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Cablegate: Media Reaction: Cross-Strait Relations

VZCZCXYZ0005
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIN #1183 2731021
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 301021Z SEP 09
FM AIT TAIPEI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2414
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 9407
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 0833

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 001183

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/P, EAP/PD - THOMAS HAMM
DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS

Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused news
coverage September 30 on the Taiwan government's plan to ease its
restrictions on local semiconductor and LCD companies investing in
China; on the 2009 U.S.-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference currently
held in Virginia; and on China's celebrations of its upcoming 60th
anniversary. In terms of editorials and commentaries, an editorial
in the pro-independence "Liberty Times" discussed China's
celebrations of its 60th anniversary and what it believes to be the
Ma Ying-jeou administration's tilting toward China. The article
cited the San Francisco Peace Treaty of 1952 and concluded that
Taiwan does not belong to the Republic of China (ROC), and as a
result, the island will become part of China even if the ROC on
Taiwan surrenders itself to the People's Republic of China in the
future. An editorial in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" urged
the Taiwan government not to forget that China remains to a key
threat to Taiwan's national security. End summary.

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A) "Two Psychological Portrayals, One Big Pitfall"

The pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 680,000]
editorialized (9/30):

"... In other words, given the actions taken in the wake of World
War II, the international treaties signed between the victorious and
defeated nations only stated that Japan had renounced [its claim
over] Taiwan; they did not specify which country Taiwan belonged to.
According to the principles of international law, Taiwan's
sovereignty naturally belongs to the people of Taiwan. As a result,
it is evidently nonsensical talk when the People's Republic of China
(PRC) claims that Taiwan is part of China, or when the Republic of
China (ROC) claims that Taiwan was returned to the ROC.

"In this vein, the significance of the 60th anniversary of the PRC
for the Taiwan people is: Taiwan has yet to break away from the
occupation of the ROC, and that the ROC has 'never possessed the
sovereignty' [of Taiwan]. ... Based on the aforementioned logic,
there are only some unresolved issues between Taiwan and the ROC;
even if the ROC on Taiwan surrenders itself to the PRC in the
future, Taiwan will not become part of China! The Ma administration
has said more than once that they will not sell out Taiwan. In
reality, however, it is not that they will not sell out Taiwan, but
that they do not have the right to sell out Taiwan. Taiwan's
sovereignty does not belong to the ROC, so how is the Ma
administration going to sell out Taiwan? Nonetheless, judging from
the policy of the Ma administration, [Ma] is interested in working
with Beijing to jointly annex Taiwan -- namely, the ROC and the PRC
will decide privately how they are going to deal with Taiwan, and
eventually Taiwan will become a thing in China's bag. ..."

B) "Friend or Foe?"

The mass-circulation "Apple Daily" [circulation: 520,000]
editorialized (9/30):

"In its briefing to the Legislative Yuan today, the Ministry of
Defense said China has been rapidly strengthening its modern armed
forces; China's hostility against Taiwan persists, and China remains
the key threat to Taiwan's national security. ... China's essence
of being fascist is evident, as shown by the parade it will be
holding on October 1 in celebration of its National Day. ... Except
for Pyongyang and Beijing, few countries in the world like to review
their troops any more in this way of showing off. ... The Ministry
of Defense was being polite in saying that China is a threat to
Taiwan. We hope that the national security team will have the same
understanding and will not forget to stand on their toes while
seeking to improve Taiwan's relations with China."

STANTON

© Scoop Media

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