Mainland Affairs Council--Press Release
September 16, 2007, No. 79
China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) today (September 16, 2007) made malicious
criticism against a protest march held in Taiwan to support Taiwan's referendum
on joining the United Nations (UN). In response, the MAC expresses strong
protest over the TAOs statement. The MAC indicates that the Taiwanese peoples
spontaneous march held on September 15, 2007 has received a high degree of
international attention, and various sectors of the global community have
gradually understood the resolve of the Taiwanese people to seek UN membership
by peaceful, rational and democratic means. The Chinese authorities, however,
have repeatedly disregarded the reality and public opinion response in Taiwan,
in an attempt to muddle-headedly fabricate erroneous lies and spread
misunderstanding and erroneous information to mislead the international
community. China is the very culprit that brings cross-strait relations to a
dangerous brink.
The MAC emphasizes that the Chinese authorities are unable to face up to the
fact that Taiwan pursues democracy and wants to join the international
community. Over recent times, Beijing has spared no efforts to vilify and defame
Taiwan's referendum on UN membership in the international arena and in
cross-strait activities through various channels. It has intentionally sought to
drive a wedge into Taiwans society and to obstruct the international community
from supporting Taiwan. The MAC indicates that Chinas wishful attempts to treat
the Taiwanese peoples democratically-elected president as someone alienated
from Taiwans public opinion will not only be proven futile, but will also
expose China's ignorance of democracy. The September 15 march only further
demonstrates that the ruling and opposition political parties and general public
in Taiwan are not afraid of China's threats and intimidation, and that they have
taken actions to show support for Taiwan's resolve to join the UN. The Chinese
authorities should clearly realize this fact, accept the status quo that Taiwan
is an independent sovereign country as early as possible, and respect the basic
rights of the Taiwanese people to decide the future of their country.
The MAC reiterates that China has not only incessantly increased its military
deployment against Taiwan in recent times, but it has also actively attempted to
conduct anti-Taiwan military exercises in its neighboring areas. Such actions
have already seriously sabotaged regional peace and the stability of
cross-strait relations. China has under various pretexts suppressed Taiwan's
efforts to join the UN, which is simply aimed at securing an excuse for pursuing
regional hegemony and annexing Taiwan. The MAC indicates that the September 15
march is not only a reflection of the fact that the Taiwanese people have taken
the initiative in demonstrating their collective will, but it is also a concrete
appeal to protest China's incessant military threats against Taiwan's democracy.
In March next year, the Taiwanese people will further demonstrate Taiwan's
resolve to join the UN by democratic means. The MAC urges that the Chinese
authorities not be afraid of democracy and not misjudge public opinion in
Taiwan. China should immediately stop its provocative actions of militarily
threatening and internationally suppressing Taiwan. Otherwise, China will bear
the serious consequences of its own erroneous policies.