China’s Policy On Taiwan, Politics and Economic Separation

On December 25, China’s president, Hu Jintao, made his policy clear that he would separate politics from economics in relations with Taiwan. According to this, he will firmly cope with Taiwan’s movement for independence, but will also strengthen economic exchange with Taiwan.

On the same day at People’s Council House in Beijing, Mr. Hu told a group of approximately 90 chairmen of Taiwanese firms investing in various areas of China, “Although China is committed to peaceful unification, it will not tolerate acts for Taiwan’s independence.”

Mr. Hu’s words clarify that he will show a flexible attitude on economic issues, regardless of the tension rising as Taiwan’s president, Chen Shui-bian, declares he will continue to pursue a referendum ahead of its presidential election in March of next year.

Mr. Hu indirectly called on Taiwanese businessmen to support China’s unification policy, saying, “As Taiwanese brothers, you have glorious patriarchic traditions and are expected to contribute to peaceful unification of the motherland and the great rehabilitation of the Chinese people.”

On the other hand, spokesman Lyu Jian-chao of the Foreign Ministry issued a strong protest regarding the former prime minister of Japan, Mori Yosiro’s, visit to Taiwan and meeting with Mr. Chen on December 25. His visit to Taiwan is the second one by a former prime minister of Japan since the two nations broke off foreign relations in 1972. The first visit was made by Hukuta Takeo in 1992.

Yoo-Sung Hwang yshwang@donga.com