Reactions from Taiwan to President George W Bush's comments

(26 Apr 2001) 1. Wide of office building 2. Close up of Taiwan national flag 3. People entering building 4. SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin) Voxpop "Basically, I think we need a third country to help Taiwan and China solve disputes peacefully and unite together eventually." 5. SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin) Voxpop "It will be great that the U-S can protect Taiwan with their advanced weapons. But, I am worried that tensions between the two sides will increase. That's something we need to take into consideration." 6. SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin) Voxpop "I believe this will bring negative effect to cross strait relations. On the one hand, Bush's words gave Taiwan more bargaining chips. But on the other hand, Taiwan became a pawn between the two superpowers. Taiwan can only act passively." 7. Various local newspaper headlines STORYLINE: U-S President George W. Bush's bold comments about Taiwan provoked quick reactions of concern Thursday in Asia. In an unusually blunt warning to Beijing, Bush told Associated Press Television on Wednesday that U-S military force is "certainly an option" if China acts on its long-standing threats and strikes Taiwan. The two sides split amid civil war in 1949, and China is pushing for reunification. Bush issued an even sterner warning in an earlier television interview with ABC's "Good Morning America," saying that America has an obligation to defend Taiwan if China attacks. China had no immediate comment about Bush's comments. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry was also silent, and it was not likely that the Taiwanese would issue a statement. To avoid inciting China, the Taiwanese government traditionally remains low key in the wake of favourable developments or diplomatic victories. Bush made his comments as U-S-China tensions were on the rise. Relations became strained this month after a collision between a U-S spy plane and a Chinese jet fighter over the South China Sea. The Chinese pilot died, and China has refused to return the U-S plane that landed on China's southern Hainan Island. Last week, Washington approved a U-S visa for former Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui, who is despised in Beijing. This week, Bush further angered China by approving the sale of destroyers, submarines and other advanced weapons for Taiwan. But Bush's comments made the front-pages of Taiwan's leading papers and they were broadcast at the top of TV newscasts. In the past, U-S presidents have maintained a deliberately vague Taiwan-China policy. The Hong Kong Economic Journal said Bush's blunt comments were a "huge change" that "would have far reaching consequences and poses a big challenge to China." Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...