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.