Taiwan, China resume talks in Beijing

Taiwan officials arrive in Beijing Wednesday for talks

In this story:

• First round to break the ice
• 'The U.S. role is important'
• Talks importance is symbolic
• 'Ignorant people'

April 23, 1998
Web posted at: 12:22 a.m. EDT (0422 GMT)

BEIJING (CNN) -- Negotiators from China and Taiwan on Thursday opened the first official talks between the two rivals in nearly three years, a Chinese official said.

So delicate is the relationship between the ideological enemies that the initial meeting involves the leaders of semi-official foundations whose mission is to do little more than break the ice and set the stage for future negotiations.

Jan Jyh-horng, the head of the delegation from Taiwan's semi-official Straits Exchange Foundation, began meeting with Li Yafei of the Beijing-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait at a hotel on Beijing's west side for two days of talks.

China was allowing no international media coverage of the closed-door session, the first of at least two rounds scheduled for Thursday, the Beijing official told the Reuters news agency.

"The objective of this visit is very clear," said a statement released by Jan upon his arrival in Beijing Wednesday. "It is for the representatives of the two organizations to exchange views and make detailed arrangements on matters concerning communication and visits."

The statement continues to say that, "Although relations between the two sides have experienced setbacks in the past, we hope in the future both sides can, with mutual and sincere efforts, bid farewell to a harsh winter and embrace spring."

"This is a gratifying development," the statement said. "We hope this visit signifies a good new beginning."

Although they split politically after a civil war in 1949, Beijing still claims sovereignty over Taiwan, which it regards as a renegade province. Taiwan, meanwhile, has sought to join international organizations as China's equal.

China once held missile drills in the Taiwan Strait

'The U.S. role is important'

The two sides have not met since 33 months ago, when Beijing angrily broke off negotiations after Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui made a private but high-profile visit to the United States in 1995.

Beijing has threatened to invade Taiwan if it declares independence, and its military tried to intimidate Taiwan with eight months of war games near the island after Lee's trip.

The United States responded by sending an aircraft carrier into the area to keep the Chinese at bay.

Both Taiwan and China are feeling pressured to improve relations. Analysts say the two governments want to show their willingness to ease confrontation, especially before U.S. President Bill Clinton's visit to China in June.

China considers Taiwan to be a renegade province

"We think the U.S. role is important," says Tao Wenzhao of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "Better Sino-American relations will enhance the solution of the Taiwan issue."

The Chinese government has watched with alarm as the Taiwanese have continued to elect politicians who want Taiwan to be independent rather than reunify with China. The Chinese hope the United States will help discourage that trend.

"Taiwan is drifting towards the opposite direction of reunification," said Tao. "That's why we feel some urgency. We have to stop that trend."

Talks importance is symbolic

Taiwan initially offered to send its top negotiator, Koo Chen-fu, but decided to send Jan instead when Beijing indicated it preferred to start talks at a lower level.

Beijing said Koo could visit at an "appropriate time," and analysts have said this week's meetings could set the stage for talks between Koo and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Dao-han.

Analysts said the talks would do little more than break the ice between the two countries.

"There is more symbolic importance than substance," said one Western diplomat. "The main thing they will discuss is future contacts."

Some Taiwanese politicians seek independence

Sheu Ke-sheng, vice chairman of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, told reporters the visit is "the inevitable result of both sides realizing the need to face and solve the problems that concern the people on both sides of the strait."

Hailing the discussions as "a cause for celebration," Jan said his visit followed two years and 10 months of "continuous efforts and appeals."

"We look forward to this meeting marking a fresh and positive start for both sides," Jan said.

'Ignorant people'

The Chinese government agreed to drop its insistence that Taiwan discuss reunification during the talks, a critical concession that made the visit possible.

Taiwan wants the talks to resume with less sensitive topics that could create a climate leading to discussions on political matters.

China's official People's Daily called on Taiwan Wednesday to ease its ban on direct shipping, mail and telecommunications links with China, calling the controls the work of "ignorant people."

But the Taiwanese government has held up removing the ban, seeing it as its last card in negotiations with its giant adversary.

Beijing Bureau Chief Rebecca MacKinnon and Reuters contributed to this report.

Related stories:

• China's 'boss' being promoted to premier - March 9, 1998
• Jiang urges China move closer to capitalism - September 12, 1997

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• Inside China Today

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