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Chen at odds with China and U.S.

From CNN Senior Asia Correspondent Mike Chinoy

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Officials say Chen will take a conciliatory line in his post-inauguration speech.
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TAIPEI, China (CNN) -- Taiwan president Chen Shui-bian's campaign platform to make Taipei more independent from mainland China has put him at odds with both Beijing and Washington.

His victory -- by the narrowest of margins and hotly contested -- puts him under intense international pressure.

The U.S. is Taiwan's main ally and arms supplier and is mandated by law to supply the island region with defensive weapons.

The White House as recently as Tuesday rebuked China for its strident language towards Taiwan, including the threat of using force to resolve their differences. (U.S. rebukes China)

But Washington is fearful of being drawn into a conflict with China triggered by Chen's pro-independence moves and have put pressure on the president to calm things down.

American officials have used unusually blunt language to warn Chen to cool it.

"There are limits to what the U.S. will support as Taiwan considers changes to is constitution," deputy director of the American Institute in Taiwan, David Keegan, told CNN.

On the other side, Beijing is demanding he accept the principle that Taiwan is part of China or face war.

Analysts in Taiwan believe that is not a step Chen is willing to take.

"It's very difficult for him to come back to 'one China' because he has already defined 'one China' as surrendering to China," political analyst Emile Sheng said.

The international pressure, according to officials, will likely sway Chen to take a conciliatory tone in his post-inauguration speech.

But on matters of substance, it is far from clear anything he says will ease the anxiety in Washington of the growing anger in Beijing.


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