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China rules out Taiwan joining UN agencies
Beijing (AFP) Aug 28, 2008 China on Thursday ruled out Taiwan joining agencies of the United Nations, frustrating hopes that its stance might soften after the island elected a more China-friendly president earlier this year. Taiwan this month launched a bid to join the 16 UN Specialised Agencies instead of seeking membership of the world body itself, but the Chinese foreign ministry said it would not accept the attempted compromise. "As everyone knows, the UN and its specialised agencies are organisations made up of the governments of sovereign nations," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said. "There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China," he told reporters. China and Taiwan have been governed separately since the end of a civil war in 1949, but Beijing still considers the island part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary. Taiwan lost its UN seat to China in 1971, and Beijing has blocked its past 15 attempts to return to the world body. When Ma Ying-jeou of Taiwan's relatively China-friendly Kuomintang party won the presidential election and took office in May this year, it was seen as a chance for warming ties. The two sides have moved to improve relations, for example by opening up direct flights between the two sides. Taiwan also has allowed a larger number of Chinese tourists to visit the island. After Taiwan's allies submitted the proposal to the UN General Assembly on August 14 to allow its "meaningful participation" in the agencies, the island expressed hope China would accept it in line with the apparent warming in ties. "We are taking a more pragmatic approach this year by seeking to join the 16 agencies under the UN instead of the top body itself," Taiwan foreign ministry spokesman Henry Chen said. "We think this bid is more acceptable and we hope China can show goodwill amid improving ties so that Taiwan can participate in UN activities in health, humanitarian and other areas." Some observers had said China's attitude to Taiwan's presence at UN agencies would be a test to see whether cross-strait relations really had improved. Related Links Taiwan News at SinoDaily.com
Taiwan to push ahead with US arms purchases: Ma
Taipei (AFP) Aug 11, 2008Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou Monday said his administration would push ahead with plans to purchase arms from ally Washington while trying to improve ties with traditional rival China. |
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