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Visiting Taiwan, Clinton Irritates Pro-Independence Groups and China
By Patrick Goodenough
CNSNews.com International Editor
March 2, 2005
Page 2 of 2
On an earlier visit to the Asia-Pacific in 2002, Clinton also upset many Taiwanese when he gave a paid speech to a pro-Beijing conference in Sydney, Australia.
Speaking at the World Congress on the Peaceful Reunification of China, Clinton said that a process of reunification of Taiwan was "moving in the right direction."
The conference participants later issued a declaration denouncing what they said was a "breakaway scheme" on the part of pro-independence elements in Taiwan "aided by foreign forces."
The Taipei Times at the time denounced Clinton, accusing him of "selling out his integrity" by "publicly embracing the unification propaganda of China, a country notorious for human-rights violations."
"His speech conveniently ignored the fact that the people of Taiwan reject unification and that they have a right to decide their own future," the paper editorialized.
Notwithstanding that episode, Taiwan's foreign ministry spokesman said Monday the former president's visit was important and would help raise the country's profile internationally.
Spokesman Michael Lu said the ministry would continue to invite political figures from countries friendly to Taiwan to visit.
Beijing strongly opposes anything that could be seen as legitimizing the Taiwanese government.
Speaking before Clinton's brief visit, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan reminded the former president of "China's solemn position on the Taiwan question."
"He should know how to act to honor a series of promises that the past U.S. governments, including his, made to the Chinese government on the Taiwan question," Kong said, adding that those included sticking to the "one-China" policy and opposing Taiwan's independence.
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