President Hu's Visit Series: Both Mainland China and Taiwan appreciate Bush’s Attitude
Opposite Interpretations from Two Sides
By Shi Rui
Chinese President Hu Jintao met U.S. President George W. Bush at the White House on April 20, 2006, and the summit meeting attracted the attention of media all around the world, especially those in mainland China and Taiwan. Actually, the news hit the headlines in nearly all the Taiwan mainstream press. For every person in China, it was common sense that the Taiwan problem would be raised and discussed again during the meeting, since it has always been the most sensitive issue in the Sino-U.S relationship.
It is reported that President Bush mentioned the Taiwan problem initially when he gave the welcome speech on the White House's South Lawn. President Bush reiterated U.S. commitment to peace across the Taiwan Strait. Bush said that the U.S. would uphold its 'one China' policy based on the three Sino-US communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act and remained opposed to any side unilaterally changing the status quo, and that Taiwan's future must be resolved peacefully.
"This shows that the U.S. policy remains consistent and unchanged. This shows that the U.S. takes the issue of peace in the Taiwan Strait seriously and remains committed to preserving that peace," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Media in mainland China took the statement as opposition to the independence of Taiwan. Some Taiwan media and Taiwanese interpreted it quite differently.
China Daily, as well as other newspapers in mainland China, published the report on Taiwan with titles like "Presidents: No Taiwan Independence" or things alike. The lead in China Daily’s version was "WASHINGTON -- US President George W. Bush reiterated opposition to Taiwan independence on Thursday and called for the avoidance of 'confrontational and provocative' actions that will destroy stability across the Taiwan Straits."
Apart from reporting on the summit, Chinese media also paid attention to the reports on the same issue in the Taiwanese newspapers, and one report done by a Chinese journalist claimed that many Taiwanese media titled their reports with expressions like "Bush: No Support on Taiwan Independence."
"Taiwan watched nervously as Bush and Hu held their summit at the White House, fearing that Bush might publicly criticize President Chen Shui-bian. Although Bush did not say he was opposed to Taiwanese independence, he did say that he did not support it. Analysts in Taiwan pointed out that Bush saying 'I do not support' did not amount to a declaration of opposition," reported the Taipei Times, Apr. 22, 2006 in the article Taiwan Welcomes Bush Remarks.
Several interviews done by the reporter of the Taipei Times showed that many Taiwanese officials held an optimistic attitude towards President Bush's speech. Many thought Bush's remark that "We [the U.S.] believe the future of Taiwan should be resolved peacefully" dealt a severe blow to China's "Anti-secession" Law and they claimed to appreciate Bush's support for Taiwan's democracy.
Earlier this year, Mr. Chen Shui-bian announced the termination of the National Unification Council and the National Unification Platform, which was viewed by the Chinese government as a behavior that "hit the bottom line." The Chinese government made its reaction to Mr. Chen's announcement in 24 hours and warned Chen Shui-bian not to go too far.
Both mainland China and Mr. Chen Shui-bian expected to get a clear idea of the standing point of the U.S. after Chen's big move, and ironically, it seems that both sides are satisfied now.
By Shi Rui
Chinese President Hu Jintao met U.S. President George W. Bush at the White House on April 20, 2006, and the summit meeting attracted the attention of media all around the world, especially those in mainland China and Taiwan. Actually, the news hit the headlines in nearly all the Taiwan mainstream press. For every person in China, it was common sense that the Taiwan problem would be raised and discussed again during the meeting, since it has always been the most sensitive issue in the Sino-U.S relationship.
It is reported that President Bush mentioned the Taiwan problem initially when he gave the welcome speech on the White House's South Lawn. President Bush reiterated U.S. commitment to peace across the Taiwan Strait. Bush said that the U.S. would uphold its 'one China' policy based on the three Sino-US communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act and remained opposed to any side unilaterally changing the status quo, and that Taiwan's future must be resolved peacefully.
"This shows that the U.S. policy remains consistent and unchanged. This shows that the U.S. takes the issue of peace in the Taiwan Strait seriously and remains committed to preserving that peace," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Media in mainland China took the statement as opposition to the independence of Taiwan. Some Taiwan media and Taiwanese interpreted it quite differently.
China Daily, as well as other newspapers in mainland China, published the report on Taiwan with titles like "Presidents: No Taiwan Independence" or things alike. The lead in China Daily’s version was "WASHINGTON -- US President George W. Bush reiterated opposition to Taiwan independence on Thursday and called for the avoidance of 'confrontational and provocative' actions that will destroy stability across the Taiwan Straits."
Apart from reporting on the summit, Chinese media also paid attention to the reports on the same issue in the Taiwanese newspapers, and one report done by a Chinese journalist claimed that many Taiwanese media titled their reports with expressions like "Bush: No Support on Taiwan Independence."
"Taiwan watched nervously as Bush and Hu held their summit at the White House, fearing that Bush might publicly criticize President Chen Shui-bian. Although Bush did not say he was opposed to Taiwanese independence, he did say that he did not support it. Analysts in Taiwan pointed out that Bush saying 'I do not support' did not amount to a declaration of opposition," reported the Taipei Times, Apr. 22, 2006 in the article Taiwan Welcomes Bush Remarks.
Several interviews done by the reporter of the Taipei Times showed that many Taiwanese officials held an optimistic attitude towards President Bush's speech. Many thought Bush's remark that "We [the U.S.] believe the future of Taiwan should be resolved peacefully" dealt a severe blow to China's "Anti-secession" Law and they claimed to appreciate Bush's support for Taiwan's democracy.
Earlier this year, Mr. Chen Shui-bian announced the termination of the National Unification Council and the National Unification Platform, which was viewed by the Chinese government as a behavior that "hit the bottom line." The Chinese government made its reaction to Mr. Chen's announcement in 24 hours and warned Chen Shui-bian not to go too far.
Both mainland China and Mr. Chen Shui-bian expected to get a clear idea of the standing point of the U.S. after Chen's big move, and ironically, it seems that both sides are satisfied now.
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