Skip to main content
CNN.com International
The Web    CNN.com      Powered by
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ON TV
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
World

Chen hopes for U.S. support

Chen: China should
Chen: China should "immediately withdraw missiles targeting Taiwan, and also publicly renounce the use of force against Taiwan."

Story Tools

start quoteWe demand that the People's Republic of China immediately withdraw the missiles targeting Taiwanend quote
-- President Chen
more video VIDEO
Excerpt from CNN's exclusive interview with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
premium content
QUICKVOTE
Should Taiwan go ahead with its planned anti-missile referendum?
Yes
No
VIEW RESULTS
YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS
Shui-bian Chen
Taiwan
China
United States

TAIPEI, Taiwan (CNN) -- Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian says he believes the United States will eventually support his planned referendum on China's missile threat because, he argues, it is in line with American democratic values.

Chen's defiance in proceeding with the March vote comes after a stinging rebuke from U.S. President George W. Bush, who warned the Taiwan leader not to go ahead with the referendum as it may upset delicate Taiwan-China relations.

The warning -- made after Bush met Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at the White House earlier this week -- was described by analysts as the toughest American language used against a Taiwanese leader in decades.

But Chen has stood firm and defended his plans to hold an "anti-missile, anti-war" vote on the presidential election day scheduled for March 20 -- a ballot that would demand China reduce its military threat against the island.

"When Bush made the above said comments, he also at the same time told the premier that he opposes any use of force against Taiwan," Chen told CNN Senior Asia Correspondent Mike Chinoy in an interview.

"On behalf of the 23 million people of Taiwan, I want to emphasize again that we do not intend to change the status quo, and I think our stance and direction is in accordance with the Bush administration," Chen said.

Chen also said Taiwan demanded China immediately withdraw the hundreds of missiles targeting the island and renounce the use of force against it.

"This message is very clear and it certainly has no bearings on the unification or independence issues and I think the U.S. government understands this. And it's very clear that what they are concerned about, what they worry about, would not happen."

The Bush administration, Beijing, and many analysts suspect Chen's push for the controversial vote is designed to drum up anti-China sentiment, boost Chen's reelection bid and set a precedent for future referendums that could lead to independence, CNN's Chinoy reported.

However, Chen said the U.S. should respect the people of Taiwan in their pursuit of democracy and their right to hold referendums.

"Taiwan and the United States are an alliance of democracy, universal values of human rights and freedom. The United States of America should respect the wishes of the Taiwan people to pursue democracy and defend peace, and reject missile threats and war, and should not see these gestures as provocative."

Though Taiwan argues a missile referendum does not violate Chen's pledge not to press for independence during his term as leader, the plans have infuriated Beijing which fears the ballot would pave the way for an eventual vote on independence.

China -- which regards Taiwan as a renegade province that must eventually reunify with the mainland, by force if necessary -- has accused Chen of hijacking the platform of democracy to disguise a push for independence.

Beijing has hailed Wen's visit as a success.
Beijing has hailed Wen's visit as a success.

"The purpose of the so-called defensive referendum that Chen Shui-bian has been going after is to undermine the status quo ... In fact, the democracy is just a disguise, an excuse. And so his efforts look to be quite deceptive," China's Premier Wen Jiabao said in an exclusive interview on CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight" Thursday.

"However we firmly oppose the attempts by certain separatist forces in Taiwan to pursue Taiwan independence under the disguise of promoting democracy in an attempt to cut off Taiwan from the mainland." (Full story | Transcript)

In another decision that could upset China, Chen has chosen Vice President Annette Lu as his running partner in the upcoming presidential elections.

Lu's strong pro-independence stance has led China's state media to brand her a traitor.

Her confirmation as Chen's running mate ends months of speculation Chen would drop the outspoken Lu, who has scored poorly in support ratings.


Story Tools
Click Here to try 4 Free Trial Issues of Time! cover
Top Stories
Iran poll to go to run-off
Top Stories
EU 'crisis' after summit failure
 
 
 
 

CNN US
On CNN TV E-mail Services CNN Mobile CNN AvantGo CNNtext Ad info Preferences
SEARCH
   The Web    CNN.com     
Powered by
© 2005 Cable News Network LP, LLLP.
A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines. Contact us.
external link
All external sites will open in a new browser.
CNN.com does not endorse external sites.
 Premium content icon Denotes premium content.