Cablegate: June 27 Tao Press Briefing: Cross-Strait Shared

VZCZCXRO6756
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #4321/01 1780651
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 270651Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9400
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 004321

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ETRD ECON KOLY CH TW
SUBJECT: JUNE 27 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: CROSS-STRAIT SHARED
MARKET, HONG KONG 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, OLYMPICS, TAIWAN
SCHOLARS' IDEAS ON REUNIFICATION, TOURISM, CHARTER FLIGHTS

Summary
-------

1. Key points at the June 27 Taiwan Affairs Office
(TAO) press briefing were:

-- The Mainland supports resuming consultations on a
cross-Strait "common market" based on the "1992 Consensus."

-- The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games
(BOCOG) has been fair, open and transparent in working with
enterprises as sponsors, partners and suppliers, including
those from Taiwan.

-- China hopes to remove "political interference" from
discussion of the Olympic torch relay route.

-- The TAO hopes increased understanding among Taiwan
compatriots on the success of "one country, two systems" in
Hong Kong will promote peaceful reunification. End Summary.

Cross-Strait "Common Market," Vincent Siew
------------------------------------------

2. At the June 27 regular TAO press briefing, spokesman Yang
Yi said the Mainland advocates jointly exploring
establishment of a cross-Strait economic cooperation
mechanism and resumption of consultations on a "common
market" based on the "1992 Consensus," in response to a
question about Ma Ying-jeou's push for a cross-Strait common
market. In reply to a question on his views of Ma's Vice
Presidential candidate, Yang said he has had no previous
contact with Vincent Siew.

Olympic Business Opportunities, Torch Relay Route
--------------------------------------------- ----

3. The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games
(BOCOG) has been fair, open and transparent in working with
enterprises as sponsors, partners and suppliers, Yang said in
response to questions about Taiwan businesses reportedly
believing the bar for participation is set too high.
Taiwanese companies are included in the current 61 corporate
sponsors of the Games, he added. Regarding the current
stalemate over the Olympic torch relay route, Yang said China
hopes to remove "political interference" in implementing the
consensus that previously had been reached by both sides,
which had been approved by the International Olympic
Committee.

"Peaceful Independence, Democratic Reunification"
--------------------------------------------- ----

4. As long as there is hope for peaceful reunification,
China will strive to develop cross-Strait relations, but will
never tolerate Taiwan independence, Yang told reporters. He
was responding to a question about a new slogan, "peaceful
independence, democratic reunification," reportedly
circulating in Taiwan academic circles, as well as Taiwan
scholar Huang Jiashu's view that the incompatibility of the
Mainland and Taiwan's political and legal systems must be
addressed.

Success of "One Country, Two Systems" in Hong Kong
--------------------------------------------- -----

5. In response to questions on the tenth anniversary of Hong
Kong's reversion to China, Yang called attention to the
success of the "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people
ruling Hong Kong," and "high degree of autonomy" concepts in
Hong Kong over the past decade. He expressed hope that
increased understanding of the success of "one country, two
systems" among Taiwan compatriots would promote the "peaceful
reunification of the Motherland." Yang also pointed out the
ever-increasing exchange and trade between Hong Kong and
Taiwan and encouraged the further development of Hong
Kong-Taiwan relations.

Cross-Strait Tourism, Charter Flights
-------------------------------------

6. The spokesman again blamed Taiwan for thwarting a deal on
cross-Strait tourism on which he said civilian trade
organizations from both sides had reached consensus after
five rounds of technical consultations. The first Dragon
Boat Festival charter flights were completed successfully
June 15-22, consisting of 21 round-trip flights, but Yang
said China believes only with the early realization of
weekend and normal charter flights will demand be met and
real convenience provided to compatriots on both sides of the
Strait.

BEIJING 00004321 002 OF 002

Youth Exchange, Agriculture Cooperation
---------------------------------------

7. The spokesman gave a detailed description of exhibitions
related to cross-Strait agriculture held in cooperation with
the Taiwan Provincial Association of Agriculture on June
20-25 in the cities of Shanghai, Nanjing, Fuzhou, Wuhan,
Guangzhou and Dalian. In reply to a question about a
cross-Strait youth summer camp, Yang only mentioned a
cooperative project among the China Reporters Association,
the China Association of Journalists and Taiwan.
RANDT

© Scoop Media