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http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/09/international/asia/09CND-BUSH.html?hp Bush Tells China Leader He Opposes Taiwan's Referendum By DAVID STOUT Published: December 9, 2003 WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 ─ As he sat in the Oval Office today with Prime Minister Wen Jiabao of China, President Bush repeated his warning to Taiwan not to provoke the Beijing government. The Chinese leader expressed his appreciation for Mr. Bush's stance. "We oppose any unilateral decision, by either China or Taiwan, to change the status quo," said Mr. Bush, who had earlier nudged Mr. Wen to do more to promote human rights in his country. "The comments and actions made by the leader of Taiwan indicate that he may be willing to make decisions unilaterally that change the status quo, which we oppose." Mr. Wen said that separatist activities on the island "are what the Chinese side can absolutely not accept and tolerate." He said he was committed to a "peaceful unification" of Taiwan and China "so long as there is a glimmer of hope." A moment later, he expressed gratitude toward President Bush for his handling of the issue. "We very much appreciate the position adopted by President Bush towards the latest news and developments in Taiwan ─ that is, the attempt to resort to referendum of various kinds as excuse to pursue Taiwan independence," he said. "We appreciate the position of the U.S. government ." The government on Taiwan made no public comment on Mr. Bush's appearance today with the Chinese premier. The Foreign Ministry said it would issue a statement at 10 a.m. Wednesday, which is 9 p.m. today Eastern time. President Bush was reiterating his statement of Monday, when he warned Taiwanese leaders not to hold a referendum calling for China to withdraw all missiles aimed at the island and renounce the use of force against it. President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan said the referendum, widely seen as stoking sentiment for independence, would nonetheless be held as scheduled on March 20. As he sat with Mr. Bush before a glowing White House fireplace with Christmas decorations in the background, Mr. Wen mixed smiles with finger-pointing . "Our fundamental policy on the settlement of the question of Taiwan is peaceful reunification and one country, two systems," the prime minister, China's third-ranking official, said through a translator. "We would do our utmost , with utmost sincerity, to bring about national unity and peaceful reunification through peaceful means." The prime minister said Beijing "respects the desire of people in Taiwan for democracy." But he added, "We must point out that the attempts of Taiwan authorities, headed by Chen Shui-bian, are only using democracy as an excuse and attempt to resort to defensive referendum to break Taiwan away from China." Prime Minister Wen's visit was one of high importance to both Beijing and Washington, as they made clear, both in their Oval Office appearance and a half-hour earlier, when Mr. Bush welcomed the prime minister on the South Lawn of the White House. "President Bush and I had an in-depth exchange of views on the China-U.S. relationship, and on national and regional issues of mutual interest," Mr . Wen said in the Oval Office. "The discussion took place under a very friendly , candid, cooperative and constructive atmosphere, and we reached consensus on many issues." Mr. Bush agreed that the private talks had been "very friendly and candid ." "Our relationship is good and strong, and we are determined to keep it that way for the good of our respective peoples and for the sake of peace and prosperity in the world," Mr. Bush said. Earlier, on the South Lawn, Mr. Bush described the United States and China as "partners in diplomacy," committed to stamping out terrorism and fostering stability on the Korean Peninsula. China's help in prodding North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions is crucial to Washington. Mr. Bush said the rise of China's economy, which is part of Mr. Wen's portfolio , was "one of the great achievements of our time." But a moment later, Mr. Bush delivered a pointed message: "The growth of economic freedom in China provides reason to hope that social, political and religious freedoms will grow there as well. In the long run, these freedoms are indivisible and essential to national greatness and national dignity ." The leaders of the two countries, so vastly different in tradition, history , geography and language, went out of their way to praise each other's peoples . "China is a great civilization, a great power and a great nation," Mr. Bush said on the South Lawn. Mr. Wen said he had brought with him "the sincere greetings and good wishes of the great Chinese people to the great American people." -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 128.2.62.78
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