, one China” formula Thursday as a basis for negotiations between Beijing and the island, which it considers part of its territory.

China also offered to make it easier for Taiwanese to work on the mainland, simplify entry and exit procedures and reduce tuition fees for Taiwanese students. The move came as Soong ended a nine-day visit.

Beijing’s strategy aims to increase pressure on Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian, who supports independence for the self-governing island. China’s Nationalist party leaders fled to Taiwan in 1949 and set up a government there after losing power on the mainland to Mao Tse-tung’s Communist armies.

Chen’s government said Friday that any agreements between China and the island’s opposition parties were of no consequence and that Beijing should deal with his government on those issues.

“The government is disappointed and regrets that China’s policy toward Taiwan is still rigid and shows no concrete sincerity to improve bilateral relations,” said Michael You, vice chairman of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council.