こんにちは。フォックス淳子＠香港です。最近の中共は何と言うか、もう、「錯乱状態」です。金しか取り得のない男の断末魔と言うべきか。
台湾攻撃に続き「港独」（いねえよ、香港にそんなヤツ）封じで「市民の個人的な発言の自由」さえも違法とする世紀の悪法「統一法」立法化を画策中。と思えば今日は蔵独（チベット独立）糾弾キャンペーンを始めました。やっぱ亡命か？
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Beijing spurns chance for a cross-strait thaw
(Sunday Morning Post 2004.05.23 Editorial)
The conciliatory tone adopted by Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian in his inauguration speech offered some hope of an improvement in cross-strait relations. A similarly constructive response from the mainland might have paved the way for some progress.
The Foreign Ministry's dismissal of the speech as "deceptive" and its depiction of Mr Chen as "obstinate" is, therefore, disappointing. An opportunity to build bridges might well have been missed.
It is difficult to see how the Taiwanese president could have gone much further in his attempts to avoid provoking Beijing. His softened stance was in stark contrast to the fiery rhetoric used by Mr Chen during the recent election campaign.
The president stated clearly in his speech that plans for a new constitution in 2008 will not involve questions of sovereignty. He also renewed his pledge not to seek independence and suggested reunification might be possible in the future. Under pressure from the mainland and Washington, an olive branch was extended.
An indication of the extent to which Mr Chen was prepared to go in avoiding confrontation is provided by the reaction in Taiwan. Even his bitter rivals in the pan-blue camp admitted it would ease tensions. And there was an angry reaction from some of the president's pro-independence allies who believe the softer line involves breaking promises made during the election campaign.
The speech did not give the mainland all that it wanted. There was no ditching of the constitutional reform plans, nor acceptance of the one-China principle. That is hardly a surprise.
But it did demonstrate a willingness to step back from more provocative policies and engage in dialogue. This is the only sensible way in which progress can be made.
If Beijing has been prepared to focus on the positive - rather than the negative - aspects, it might have encouraged Mr Chen to develop his conciliatory line. Rejecting it out of hand, however, is more likely to make him wonder why he bothered. It is clear that the mainland does not trust Mr Chen. If progress is to be made, he will have to back his words with actions. But this will be all the more likely if Beijing is prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt.
This is a time when both the mainland and Taiwan need to tread carefully. Confidence-building measures are required.
Along with the stick wielded by Beijing before the speech last week, in the form of belligerent rhetoric, were also seven carrots. Benefits which could flow to Taiwan from acceptance of the one-China principle include a formal end to the state of hostility, military talks, closer economic ties, and possible membership of international bodies. This is something upon which to build.
The reunification law being prepared by Beijing will not help ease tensions. It is expected to provide a legal basis for an attack on Taiwan should certain circumstances arise.
Suggestions that Hong Kong might come within the ambit of the law are particularly worrying. They would not appear to be any need for this. Hong Kong is already part of China and hardly anyone in our city wants that position to change. There is no independence movement here.
Applying a national law on secession to Hong Kong might also breach Article 23 of the Basic Law. This requires Hong Kong to enact national security laws "on its own" - including those dealing with secession. The central government accepted last year that such laws should be introduced at a pace with which Hong Kong people are comfortable.
Differences on key issues will continue to pose major obstacles to an improvement in cross-straits relations. Constructive measures from both sides are needed if a solution is to be found.
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Junko FOX
台湾攻撃に続き「港独」（いねえよ、香港にそんなヤツ）封じで「市民の個人的な発言の自由」さえも違法とする世紀の悪法「統一法」立法化を画策中。と思えば今日は蔵独（チベット独立）糾弾キャンペーンを始めました。やっぱ亡命か？
---
Beijing spurns chance for a cross-strait thaw
(Sunday Morning Post 2004.05.23 Editorial)
The conciliatory tone adopted by Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian in his inauguration speech offered some hope of an improvement in cross-strait relations. A similarly constructive response from the mainland might have paved the way for some progress.
The Foreign Ministry's dismissal of the speech as "deceptive" and its depiction of Mr Chen as "obstinate" is, therefore, disappointing. An opportunity to build bridges might well have been missed.
It is difficult to see how the Taiwanese president could have gone much further in his attempts to avoid provoking Beijing. His softened stance was in stark contrast to the fiery rhetoric used by Mr Chen during the recent election campaign.
The president stated clearly in his speech that plans for a new constitution in 2008 will not involve questions of sovereignty. He also renewed his pledge not to seek independence and suggested reunification might be possible in the future. Under pressure from the mainland and Washington, an olive branch was extended.
An indication of the extent to which Mr Chen was prepared to go in avoiding confrontation is provided by the reaction in Taiwan. Even his bitter rivals in the pan-blue camp admitted it would ease tensions. And there was an angry reaction from some of the president's pro-independence allies who believe the softer line involves breaking promises made during the election campaign.
The speech did not give the mainland all that it wanted. There was no ditching of the constitutional reform plans, nor acceptance of the one-China principle. That is hardly a surprise.
But it did demonstrate a willingness to step back from more provocative policies and engage in dialogue. This is the only sensible way in which progress can be made.
If Beijing has been prepared to focus on the positive - rather than the negative - aspects, it might have encouraged Mr Chen to develop his conciliatory line. Rejecting it out of hand, however, is more likely to make him wonder why he bothered. It is clear that the mainland does not trust Mr Chen. If progress is to be made, he will have to back his words with actions. But this will be all the more likely if Beijing is prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt.
This is a time when both the mainland and Taiwan need to tread carefully. Confidence-building measures are required.
Along with the stick wielded by Beijing before the speech last week, in the form of belligerent rhetoric, were also seven carrots. Benefits which could flow to Taiwan from acceptance of the one-China principle include a formal end to the state of hostility, military talks, closer economic ties, and possible membership of international bodies. This is something upon which to build.
The reunification law being prepared by Beijing will not help ease tensions. It is expected to provide a legal basis for an attack on Taiwan should certain circumstances arise.
Suggestions that Hong Kong might come within the ambit of the law are particularly worrying. They would not appear to be any need for this. Hong Kong is already part of China and hardly anyone in our city wants that position to change. There is no independence movement here.
Applying a national law on secession to Hong Kong might also breach Article 23 of the Basic Law. This requires Hong Kong to enact national security laws "on its own" - including those dealing with secession. The central government accepted last year that such laws should be introduced at a pace with which Hong Kong people are comfortable.
Differences on key issues will continue to pose major obstacles to an improvement in cross-straits relations. Constructive measures from both sides are needed if a solution is to be found.
---
Junko FOX
