Taiwan told to recognize 'One China' for talks

Taiwan told to recognize 'One China' for talks

BEIJING (AFP): China rebuffed Taiwanese President Chen Shui- bian's call for talks and direct transport links by the end of the year, insisting he must first recognize the "One China" principle.

Foreign ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi said on Tuesday that Beijing would welcome any officials from Taiwan for talks, as long as they accepted the principle enshrining Taiwan as an inalienable part of Chinese territory.

"Under the 'One China' principle we have long been promoting exchanges and cooperation between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits and the three direct links is actually an idea produced by our side," Sun told reporters.

Chen called for direct mail, transport and trade links with the mainland in the aftermath of his March election victory, and he has urged a direct summit meeting to resolve cross-Strait differences.

He reiterated the appeal over the weekend, calling for transport links by the end of the year and talks aimed at normalizing political and commercial relations.

Beijing has repeatedly insisted it will not hold any dialogue with the leader of Taiwan, considered by Beijing to be a breakaway province, until Chen formally embraces "One China".

While Chen has backed away from previous views espousing Taiwanese independence, he has also declined to accept "One China".

Foreign ministry spokesman Sun, speaking at a regular media briefing, said the same condition remained for any future talks.

"We welcome them to come to the mainland .... but there is one condition that the 'One China' principle must be upheld," he said.

The ban on the three direct links has been in place since 1949 after Taiwan and China split at the end of a bitter civil war which left the Communists in power on the mainland.

China regularly warns it has the right to invade Taiwan if the island stalls on reunification talks or moves towards independence.