Cablegate: Media Reaction: China's National Defense White

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS TAIPEI 004082

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/RSP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD -
ROBERT PALLADINO
DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: CHINA'S NATIONAL DEFENSE WHITE
PAPER

A) "Prevent Independence by All Means, No Hope For
Negotiations [Between China and Taiwan]"

Journalist Wang Li-juan wrote in the conservative, pro-
unification "United Daily News" (12/28):

"China Monday released its national defense white
paper, in which the `negatively developing Taiwan
independence power' is listed as an important factor to
influence [China's] national security. China proposed
three strongly-worded `resolute' oppositions and one
`never,' which are more harsh and more baldly stated
than the `three conditions to use force against Taiwan'
stated in its 2000 national defense white paper.

"`Permanent refusal to negotiate' is not mentioned in
the `conditions' to use force against Taiwan in this
year's white paper. However, the white paper proposed
that the two sides across the Strait could only resume
talks after the Taiwan authority accepts the `One
China' principle and terminates separatist activities
of Taiwan independence. It is obvious that China by
all means constrains Taiwan independence in its policy
toward Taiwan, and China has no hope for future talks
in the Taiwan Strait.."

B) "The National Defense White Paper Is Another Card
For China to Push For Anti-Secession"

The centrist, pro-status quo "China Times"
editorialized (12/28):

".China's 2004 national defense white paper indicated
that the persistent U.S. arms sale to Taiwan is sending
a wrong signal [from the United States] to Taiwan. It
[the white paper] clearly pointed at the special U.S.
arms procurement by Taiwan at the cost of more than 600
billion NTD. However, China did not mention the United
States when saying [China] resolutely opposes `any
country' forming any military alliance with Taiwan.
The white paper also said China would keep a low
profile and a cooperative attitude on its nuclear
strategy. These declarations are weaker than before
and the meaning is that China seeks help from the
United States, and China does not adopt a
confrontational attitude with the United States.

"Looking back on history, it is less than four years
since China 2000 released its national defense white
paper commenting on the Taiwan issue, hence, there is
quite a change in China's policy toward Taiwan. The
fundamental nature of China's military threats toward
Taiwan has not changed, but the contents of the
comments and the adjustment in focus are closely
correlated with political changes within Taiwan. To be
frank, the current deadlock in cross-Strait relations
is not caused by any single factor from either side of
the Taiwan Strait. Tests in the future might be more
grim, and the authorities on both sides of the Strait
should face them with wisdom."

PAAL

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