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Cablegate: Media Reaction: Cross-Strait Relations

Published: Thu 27 Oct 2005 08:14 AM
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
270814Z Oct 05
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 004368
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - ERIC
BARBORIAK
DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS
1. SUMMARY: Taiwan dailies October 27 focused on
legislative amendments regarding pensions for Taiwan farmers
that will be passed in the Legislative Yuan before the year-
end elections (December 3), and Taiwan's reaction to
Senegal's resumption of diplomatic ties with China.
Taiwan's Foreign Minister Mark Chen said Wednesday in the
Legislative Yuan that he felt "cheated" by Senegal, because
Senegal had promised that China's economic activity in the
country would not influence its diplomatic relations with
Taiwan. Taiwan's National Security Bureau Director-General
Hsueh Shih-ming said Wednesday in the Legislative Yuan that
Taiwan is at risk of losing every country that has
diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
2. Editorials and Commentaries: pro-independence "Liberty
Times" editorialized that it is a farce for China to
celebrate the "Taiwan Retrocession Day" and to take away
Senegal from Taiwan on the same day. The centrist, pro
status-quo "China Times" used the `domino theory' to
forecast problems facing Taiwan regarding diplomatic ties.
The pro-independence "Taiwan Daily" said the case of Senegal
may not be exceptional, and urged government agencies to
prevent similar cases from happening. END SUMMARY
1. "`Celebrating the Retrocession of Taiwan?' This is a
Farce"
1. The pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation:
600,000] editorialized (10/27):
". China, on one hand, echoed with the pan-Blue alliance [in
Taiwan] to celebrate the so-called `Taiwan Retrocession
Day.' On the other hand, it paid a high price to buy off
Senegal in an attempt to undermine the foundation of
Taiwan's diplomacy and to constrain Taiwan's space in the
international community. .
". The People's Republic of China, established by the
Chinese Communist Party in 1949, and Taiwan constitute two
parallel lines that have no intersections in terms of
history. It is therefore a farce [for China] to celebrate
the 60th anniversary of the retrocession of Taiwan. . What
makes it seem more ridiculous is that China announced the
resumption of diplomatic ties with Senegal on the so-called
`Taiwan Retrocession Day.' ."
2. "Warnings of the `Domino Theory' [for Taiwan] Forecasted
by Senegal's Turning to China"
The centrist, pro-status quo "China Times" [circulation:
400,000] editorialized (10/27):
". [I]n terms of regional politics, Senegal is a not bad
country in Africa, and it could have a diplomatic `domino
effect' toward the neighboring countries, Gambia and Burkina
Faso, that have diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Moreover,
China will strengthen its movements to lure countries that
have diplomatic ties with Taiwan to turn to China. . Taiwan
should therefore consolidate the diplomatic front not only
in Africa, but also in Latin America, South America, and the
Oceania in order to prevent the next domino from falling.
". Taiwan is facing an even harsher situation in its
relation with foreign countries. The reason is not because
China may become rich, but that China may emerge as a real
world power politically and economically. Every country
therefore wants to get connected with China. Hence,
problems facing Taiwan do not lie not developing more ties
with other countries, but whether or not Taiwan can find a
space for its survival in the new international situation.
."
3. "Senegal's Resumption of Relations with China Shows that
China is Trying to Block By All Means Taiwan`s Space in the
International Community. The Ruling Authorities Should
Consider How to Solve this Problem."
The pro-independence "Taiwan Daily" [circulation: 150,000]
said in its editorial (10/27):
". We consider that the case of Senegal cannot be viewed as
a single case; it should, however, be viewed as a warning
for the performance of Taiwan's overall diplomatic work. .
". In the face of China's comprehensive `warfare' against
Taiwan and Taiwan's diplomatic fiasco, the [Taiwan]
government should carry out a thorough review of Taiwan's
foreign affairs policies. Agencies of foreign affairs and
national security should work hand in hand to imagine all
the possibilities, and prevent these possibilities from
happening. ."
KEEGAN
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