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China reiterates tough stance on Taiwan talks
China on Monday again insisted its preconditions for talks with Taiwan on mutual relations were non-negotiable, in another sign a deadlock between the two foes is unlikely to be solved soon.
China on Monday again insisted its preconditions for talks with Taiwan on mutual relations were non-negotiable, in another sign a deadlock between the two foes is unlikely to be solved soon.
The country's senior official dealing with cross-Straits ties also warned that a continued Taiwanese refusal to agree to the conditions would "poison" relations, the official Xinhua news agency said Monday. This would "eventually damage the interests of Taiwan compatriots", said Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, China's cabinet.
The long-running dispute centres on the so-called "one China" principle laid down by Beijing, which decrees that Taiwan remains an integral part of Chinese territory, despite more than 50 years of de facto independence.
Taiwan, ruled since last year by President Chen Shui-bian of the pro-independence Democractic Progressive Party (DPP), has refused to accept the notion, to the evident annoyance of Beijing. The position of those in Taiwan opposed to mainland rule was strengthened by a general election this month which saw the DPP become the largest party in parliament, with the pro-reunification Kuomintang, or Nationalists, losing control of the chamber for the first time.
Speaking on Sunday, Chen Yunlin said Beijing would authorise the mainland's semi-official body which makes contact with Taipei to resume dialogue -- but only if the island gives in on the "one China" issue.
China was steadfast on this condition, he told a reception to mark the 10th anniversary of the dialogue body, the Association for Relations Across Taiwan Straits.
"Our position of adhering to the 'One China' principle is unswerving," Chen was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
Talks between the two have been frozen since 1995, when they were called off by China in protest against a visit to the United States by then-Taiwan president Lee Teng-hui.
Relations have become more deeply deadlocked since President Chen came to power, with China repeatedly threatening military intervention if he declares formal independence for the island.
The prominence given to Chen's comments reinforcing China's tough line in state press -- it was the lead story in Monday's China Daily and also heavily covered by main party mouthpiece the People's Daily -- shows imminent rapprochement remains unlikely.
Analysts have said neither side is likely to budge before next autumn's Communist Party Congress, which is expected to decide on a new generation of Chinese leaders.
Taiwan separated from the mainland in 1949 when Nationalist forces under Chiang Kai-shek fled there following defeat to communist forces in China's civil war.
Bureau Report
The country's senior official dealing with cross-Straits ties also warned that a continued Taiwanese refusal to agree to the conditions would "poison" relations, the official Xinhua news agency said Monday. This would "eventually damage the interests of Taiwan compatriots", said Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, China's cabinet.
The long-running dispute centres on the so-called "one China" principle laid down by Beijing, which decrees that Taiwan remains an integral part of Chinese territory, despite more than 50 years of de facto independence.
Taiwan, ruled since last year by President Chen Shui-bian of the pro-independence Democractic Progressive Party (DPP), has refused to accept the notion, to the evident annoyance of Beijing. The position of those in Taiwan opposed to mainland rule was strengthened by a general election this month which saw the DPP become the largest party in parliament, with the pro-reunification Kuomintang, or Nationalists, losing control of the chamber for the first time.
Speaking on Sunday, Chen Yunlin said Beijing would authorise the mainland's semi-official body which makes contact with Taipei to resume dialogue -- but only if the island gives in on the "one China" issue.
China was steadfast on this condition, he told a reception to mark the 10th anniversary of the dialogue body, the Association for Relations Across Taiwan Straits.
"Our position of adhering to the 'One China' principle is unswerving," Chen was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
Talks between the two have been frozen since 1995, when they were called off by China in protest against a visit to the United States by then-Taiwan president Lee Teng-hui.
Relations have become more deeply deadlocked since President Chen came to power, with China repeatedly threatening military intervention if he declares formal independence for the island.
The prominence given to Chen's comments reinforcing China's tough line in state press -- it was the lead story in Monday's China Daily and also heavily covered by main party mouthpiece the People's Daily -- shows imminent rapprochement remains unlikely.
Analysts have said neither side is likely to budge before next autumn's Communist Party Congress, which is expected to decide on a new generation of Chinese leaders.
Taiwan separated from the mainland in 1949 when Nationalist forces under Chiang Kai-shek fled there following defeat to communist forces in China's civil war.
Bureau Report